What is an RN to BSN program?

Registered Nurses, or RNs, have strong career prospects — but those career prospects could expand further with the acquisition of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or a BSN. Fortunately, going from an RN to a BSN is a natural progression that is enabled by the online nursing program at Colorado Technical University (CTU). What is an RN to BSN program, exactly? It's a bold professional step that has the potential to take your career to the next level.

Why Should I Attend a BSN Program?

CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program is designed for registered nurses who are seeking to expand their knowledge and skills. A BSN can offer students more options thanks to training in a more diverse array of clinical situations as well as administrative leadership. A BSN program can also help students care for a wider range of patients as well as prepare them for the rigors of leadership in the nursing profession.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that, while licensed Registered Nurses with an Associate degree or a diploma may qualify for entry-level positions, there are employers that may require RNs to have earned a Bachelor’s degree.¹ Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can widen an RN's career opportunities; with a strong education, excellent performance, and a thorough dedication to the field, RNs with a BSN degree may be able to move into management or a business-oriented role within the healthcare industry.

What are Key Skills the BSN Program Aims to Teach?

While attending the program will provide a broad education, some of the key things that students will learn at CTU include:

The ability to work effectively as part of a team of healthcare professionals.
The ability to effectively help patients, not only medically, but by leveraging knowledge of healthcare trends, financing, and regulations to assist them.
The ability to create and implement ideas for making healthcare safer and more effective.
The ability to lead others and communicate the needs of patients in a variety of medical situations.
The ability to effectively educate patients about their condition and how to live with their condition.

In short, acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is meant to provide a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry in general and expertise in the nursing profession in particular. It has the potential to open up a new world of employment opportunities for even experienced Registered Nurses.

What is the Job Outlook?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for Registered Nurses are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate through 2022.² BLS identifies several reasons for the positive job outlook for Registered Nurses, including:

Nurses are needed to help educate patients and families on how to live with conditions such as diabetes, dementia, and arthritis.
Due to national healthcare reforms, access to healthcare services is expanding.
Many older patients prefer to receive treatment at home or in other non-traditional settings, which will bolster the need for capable RNs in non-hospital settings.
Many nurses are expected to retire in the coming years, and they will need to have new RNs fill their shoes.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that, "Generally, registered nurses with at least a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) will have better job prospects than those without one." ³

What is Required to Enroll in an RN to BSN Program?

To attend the RN to BSN program at CTU, you must:

Possess an unencumbered license to practice as an RN in the U.S.
Have an Associate Degree in Nursing or, a diploma from a Registered Nurse Program, or be registered in an educational transition program in preparation to become a licensed RN.
International students are required to have a TOEFL score of at least 500, or at least 213 on the computer-based exam.

How Can I Enroll in an RN to BSN Program?

The first step is to apply for admission online and speak with an Admissions Advisor, with whom you will have a conversation about your goals and what you hope to achieve. They will also be able to field any questions you may have.

So what is an RN to BSN program? It's a way to expand your knowledge of the field and elevate your nursing career to the next level. It can open the door to a world of new opportunities that may not have been available without a Bachelor degree. It can also enhance your ability to care for patients and provide exceptional healthcare to those in need.

Learn more about CTU’s RN to BSN program.

^1-3Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (viewed on September 6, 2015)