Working full-time while managing personal and family responsibilities can be challenging. Pursuing another degree amid all this can seem overwhelming at first. However, an online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program can fit seamlessly into busy schedules. An online program can save prospective students time and money while providing the flexibility they desire.
In an online RN to BSN program, students can complete coursework anywhere and anytime that is most convenient — nights, weekends, etc. This flexibility can help nurses balance work, school and family life. For nurses who give so much to others every day, maintaining a positive work-life balance is crucial.
Access to Jobs in Healthcare
Earning a BSN degree can provide access to a greater number of job opportunities and nursing leadership roles within the field of healthcare. For instance, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that a baccalaureate degree in nursing is the minimum level of preparation required for nurse manager and leader roles at Magnet hospitals, active duty RN positions in several branches of the U.S. military and promotion beyond entry-level nursing roles with the Veteran’s Administration.
Completing a bachelor’s degree online can help students reserve the time they need for themselves, their families and full-time work. This is possible through the flexible nature of an online program, self-scheduling, self-discipline and zero commute. Online bridge programs, such as the RN to BSN program at La Salle University, are designed with busy working professionals in mind.
For La Salle RN to BSN grad Erika Klemmer, moving from Texas to Pennsylvania spurred the decision to earn a BSN. Klemmer built a career in Texas but couldn’t continue her career progression after the move due to hiring restrictions and educational requirements at hospitals near her new home in Pennsylvania.
Given the need to advance her education combined with time management challenges from family responsibilities, La Salle’s online program provided an excellent option. “Having a small child while in virtual school, it was nice to be able to complete 100% of my RN to BSN online,” Klemmer said. “I never had to go into a classroom. I don’t think I would have been able to do it if I didn’t have the opportunity to do it all online.”
Flexible Option for Working Nurses
With affordable tuition and potential degree completion in as few as 12 to 24 months, La Salle’s online RN to BSN program provides an accelerated option. The program is convenient and accessible for working nurses, offering multiple start dates each year to accommodate complex work and family schedules. Plus, by continuing to work through school, students can avoid much of the opportunity cost of college, meaning they don’t have to let go of their jobs or income while earning their RN to BSN.
The online RN to BSN program at La Salle prepares students for the future of their nursing careers. According to La Salle’s online RN to BSN website, the program offers a “scientifically based nursing curriculum which emphasizes quality and safety in patient care while also instilling lifelong learning as a hallmark of professional nurses.” Further, “Students will learn to implement culturally appropriate strategies for health promotion, risk reduction and disease prevention, and use clinical judgment and decision-making skills when assessing and evaluating the health status of individuals and families.”
Is an online RN to BSN bridge program right for you? Weigh your options and do your research. With flexible start dates, a low tuition cost and flexibility for working students, this type of program can lead a busy nurse toward a long, successful career.
Learn more about La Salle University’s online RN to BSN program.