The field of nursing is filled with a multitude of positions and specialties. However, many nursing jobs now require registered nurses (RNs) to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Those who are ready to take the next step in their career will find that an online RN to BSN program like the one offered by La Salle University provides preparation for the demands and challenges found in healthcare.
Why Do Employers Prefer to Hire Nurses With a BSN?
Employers are heeding the recommendation of many healthcare organizations and associations, such as the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) for more BSN-prepared nurses in the workforce. And, research indicates a link between nurses with a BSN and increased positive patient outcomes. Here are just a few of the studies:
- Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality
- Baccalaureate Education in Nursing and Patient Outcomes
- An Increase in The Number of Nurses With Baccalaureate Degrees Is Linked to Lower Rates of Postsurgery Mortality
- Economic Evaluation of the 80% Baccalaureate Nurse Workforce Recommendation: A Patient-level Analysis
What Is an RN to BSN Program?
An ADN or nursing diploma program prepares nurses to provide basic nursing care to patients, while an RN to BSN program adds to that knowledge and builds on the skills that ADN-prepared nurses already have. RN to BSN programs immerse students in the use of informatics, research and evidence-based practice. Students also may examine the following:
- Nursing leadership, management and organizational dynamics
- Pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Public health nursing
- Safety strategies
- Workplace issues
What Can Students Expect From the La Salle Online RN to BSN Program?
La Salle is committed to educating students in a way that fits their lifestyle and schedule. This concept is an extension of La Salle’s mission lasting over 150 years: “Education should meet students where they are.”
The curriculum in La Salle’s RN to BSN program is designed so students can apply skills to their practice right away. They learn how to think through problems while taking into consideration a patient’s background, culture and preferences. They also gain the competencies they need to develop safe strategies to improve patient care. The courses in the RN to BSN program are relevant and constantly updated in response to changes in healthcare.
La Salle is a student-centered institution that embraces the diversity of its students. The faculty and administration are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education that is worth the investment and leads to successful employment. Graduates of La Salle’s RN to BSN program benefit from the university’s vast network of healthcare professionals and organizations throughout the United States and abroad.
The flexibility of an online program allows nurses to continue working and still have enough time to spend with family and friends. The La Salle RN to BSN is 100 percent online and can be completed in as few as 10 months. This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Dr. Jeannine Uribe, a professor of nursing at La Salle, tells RNs who are thinking about enrolling in an online RN to BSN program to “jump in, get started and quickly complete a BSN so they can move forward in their nursing career.”
Learn more about La Salle University’s online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
Nurse Journal: 10 Reasons Why RN’s Should Pursue Their BSN Degree
JAMA: Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality
NCBI: Baccalaureate Education in Nursing and Patient Outcomes
American Nurses Credentialing Center: Eligibility Requirements
The National Academy of Medicine: The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health