RN’s -- 10 reasons you should upgrade to a BSN online

RN’s -- 10 reasons you should upgrade to a BSN online 1. You want to keep your job. New York and New Jersey legislators want nurses in their states to have a four-year degree to get licensed. People already working in the nursing field have been given the option to upgrade from RN to BSN or lose their jobs. Hospitals across the United States have jumped on the bandwagon, giving existing staff a deadline for getting their degrees. 2. You want to get a new job. Traditionally, nurses could find work with a diploma, associate's or bachelor's degree, but times are changing. Most employers now strongly prefer BSN candidates. Others refuse to consider applicants without a bachelor's degree. 3. You're tired of bedside care. Straight out of a nursing program, 12-hour shifts taking care of the sick still holds its novelty. After 20 years? Long stretches on your feet, constant bending, lifting, and dealing with stressful patients grows weary. Experienced nurses often hit a point of burn-out, and start looking at their options. Online BSN programs give you access to jobs that aren't as tough on your body, including: case manager, clinic auditing manager, nursing staff director, and more. 4. You want out of the hospital. The scent of freshly bleached sheets and disinfected halls, a continuous flow of patients, and dealing with hospital politics can leave a nurse feeling detached and angry. Positions in private clinics, community programs, and retirement communities offer a change of pace, but may only be available to those who have a four-year degree. 5. You want more money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average nurse earns more than $64,000.00 each year. Going from an RN to BSN online will give you leverage when asking for a raise, or applying for a higher-paid position. 6. You'd love to travel. Traveling nurse programs generally limit themselves to BSN candidates. These positions allow you to be hired in temporary roles all across the United States. These include a variety of jobs, as well, giving you experience in hospitals, clinics, community centers and with private clients. 7. You want to continue your studies for the lowest price possible. Online degree programs cost less for practical reasons. Without a brick-and-mortar classroom to stock, protect and keep clean, without utilities and insurance to pay, the school itself has fewer expenses. Quality programs pass this savings on to you. 8. You need courses that compliment your work schedule. Online programs can be tailored to your schedule to avoid missing work. You can watch lectures, read texts and case studies and turn in assignments while taking care of your work and family obligations. 9. You need funding for your degree. Federal financing is available for accredited online programs. This includes grants, which don't need to be repaid, and nursing-specific loans which may be forgivable or have no- or low-interest rates. 10. You need an accelerated program. Not every student has two or three years to get their degree. Employers have deadlines, but there are other life circumstances that make an accelerated degree a necessity, too. You may want to finish your education before your children go to college, or before a cross-country move. Online BSN programs help you reach your goals in as little as 16 months.