Top 3 Reasons to Earn Your BSN

According to a 2019 report from Campaign for Action, a national organization seeking to improve health care through nursing, approximately 56% of registered nurses hold a BSN or higher. That’s up from about 49% in 2010. Explore why this upward trend is projected to continue.

1. BSNs Are Linked to Better Patient Outcomes

Studies show there is a correlation between BSNs and better patient outcomes:

• The landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report found that BSN-prepared nurses experience better patient outcomes and are better equipped to manage increasingly complex nursing care.
• This report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation states “Hospitals that employ larger numbers of BSN-prepared nurses have lower patient mortality rates … a 10-percent increase in the proportion of nurses with BSNs was associated with a 7-percent decrease in patient deaths.”
• This report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that not only do BSN-prepared nurses experience better patient outcomes, but they also have higher competency in nursing practice as well as increased skills in communication, leadership, professional integration and research and evaluation.
• A study published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety found that BSN-prepared nurses report being very prepared in more quality and safety measures than do their ASN-prepared peers.

2. A BSN Broadens Your Career Opportunities

There is a tremendous shift in health care underway, and the role of nurses is expanding and changing along with it. Nurses with a BSN will likely have greater career opportunities and may be better situated to earn jobs in management, leadership, ethical decision-making and more. Employers often view a registered nurse who holds a BSN as someone more qualified to take on greater responsibility and work in management.

3. Many Employers Prefer a BSN

In addition, employers are increasingly requiring a BSN. According to RN.com, “many health care facilities have begun requiring RNs to have a BSN for entry level nursing positions.”

Earn an Online BSN With Purdue University Northwest

Purdue Northwest College of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program for nurses looking to earn this important degree. You’ll gain practical training and expertise from real-world practitioners, and the online format enables you to continue working while you go to school. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), and the College of Nursing has been designated as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence (2014–2023).*

Make a lasting impact on the quality of patient care and broaden your career opportunities with a BSN degree. Request more information today.