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Recent surveys show that more hospitals are requiring a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) when hiring new nurses. Based on these surveys, at this time the majority of hospitals with this requirement are teaching facilities in metropolitan areas.
There are many advantages to obtaining a BSN, especially career advancement. Magnet hospitals, which are recognized nationwide for their nursing excellence, require all nurse managers to hold a BSN. A BSN is also necessary to pursue many avenues outside of bedside nursing, such as administrative or teaching positions.
Some of the highest-paid nursing specialties also have a BSN requirement, including clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse mid-wives and nurse practitioners. Many facilities offer a pay differential for nurses who hold a BSN.
There are also several opportunities for newly hired ADN and diploma graduates to obtain positions at facilities that offer tuition reimbursement.
As a travel nurse, having a BSN makes you more marketable to facilities. While few hospitals currently list this as a requirement for traveler, many list it as a preference. A nurse manager may receive more than 100 profiles for one position, and an RN who has earned a BSN degree may have a competitive advantage in a tight job market.
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine recommended that 80 percent of working nurses have a BSN by 2020. Although only a small percentage of hospitals require a BSN in 2014, studies show this number will continue to grow.
Learn more about furthering your education by earning a master’s of science in nursing in this blog post!
