Many nurses begin their careers with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a fast track to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) and entry into the workforce. However, career advancement can be difficult with just an ADN, as the majority of hospitals and healthcare settings surveyed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in 2023 strongly preferred new hires with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
A BSN offers a more comprehensive education and can expand job opportunities, support career advancement and increase earning potential. For working RNs who’ve already completed an ADN program, returning to school for a bachelor’s degree may feel difficult to balance with work and other obligations. However, online RN-to-BSN programs offer a flexible solution to help nurses receive the many benefits of a BSN.
What Is a BSN?
A BSN is typically a four-year undergraduate degree that provides a comprehensive education and clinical experience for prospective nurses and prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). However, RNs with an ADN can expedite this path through an RN-to-BSN program, which can take as little as eight months to complete.
BSN curricula include a wide range of courses that provide a foundational background in clinical nursing, including anatomy, nutrition, and psychological development. BSN programs may also include general education requirements, such as courses covering behavioral sciences, written and oral communication, mathematics, and humanities. Students typically also complete coursework in areas such as gerontological nursing, nursing leadership, community health, and holistic assessments.
Traditional BSN programs typically include clinical training, which provides hands-on experience in a healthcare setting. Online nursing programs designed for working RNs usually don’t require standard clinical hours but may offer field experiences in agencies or community settings. These experiences allow students to work alongside mentors and set their own learning goals, with the opportunity to work in areas outside their current nursing roles.
Professional Outcomes of a BSN
Earning a BSN can open up a variety of career options in nursing and healthcare. Roles that RNs with a BSN degree can pursue include:
- Charge nurse
- Nurse manager
- Nurse case manager
- Clinical coordinator
- Nurse educator
- Insurance company nurse
They can also take on specialized roles in practice areas such as:
- Emergency care
- Labor and delivery
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Public health
- Critical care
Do You Need a BSN to Be an RN?
A BSN isn’t required to become licensed as an RN. Some early-career RNs hold a nursing diploma or an ADN degree, while others earn a BSN as their first degree. Whatever their academic background, all aspiring RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn licensure. However, RNs without a BSN may have fewer job opportunities, limited career advancement options, and lower earning potential.
What Are the Benefits of a BSN for RNs?
Working RNs can benefit significantly from earning a BSN, which can improve their employability, provide a pathway to leadership roles, and increase their earning potential.
Improved Job Prospects
Earning a BSN can improve job opportunities, as many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree. According to a 2023 AACN survey, nearly 70 percent of hospitals and other healthcare employers strongly preferred nursing candidates with a BSN degree, while 25 percent required a BSN for new hires.
Career Advancement
Many employers also prefer or require a BSN for leadership positions. Hospitals that are seeking or have achieved Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which make up nearly 11 percent of all hospitals in the United States, require nurse leaders and managers to hold at least a BSN.
Healthcare facilities may continue to raise nursing education standards, making a BSN necessary to move into higher-ranking leadership positions in many hospitals and other places of employment nationwide.
Earning Potential
Earning a BSN can also improve compensation. The median base salary for RNs with an ADN degree was approximately $82,000 as of March 2026, according to Payscale. By comparison, the median base salary for RNs with a BSN degree was about $101,000 in July 2026. The leadership positions open to BSN graduates also typically offer higher salaries.
Advance Your Nursing Career with a BSN
Between higher earning potential, increased career opportunities and a wider variety of potential employers, the benefits of a BSN for working RNs are clear. If you’re an RN in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas or Oklahoma and ready for the next step in your career, consider SEMO Online’s RN-to-BSN program.
The program offers students the flexibility to learn at their own pace, making it possible to complete the program in as little as eight months for full-time students or 16 months for part-time students. Students complete coursework remotely and complete field experiences at local agencies. Program requirements include a valid nursing license in the state where the student practices, completion of specific courses, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
If you’re ready to embrace new opportunities, let SEMO Online help you take control of your future.
Recommended Readings
How to Transition From Nursing to Healthcare Management
How to Become a Nurse in Missouri
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data
American Nurses Association, ADN vs. BSN: Which Is Right for You?
American Nurses Credentialing Center, Eligibility Criteria
American Nurses Credentialing Center, Find a Magnet Organization
Indeed, “What Is an ADN vs. a BSN? A Guide to Nursing Degrees”
Payscale, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Degree