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As more and more facilities require nurses to have a bachelor’s of science in nursing rather than an associate degree, it may be time for you to head back to school.
As a travel nurse, however, you may be wondering how you can make that happen while still juggling your travel assignments and making room for family and friends. Below are a few tips on selecting a BSN program:
Look for a completion program you can do online. If you graduated from a large university, you may be able to earn your BSN in a year by enrolling in its online program — which would probably be your easiest choice, as it will be simple for the admissions office to access your records.
Even if your university is smaller and doesn’t have many online options, you can choose from many other similar programs at universities across the country. To enroll, you’ll need an associate’s degree from a nationally accredited ADN program and may need a current nursing license in the state the university is located as well. Check the school’s website for all details.
Make sure the program allows you to earn clinical hours through employment. One struggle some nurses who return to school face is completing their clinical hours while they work full time, as some universities require nurses work only at affiliated hospitals while completing their degree. Check your program’s guidelines before enrolling to see if it allows you to complete the clinical practicum in your home community (or at the facilities you’ll work at while on travel nurse assignments).
Determine whether you can finish everything online or need to visit the university for exams. As a travel nurse, it can be frustrating to finish your homework and classes online only to be required to drive to a testing center for an exam. If you know you’ll be taking several travel nursing assignments in different areas while you earn your BSN, it’s important to find a university that allows you to complete everything online.
Talk to other nurses who’ve completed degrees online. Word of mouth is often the best way to spread news about a great nursing degree program. Ask your coworkers whether they earned their BSN online and get recommendations on the best schools — and ways to juggle work, family and education as a travel nurse.
Consider cost and look for financial aid. Before deciding on a program, do some research and see what similar nursing programs cost and whether the university offers any scholarships or financial aid. It may be worth enrolling in a smaller, lesser-known school if you save thousands of dollars over the course of your degree.
See a few reasons it’s worth investing in more education by reading Benefits of Earning a BSN — and if you’ve already achieved an online degree, share your tips below!
