A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an academic qualification that you can use to launch a rewarding career in the healthcare field. This undergraduate degree offers a thorough study of essential nursing knowledge and skills, ranging from human anatomy to leadership in nursing. Right now is a great time to pursue a BSN program because there is a high demand for qualified nurses throughout the country.

What’s the Difference Between an RN and a BSN?

The healthcare field has a lot of acronyms that may be a little confusing for the uninitiated. An RN is a registered nurse—a working professional who is licensed to diagnose, treat and care for patients. In contrast, a BSN is a degree program that prepares students to become RNs. It should be noted that not all RNs have a BSN, although many of them do. Currently practicing RNs who do not hold a BSN may opt to go back to school while working to earn this degree and advance their skills, opening the door to new and more lucrative opportunities.

Why Should I Earn a BSN Degree?

Some students wonder, “If I can start working with just an associate degree, why should I earn a BSN?” Although it is possible to be a nurse without a BSN, the truth is that a BSN is vastly preferable for healthcare workers. There are many compelling reasons to earn your BSN degree, including the following: Better patient outcomes: Research indicates that BSN holders contribute to better patient outcomes and high-quality patient care.** Higher earning potential: Registered nurses who hold a BSN tend to earn more than those with just an associate degree.** Advanced job opportunities: RNs with a BSN may be more likely to be hired for higher-level positions. They can also enjoy increased job opportunities, as many hospitals and clinics prefer to hire RNs with BSNs.

What Are the Career Options for BSN Graduates?

For individuals who are just beginning to explore healthcare as a potential career option, it is often surprising to learn that there are many choices within the nursing field. There are numerous specialization paths for registered nurses with a RN or BSN, including the following: Oncology nursing: This kind of nursing involves working with cancer patients. Pediatric nursing: Specializing in children’s health and development is a part of pediatric nursing. Dialysis nursing: Dialysis nurses ensure the safety of kidney disease patients while they receive dialysis treatments. Bariatrics nursing: Working with patients undergoing weight loss surgeries is part of bariatrics nursing. These are just a few possibilities. An RN with a BSN can choose from dozens of specializations.

What Is a BSN?

Q: What Are the Different Types of BSN Degree Programs?

Some universities offer different types of BSN degree programs. These are designed to meet the needs of individuals at varying stages of their careers. For example, if you are a high school student or recent graduate who would like to enter healthcare, you could enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) program.

September 18, 2024 in [ Nursing & Healthcare ]

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A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an undergraduate degree that teaches you essential nursing knowledge and skills, ranging from complex care management to leadership in nursing.

In This Article:

What Does a BSN Do?
What Is the Difference Between a BSN and an ADN?
Does RN or BSN Come First?
Why Get a BSN?
What Does a BSN Do for Your Career Options?
How To Obtain a BSN at GCU

What Does a BSN Do?

During your BSN program, you will be taught how to care for patients and work with other healthcare professionals — from conducting health assessments to preparing hospitalized patients for a safe discharge. This program can help prepare you to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to obtain licensure as an RN.

Some universities offer different paths toward completing your BSN degree program. These are designed to meet the needs of individuals at varying stages of their careers. For example, if you are a high school student or recent graduate who would like to enter the healthcare field, you could enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) program.

Some individuals become registered nurses after earning an associate degree (ADN) and passing the NCLEX-RN. This allows them to enter the nursing field without a four-year degree. However, RNs may choose to build upon their ADN education by going back to school to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through an RN to BSN program. This is an accelerated program that is customized to meet the needs of working professionals who seek in-depth nursing knowledge and skills.

Another nursing degree option for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field but want to transition to the nursing field is the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program (which confers a BSN degree). This program allows individuals to complete their nursing degree without having to complete general education coursework.²

What Is the Difference Between a BSN and an ADN?

Both ADN and BSN degrees can prepare students to become RNs — working professionals who are licensed to care for patients. The main difference between the two is that Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees dive deeper into nursing studies and expand more upon this knowledge. Both degrees can qualify students to take the NCLEX-RN to become an RN.

It should be noted that not all RNs have a BSN; they may have other valid nursing degrees. Currently practicing RNs who hold an ADN rather than a BS in Nursing may opt to go back to school to earn this degree while working, with the goal of advancing their skills and positioning themselves to pursue new opportunities.

Does RN or BSN Come First?

One common question prospective nurses have is, Does RN or BSN come first? In other words, do you really need a baccalaureate degree in order to work as a nurse? As previously mentioned, it is currently possible to become an RN with just an associate degree and a passing score on the licensure exam. However, earning a baccalaureate degree instead can offer benefits that an ADN cannot.

Plus, the nursing field as a whole is shifting toward a greater preference for bachelor’s degree-prepared nurses. In New York, for instance, it’s currently state law for all nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree within 10 years of becoming licensed if they didn’t already have one.³It’s possible that other states will follow suit at some point.

Why Get a BSN?

