A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a four-year, undergraduate degree program that trains you to become a professional nurse. In fact, most BSN nursing degrees are RN programs, meaning they provide the scientific knowledge, practical nursing methodology and clinical experience needed to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Like an ADN or ASN, a BSN involves taking science courses in human biology, physiology and anatomy, chemistry, and pharmacology. You also take courses on:
- The causes, effects, symptoms and treatment of certain diseases and conditions.
- Patient care ethics.
- Nursing administration.
- Health care administration and business.
Some BSN degree programs allow you to take specialized courses in and complete clinical hours inpatient care departments for:
- Chronic illness.
- Acute care.
- Geriatric nursing.
- Pediatric nursing.
- Infection disease and epidemiology.
- Psychiatry.
In addition to your nursing coursework, you’re also required to complete general education requirements from different disciplines and fields. You may be required to take a certain number of credits in fields like mathematics, humanities, social sciences, arts and foreign language.
There are many pathways to earning a BSN degree:
- Entering a BSN program after completing high school and completing it in four years.
- Earning a CNA or LPN certificate or diploma and gaining experience in the field before pursuing a BSN.
- Earning a CNA or LPN certification or diploma, earning an ADN or ASN, gaining experience and then earning your BSN.
- Completing an LPN-to-BSN bridge program, where you earn your LPN, work in the field and earn your BSN at the same institution while working.
- Completing an ASN or ADN program and going right into a BSN program.
- Completing an ASN or ADN program, gaining experience and then pursuing your BSN.
- Completing an AND-to-BSN (also known as an RN-to-BSN) bridge program.
- Earning a BSN as a second bachelor’s degree during a career change.
The BLS reports that RNs earn a median salary of $75,330 per year. While those with an ADN or ASN can earn this salary, those with at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing typically earn more due to a more thorough formal education in nursing and often more completed clinical hours. But earning potential can also depend on how much experience you have in the field and whether you work in a nursing leadership role.
Some roles you can pursue with a BSN include:
- Nurse case manager
- Legal nurse consultant
- Home health care nurse
- Nurse administrator
- Forensic nurse
- Nurse informatics specialist
- Public health nurse
- School nurse
- Hospital or ambulatory nurse
- Physician’s RN
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