Is Earning A BSN Really Worth The Expense?

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a big expense. Going back to school can cost you valuable time, work and money. So is it really worth it? Is it too much work? Could your money be better spent somewhere else? These are important considerations many RNs face. The faculty members at GCU have some interesting perspectives regarding this question.

One faculty member, Catherine Beasley, says that “Earning a BSN is, without a doubt, worth the time, work and money”. She goes on to say, “I have never met a person who states they have regretted the investment. Many employers will now monetarily assist nurses with obtaining their BSN and there are choices that make school more convenient [today] than 20 years ago”. Beasley believes that earning a BSN is not only worthwhile but is also made more accessible through a variety of course scheduling options, including taking classes full time, part-time, online or face-to-face. Students can take multiple courses or focus on one course at a time. These options make going back to school more convenient for working nurses.

Another faculty member, Joanne Senn, comments that a “BSN is worth the expense because it opens doors for professional growth. It also aligns with the future of nursing”. Furthermore, Senn mentions the current healthcare landscape and says “healthcare is much more complex than it used to be. There is a lot more to know and it is so rapidly changing; a BSN will help nurses meet the needs of the growing population”. As healthcare continues to change, nurses must change too. When considering going back to school for a BSN, nurses should also consider where the healthcare industry is going, and what they must do to keep up.

Leslie Minjarez, also a faculty member of GCU’s College of Nursing & Health Care Professionals, believes that the decision to earn a BSN is one that “many professional nurses without BSN’s are facing today”. She reflects on her personal journey and shares that she was once, “afraid that life would get in the way and it would be harder to finish later. I decided to get my BSN right away and I have never regretted that decision”.

Another personal account comes from Samantha Deck, who says that “earning a BSN degree was rewarding for her career as a nurse in the clinical practice setting and allowed her to start educating individuals who were obtaining their RN degree or advancing their LPN degree within a clinical setting”. Deck’s BSN gave her more opportunities than what would have been available to her without the degree and allowed her the ability to do more in her career because of it.

Tish Dorman often encourages her students by reminding them that, “the further one takes their education, the more doors will open and the further up the ladder one can advance”. Earning a BSN truly does open doors for nurses looking to get ahead and have more opportunities to grow. Finally, Christine Bartholomew shares a collective vision of nursing, “As nurses, we must take pride in the knowledge we gain from reinforcing the foundation of our profession. Going back to school should not be about gaining more initials but gaining a deeper understanding of why we do what we do. What theory do we connect with, do we understand the standards of our practice, how do we handle conflict and can we function as leaders? This is just the beginning of what you can discover about yourself and your profession at GCU”.

Palomar College has also shared their thoughts about GCU’s nursing program with information about credit transfers, course length, estimated costs and how to apply. They say, “GCU’s RN-BSN is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses.” In the end, despite the time, work and money, it seems that earning a BSN really is worth it. It allows nurses to better serve their patients, and it opens the door to more opportunities for growth and discovery. Take the next step today!

The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions helps students prepare for rewarding careers in the healthcare field. Learn more by visiting our website or contacting us using the green Request More Information button at the top of the page.