Online BSN Degree Programs

The 4-year BSN degree and online BSN, which is also referred to as the Pre-licensure BSN program is the entry point to practice in a nursing career.

Generally, in nursing programs the first one to two years of the program students are required to complete general education requirements and they spend the last two years specifically on nursing courses and clinicals. The online BSN degree programs is designed to be flexible for working RNs and LPNs. Accelerated BSN programs and online online nursing bridge programs are therefore available for busy working nurses. Move beyond your RN to a nursing bachelors (BSN). Specialize and get licensure. The LPN-to-BSN program is designed to present the licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) with the chance to complete a BSN degree in about four academic semesters. In the United States several accredited online RN-to-BSN program options are available. These are sometimes referred to as Bridge Programs, BSN for RNs and completion programs.

BSN Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kaplan University

• RN to BS in Nursing

Walden University

• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

Capella University

• BSN - RN-to-BSN Completion (CCNE-accredited)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

American Sentinel University

• RN to BSN

Colorado Technical University

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN completion)

South University Online

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Western Governors University

• B.S. in Nursing

Grand Canyon University

• RN to BS in Nursing

Everglades University

• Bachelor's Degree in Alternative Medicine

BSN Education and Training

What is a BSN? The Bachelor of Nursing Degree (BSN) is a four-year nursing degree, which unlike the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or the Registered Nurse requires a bachelor’s degree.

The online nursing degree program is designed for Registered Nurse graduates of associates degree or diploma programs to complete BSN degree program requirements. It is ideal for earning credit for nursing skills already learned through school or work experience. Many of these programs are very flexible, and are designed to meet the needs of nurses whole hold full-time and part-time jobs.

Second Degree BSN programs are designed for those who have a degree in a non-nursing related field. Students get credit for general education courses already taken, and in general you can complete your nursing degree in about two years. The Accelerated Degree BSN is a similar to the Second Degree BSN i.e. accelerated BSN. RN to BSN courses may include the following:

• Nursing leadership
• Health policy
• Family nursing
• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Anatomy and physiology
• Maternal and Child health
• Geriatric care
• Community health
• Research in nursing
• Pharmacology

But in addition to getting credit for general education classes already taken, the Accelerated online BSN program allows students to complete bachelors level courses faster than being enrolled in a traditional BSN program. It takes between 16 to 20 or an average of 12 months to complete the program. Students needs at least a 3.0 GPA to be accepted into both the Second Degree and Accelerated BSN programs. This also goes for online RN to BSN programs.

Options for a Career as a Nurse

With a nursing career, a primary responsibility is to provide direct health and medical care to patients who are sick or injured. Nurses work in a variety of medical facilities including clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, doctors offices, medical research labs and insurance companies.

According to the United States Department of Labor figures about 60% of all registered nursing jobs are found in hospitals. Specializations in nursing include hospice, geriatric care, neo-natal and maternal health care, and pediatrics among many other areas. As the largest healthcare field, registered nurses (RNs) held around 2.6 million jobs in 2008, reports the BLS.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

According to the BLS, jobs for registered nurses should continue to increase faster than other jobs over the next several years. Also, the employment of RNs is expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018. In 2008, the median annual income for RNs was $62,450, with a range of $51,640 to $76,570 for the middle 50% (BLS). Some areas of nursing employment report the following levels of income as of 2011:

• School Nurse: $44,106
• Staff Nurse: $65,838
• Nurse Case Manager: $72,000
• Head Nurse: $89,242
• Clinical nurse manager: $67,000
• Nurse Manager: $68,000
• Director of Nursing: $121,631
• Nurse Practitioner: $90,268

With an accelerated online BSN degree, you can move beyond the RN degree to earn a higher level of income and and also prepare for promotions within the health care profession.