The most rigorous training method for achieving the status of registered nurse is a baccalaureate degree in nursing, also known as a BSN. While most people believe that registered nurses have a bachelor’s degree in science, this isn’t always the case. A registered nurse (RN) can be educated at a community or junior college or at a private nursing school.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, like all four-year degrees, does not focus solely on the classes that will earn the candidate RN status. Instead, students must typically complete 60 units of general education requirements as well as 60-64 units of nursing education. Because of this nurse’s advanced education, he or she may be more likely to obtain supervisory positions at larger hospitals, as well as slightly higher pay.
A baccalaureate degree in nursing is not for everyone. Because nurses are in such high demand, being able to obtain an education faster through a nursing school or a community college is often a desirable goal. Some students may already have a bachelor’s degree in science in addition to their nursing education, which is usually treated equally in terms of pay and advancement opportunities. When a student does not pursue a BSN, he or she is awarded a BRN, or bachelor’s degree in registered nursing.
The nurse’s RN status, regardless of how it is obtained, allows her to perform equal tasks in the workplace. Holding greater responsibility for patient care, supervising the work of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), giving medications or administering injections, working in surgery settings, and starting or administering intravenous (IV) drips and medication are just a few of the possibilities. Any RN can choose to specialize in specific areas of care, such as pediatric intensive care, obstetrics, cardiology, or geriatrics.
A baccalaureate degree in nursing is a stepping stone to obtaining a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or a PhD for some nurses. A nurse who has completed a traditional four-year college degree may wish to pursue additional training or the possibility of teaching in a nursing school. Nurses who want to become nurse practitioners must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. Although some Master’s Degree programs offer BA to MSN degrees, specifically designed to train a person with a college degree and no nursing experience to become a nurse practitioner, having a BSN provides more opportunities to the nurse who wants to continue his or her education.