Discover everything you need to know about earning a bachelor of science in nursing through this nursing degree program guide.
Matthew Arrojas Matthew Arrojas Read Full BioMatthew Arrojas is a news reporter at BestColleges covering higher education issues and policy. He previously worked as the hospitality and tourism news reporter at the South Florida Business Journal. He also covered higher education policy issues as.
Published on July 18, 2024 Tyler Epps Tyler Epps Read Full BioTyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He.
Reviewed by Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC Read Full BioBrandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC, is a nurse educator with over two decades of experience in healthcare, including pediatric and medical-surgical acute care, women's health, hospital-wide education, and clinical instruction. She has a master's in nursing .
Learn more about our editorial process Matthew Arrojas Matthew Arrojas Read Full BioMatthew Arrojas is a news reporter at BestColleges covering higher education issues and policy. He previously worked as the hospitality and tourism news reporter at the South Florida Business Journal. He also covered higher education policy issues as.
Tyler Epps Tyler Epps Read Full BioTyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He.
Reviewed by Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC Read Full BioBrandi Jones, MSN-Ed, RN-BC, is a nurse educator with over two decades of experience in healthcare, including pediatric and medical-surgical acute care, women's health, hospital-wide education, and clinical instruction. She has a master's in nursing .
Published on July 18, 2024 Learn more about our editorial processwww.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
Considering a career in healthcare? Nurses are in extreme demand as the U.S. battles a nursing shortage, which may leave you contemplating whether to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
This nursing degree program guide will walk you through what to expect from a BSN program, as well as the expedited pathways to earning a BSN. You can also read on to learn more about what it takes to get into a BSN program and how many years you'll spend earning your degree.
A BSN degree, or a bachelor of science in nursing, is the most common degree type for practicing nurses in the U.S.
It’s through a BSN program that you’ll learn many of the skills necessary to function as a nurse. This includes ways to work with patients and physicians that lead to favorable health outcomes.
A BSN degree will set you up to pursue a nursing license. A license is one of the requirements for a career in nursing, and most students who take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) do so right after graduation.
If you’re interested in earning a BSN, it’s worth noting that there are more options beyond the typical four-year bachelor’s track. Many programs are designed to accommodate working adults or those with prior educational experience.
A standard BSN program allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in roughly the same timeframe as any other bachelor’s degree. You’ll start with general education requirements, then you’ll get the chance to dive into more nursing-specific topics during the back half of your program.
BSN programs require you to complete clinical rotations. The number of hours you must complete, however, largely depends on the state your program is based in. Typically, programs require participants to earn 400-700 hours of hands-on experience. The average requirement is 600 hours.
You are eligible for an RN-to-BSN program if you are already a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree. These programs allow RNs to advance their education, and potentially their careers, too. RN-to-BSN programs typically require fewer clinical hours, ranging from 50-100.
If you qualify, you’ll take more specialized classes focused on nursing and avoid many of the general education requirements of most BSN programs. You will likely also finish an RN-to-BSN program faster than a traditional BSN program, depending on how many credits you can transfer.
Accelerated BSN programs are typically for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree that is not in nursing. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN program allows you to earn your BSN in just one or two years, rather than the standard four years.
You’ll have the opportunity to skip many of the general education courses and get into the meat of your nursing coursework right away.
There are two primary structures for an online BSN program: synchronous and asynchronous learning.
In a synchronous program, you’ll be expected to attend lectures and complete coursework at a specified time. In an asynchronous program, you can complete class requirements at your own pace so long as you hit deadlines. Earning a BSN also requires an in-person clinical experience.
If you’re attending an online BSN program, you will likely need to find a nearby healthcare facility where you can complete your practicum requirement. Alternatively, if you live close to the school, you may also be able to complete these requirements on campus.
Online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs function similarly, although you can typically skip general education requirements through these programs.
You will likely have flexibility in the courses you take while pursuing a BSN, but there are many foundational courses nearly all future nurses must take. Some of those classes include:
An online BSN program can take 1-4 years, depending on your education, experience, and whether you attend full time or part time. The type of nursing program, such as an RN-to-BSN or an accelerated BSN, also affects your graduation timeline.
RN-to-BSN programs are designed for working nurses. If you attend full-time, you can complete most programs in 1-2 years. Part-time students may need up to four years. Accelerated BSN programs for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree can be completed in two years or less.
| Nursing Program | Required Course Credits | Length of Program* |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | 120 | 3-5 years |
| RN-to-BSN | 30-60 | 1-2 years |
| Accelerated BSN | 60 | 1-2 years |
Getting into a BSN program is a similar process to getting into any bachelor’s program. You should plan to submit the following application materials when applying:
Check Circle Check Circle Check Circle Check CircleIf you are a high school senior pursuing a BSN after graduation, you may also want to include a list of extracurricular activities you were involved in.
It’s worth noting that BSN programs have varying degrees of selectivity. Enrolling in a BSN program at an Ivy League institution may require a minimum GPA of 3.80 or higher.
Meanwhile, a public college or university with mid-level selectivity will likely have a lower GPA threshold of around 3.0. Many community colleges don’t have a minimum GPA requirement.
The application process for an RN-to-BSN program or accelerated BSN program will likely be different than that of a traditional BSN. These programs will require you to show proof that you meet the prerequisites to enroll.
You’ll need to prove that you already have an RN license to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. You may also need to provide your college transcripts to start an accelerated BSN program so that your institution can count previously earned credits.
Nursing salaries typically are high enough to live comfortably. Individual salaries, however, are dependent on many factors. Location is a big one, as nurses in high-cost cities are more likely to earn higher salaries than those in rural areas.
The type of healthcare facility you work for will also influence your salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses who work at hospitals earned a median salary of nearly $10,000 higher than those who worked at residential care facilities in 2023.
Lowest 10% of RNs
$63,720
Median Salary
$86,070