Although it is possible to be a nurse without a bachelor’s, a BSN degree may be preferable for healthcare workers.⁴ Also, nurses who are qualified to work in hospital settings, physician's offices, at-home healthcare services and various elderly care facilities can expect about 197,200 new openings throughout the U.S. from 2023 to 2033 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹

There are many compelling reasons to look into how to obtain a BSN degree, including the following:

Better Patient Outcomes

Research has shown that increasing one's level of nursing education beyond the associate degree results in better patient outcomes. In fact, a study found that patients who suffered cardiac arrest had higher chances of survival when treated by BSN-educated nurses, minimizing potential long-term damage and leading to better patient outcomes.⁵ In the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you will have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of patient care principles to help you strengthen your ability to care for patients.

Higher Earning Potential

Registered nurses who hold a BS in Nursing have the potential to earn more than those with only an associate degree.⁴ Employers value RNs who are better prepared to contribute to favorable patient outcomes.⁴

Qualify for More Positions and Potentially Gain Promotion Opportunities

According to NurseJournal, RNs with a BSN may be more likely to be hired for higher-level positions.⁴They may also find themselves with increased job opportunities.⁴ Furthermore, as a bachelor’s degree-prepared nurse, you may position yourself to pursue potential leadership positions. Depending on where you work, you may be able to advance to a role where you oversee other nurses and work directly with upper management.⁴

Work in a Variety of Settings

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will teach you the skills needed to take on more responsibilities in the workplace. Some of the places where you can apply your knowledge are hospitals, community care settings and health service organizations. Additionally, many BSN-prepared nurses work in case management, private homes and public health.

Furthermore, a bachelor’s degree may prepare you to apply for positions within Magnet hospitals. Magnet hospitals are nationally recognized for promoting nursing excellence and typically have better patient outcomes.⁶ Currently, all Magnet hospitals require nurse leaders and managers to hold a baccalaureate degree as a minimum qualification.⁶

For nurses, working in a Magnet hospital means being encouraged to flourish as a professional in areas such as autonomy, leadership, collaboration and learning. Reports show that Magnet hospitals have higher job satisfaction and retention rates compared to other hospitals.⁷ These hospitals create and strive to maintain a culture of continuous improvement, where nurses are recognized and rewarded for competency.

Prepare for Graduate School

Earning your BSN can prepare you to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. Someday, you may want to specialize or enter a leadership position that requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). By working toward a bachelor’s degree now, you can be more prepared to enroll in a master’s program in the future.

Find Fulfillment

A career in nursing is one that you may find to be rewarding. Although pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can be challenging at times, the hard work you put into your education can be worth it for a career that allows you to make an impact in the nursing field and a difference in people’s lives.

What Does a BSN Do for Your Career Options?

For individuals who are just beginning to explore healthcare as a potential career option, it is often surprising to learn that there are so many choices within the nursing field. There are numerous paths for specialization for registered nurses with a BSN, including but not limited to:

Oncology nursing: This type of nursing involves working with cancer patients.
Pediatric nursing: Pediatric nurses specialize in children’s health and development.
Dialysis nursing: Dialysis nurses ensure the safety of kidney disease patients while they receive dialysis treatments.
Bariatrics nursing: Bariatrics nurses specialize in working with patients undergoing weight-loss surgeries.

How To Obtain a BSN at GCU

Begin working toward your career in nursing with a BSN degree from Grand Canyon University. Our options include the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure), an accelerated BSN program and an RN to BSN degree for currently practicing nurses.

Begin Your Nursing Career at GCU

Apply today to earn your BSN!

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¹COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, retrieved on Feb. 5, 2025.

²Secondary applicants must transfer a minimum of 60 of the required 123 credits or have completed a baccalaureate degree which includes nine prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses prior to starting the core nursing courses, which can be completed in as few as 16 months. Direct entry applicants that do not transfer 60 credits but meet the minimum requirements can complete these credits through GCU prior to starting the core nursing courses. Depending on the state where student has enrolled or intends to complete the program, student may require additional courses. This may include, but is not limited to, additional general education courses, courses in the major, clinical courses or a different course sequence. See University Policy Handbook.

³Mensik, J., PhD, RN, FAAN. (2017, Dec. 20). New York Governor Signs BSN in 10 Into Law for Nurses. Nurse.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.

⁴Deering, M. (2023, Jan. 10). Top 10 Advantages of a BSN Degree. NurseJournal. Retrieved on June 27, 2024.

⁵Harrison, J. M., Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Brooks Carthon, J. M., Merchant, R. M., Berg, R. A., & McHugh, M. D. (2019). In Hospitals With More Nurses Who Have Baccalaureate Degrees, Better Outcomes For Patients After Cardiac Arrest. Health affairs (Project Hope), 38(7), 1087–1094. Retrieved June 27, 2024.

⁶American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (n.d.). The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice. AACN. Retrieved June 27, 2024.

⁷UC Davis Health. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions About Magnet. UC Davis Health. Retrieved June 27, 2024.

Approved by the associate dean of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on Sept. 9, 2024.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.