Online Nursing Education Programs Becoming More Popular

Published On: July 7, 2021

Mississippi College offers an online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The convenience of this online degree can be ideal for working RNs looking to advance their education, careers and nursing practice.

Online RN to BSN programs are an increasingly appealing option for nurses wanting to continue their education. They offer ideal flexibility and increase nurses’ income potential and job opportunities, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the widespread need for qualified nurses while demonstrating the safety benefits of online education.

How Has the Pandemic Affected Nursing and Education Programs?

Nurses have always been valued and respected professionals in the healthcare industry. But never has the public seen how essential they are to the well-being and survival of people worldwide.

The pandemic has stressed hospital resources to the max, and nurses have been overworked and stretched thin. In many cases, there are simply not enough nurses to go around. This shortage of qualified nurses has inspired many people to enter the profession and driven former nurses to re-enter the workforce, lending their skills to help combat the pandemic.

These factors have only emphasized the need for quality higher education nursing programs like Mississippi College’s RN to BSN. Specifically, the program’s online format is particularly relevant to pandemic circumstances and full-time, working professionals. Plus, virtual learning promotes the safety of teachers, students, patients and other colleagues in the workplace.

Additionally, in the online model, nurses can fit study time around their chaotic schedules. This allows nurses to continue their essential role in fighting the pandemic while advancing their education and nursing practice.

What Sorts of Job Opportunities Could this Degree Open Up?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has reviewed extensive research on nursing education levels. This review found that having more BSNs in the nursing workforce leads to numerous positive patient health outcomes.

Many such associations are banding together to call for increased education of nurses, promoting BSNs in the workforce. This is reflected in the bachelor’s level educational requirements for leadership positions, promotions and even entry-level positions at many hospitals and agencies such as:

Magnet hospitals
The US Army
The US Navy
The US Air Force
The Veteran’s Administration

States like New York are also starting to require that nurses obtain a bachelor’s level nursing degree within a certain timeframe of entering the profession. Speaking globally, countries like Iceland, Korea, Canada and Sweden now require that all practicing registered nurses hold a four-year degree.

To summarize, earning an RN to BSN degree expands opportunities for nurses in numerous healthcare organizations, regions of the U.S. and worldwide.

What Kind of Return on Investment Can I Expect?

Advancing your education requires financial investment, so it is important to consider factors like tuition and the potential return on investment (ROI).

Tuition varies greatly depending on the program. Total tuition for Mississippi College’s online RN to BSN program is only $9,210, and online education allows students to continue working and earning a salary while getting their degree. This means no lost income while in school, representing substantial savings versus other education models.

As far as income increases, salaries vary widely according to the job, region and employer. But overall, BSN-prepared nurses can qualify for higher-level positions and command higher wages. According to PayScale data from March 2021, BSN-prepared nurses make an average annual salary of $86,119 while RNs average $65,641 per year. This equates to an average pay bump of more than $21,000 annually. Considering Mississippi College’s tuition, earning an online RN to BSN can lead to a rapid and substantial ROI for graduates.

Clearly, earning an online RN to BSN can be a beneficial investment, allowing nurses to advance their education and qualifications amidst difficult pandemic circumstances. Obtaining a BSN can improve career opportunities for nurses, and increasing the number of BSNs in the workforce can lead to improved patient outcomes for healthcare organizations. This supports the fundamental purpose of nursing: To ensure the health and well-being of the people nurses serve.

Learn more about Mississippi College’s online RN to BSN program.

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses

Dallas Morning News: The Pandemic Highlights Nationwide Nursing Shortage That is Acute in Texas

E-Learning Inside: How COVID-19 is Changing the Landscape of Nursing Education

PayScale:
Average Registered Nurse (RN) Hourly Pay
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree

Nursing Licensure: What Are RN to BSN Students Doing After Graduation?

Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

Throughout the years, nursing has evolved — both in the way nurses provide patient care and the way they are educated. Over the past few decades though, evidence-based practice has emerged as the gold standard of care and greatly influenced Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) coursework.

Qualities of a Nurse Leader

Each nurse, regardless of education level or role, is a leader. Nurses rely on decision-making and critical-thinking skills to improve patient health, whether as a caregiver at a patient’s bedside or as a manager in the boardroom. The nation’s healthcare landscape is changing, and nurses are at the forefront of this change. They are being asked to strengthen their leadership skills so that they can deliver optimal patient-centered care and take on a growing number of roles — administrators, policy advisers, researchers and teachers.