Resolve to Complete Your BSN

Published On: November 13, 2019

People often see the new year as a time for change. The calendar is a clean slate, making it easier for some to think about tackling the things they’ve been putting off.

Let the new year motivate you to take the next step in your nursing career. If you hold an Associate Degree in Nursing or you are a diploma-prepared nurse and you have an RN license, resolve to complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the Mississippi College online RN to BSN program.

Now Is the Time to Start

It’s not uncommon for RNs to postpone earning a BSN because they want to start working as soon as they have an RN license. The problem for adult students is that life often throws obstacles in the way of learning. Childcare, work schedules and a lack of time can keep nurses from pursuing their next degree.

However, a BSN is becoming the standard for many positions in nursing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the BSN as a typical education requirement for entry-level RN jobs.

The online RN to BSN program at Mississippi College (MC) provides the convenience and flexibility you need to earn your next degree. The program offers six start dates each year, so you don’t have to wait a full semester to begin.

Convenience of Online Learning

The online RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses. Having a BSN opens up opportunities for career growth, which means you can prepare for your future by earning the degree while continuing to work and remain active in the field.

The program’s nursing core consists of 30 credit hours. MC’s online courses are delivered in seven-week terms — about half the length of a standard 15-week semester.

Online learning may be more convenient for students too far from a campus for in-person learning. Those whose schedules don’t match up with on-campus classes also enjoy the flexibility of online programs. Through online studies, you can learn at any time that is convenient for you. What’s more, not having to commute can save you time and money.

RNs complete their clinical coursework in their ADN or diploma program, so there’s no need to repeat them to earn their BSN. The advanced subjects in an RN to BSN program — evidence-based practice, leadership and community health, for example — are suitable for remote study, so it’s possible for nurses to complete the requirements for a BSN in an online program.

Program Flexibility

While degree requirements can be completed in as few as 12 months by taking two or more courses at a time, students can also choose to take just one course per term. You can enroll in multiple classes when life circumstances allow for it or stick to a single class each term.

The cost of continuing one’s education is an important consideration for working nurses. Tuition for the Mississippi College online RN to BSN is very reasonable, delivering a private college education at rates found in public institutions. You can pay by the class, and financial aid may be available.

With the BSN becoming the preferred degree for employment in many healthcare facilities, it is worth investing in yourself and your future in nursing.

Learn more about the Mississippi College RN to BSN online program.

Sources:

Nurse Journal: Returning to School

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses

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.

Evaluating Social Determinants of Health

In recent years, the importance of understanding social determinants of health (SDoH) and how they impact an individual’s care has grown. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), social determinants of health are “the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.”

The Benefits Of Earning A BSN Degree For Today’s Nurses

Imagine heading to the emergency room, urgent care facility or even just a routine clinic visit and being unable to see a nurse. It sounds odd, but it may become a reality. There is, and has been for many years, a global nursing shortage.

Role of Nurses in Improving Public Health

Nurses are known for the patient-centered care they provide. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses put their own safety at risk, providing critical care under extraordinary stress. Public health nurses were also on the frontlines, working to prevent and control the disease, train workers for testing sites, conduct contact tracing, help marginalized communities access vaccines and more.