Earning Your BSN Online Can Help Advance Your Nursing Career (2024)

Aspiring nurses fortunately have a few educational options. You can earn RN licensure with a hospital diploma program, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The right pathway for you can depend upon personal factors such as finances and how quickly you’d like to jump into your nursing career.

However, there are numerous benefits to earning a BSN. In recent years, many large nursing organizations, including the American Nursing Association (ANA) have made statements in favor of BSN degrees for RNs. Magnet hospitals and other major employers have begun seeking out BSN-educated nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs made a median annual salary of $86,070 in 2023, but some employers may offer higher salary ranges. Additionally, nurses with BSNs may be eligible to advance their careers by stepping into leadership roles, such as nurse manager or nurse educator.

“The BSN prepares nurses to practice the full scope of nursing responsibilities across all healthcare settings…”

-Dr. Lisa Bechok, DNP, RN, CNE

“The BSN prepares nurses to practice the full scope of nursing responsibilities across all healthcare settings,” said Dr. Lisa Bechok DNP, RN, CNE, Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing at Southern New Hampshire University. “BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management and health promotion—and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.”

Schools around the country offer online BSN degree programs. You earn your degree in an average of four years of full-time study. After you earn your BSN, you’ll be prepared to take any additional steps in your state’s nursing licensure process, such as taking the NCLEX-RN. From there, you can begin applying for nursing roles.

“Nurse executives, federal agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, healthcare foundations, magnet hospitals and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to healthcare,” Dr. Bechok said.

What to expect from an online BSN program

The exact courses in your online BSN degree program will depend on your school and factors such as the minor you have chosen. However, all programs are designed to prepare you to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and for a successful career as an RN. To help you achieve these goals, you’ll typically find coursework in:

“Courses in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program cover many topics such as leadership, nursing in the community, research, clinical judgment, concepts of professional nursing practice, strategies for quality improvement, professional identity and advocacy and global health and diversity,” Dr Bechok told us.

Since you’ll be earning a bachelor-level degree, you’ll also take core classes in non-nursing subjects such as writing, math, science and arts. The courses offered to you will depend on your school. Additionally, you might take courses in specialty nursing areas, such as maternity or trauma nursing. These courses can prepare you to work with specific groups or on specialized hospital units.

Admission to BSN online programs

Admission to an online BSN program requires admittance to the college or university that is offering the BSN degree. Some schools have additional requirements for prospective nursing students. For instance, some schools ask that you complete a year of core coursework and maintain a set GPA before you begin taking nursing courses. As a rule, the college admissions process will require an application along with:

• Transcripts from your previous education
• A solid GPA
• Letters of reference
• A criminal background check

Most programs require a high school diploma for admittance. You’ll likely be asked to send in proof of your diploma along with your application packet. Some schools also ask for additional steps such as an admission interview or an application essay. You can find details about application requirements on the school’s website.

Career pathways for grads of BSN programs

A BSN can open the door to multiple nursing roles. You’ll be prepared for jobs in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, mental health facilities and more. Your BSN may even allow you to apply for job titles that aren’t typically open to RNs who’ve earned a diploma or ADN, and with employers who prefer BSN-educated RNs.

Nurses with a BSN can pursue nursing roles, such as:

• Hospital nurse: Hospitals are the first employer of many nurses. With a BSN, you might be able to apply to employers such as magnet hospitals or hospitals run by the Veterans Administration.
• Nurse educator: Nurse educators are dedicated to improving care on a unit or floor or in a facility. They take on this task by organizing and running staff training on important clinical topics.
• Nurse manager: Nurse managers are in charge of the daily operations of a nursing unit. They coordinate daily care by taking on staffing, communication and problem-solving.
• Health educators: Health educators work with the community. They spend their days presenting important information to about important health topics such as diabetes, blood pressure and cancer screenings. coach teaches the public about healthcare topics.
• Legal nurse consultant: Legal nurse consultants take on tasks such as serving as expert witnesses during trials and going over the medical details of legal cases. They work with law firms and serve as healthcare experts.

Here are the median annual salaries from the BLS for some of the above roles:

How to succeed in remote BSN programs

Online programs are designed to be flexible. They often have working adults in mind. Classes are structured so that students can fit them into their lives along with responsibilities such as career and family.

Of course, taking courses at home with a flexible schedule doesn’t mean that meaning your BSN online is easy. It’s still a challenge to master the material and succeed in your courses. Many schools with online degree programs have resources available for students. You might find online study groups and tutoring sessions, academic advising and prepared online study materials.

Using these resources can help you as you make your way through your degree program. For instance, an online group study session can help you connect with other aspiring nurses and go over your understanding of assignments and readings together.

“Nurses working on an online BSN are juggling many responsibilities, but there are ways to work around this challenge.” Dr. Bechok said. “With online learning, you can study at any time. One of the biggest restrictions for in-person classes is that they occur only at certain times on certain days. For instance, if you can’t attend a lecture on Wednesday at 3 pm for the entire semester, you may not pass. With online classes, you have freedom and flexibility. Assignments, readings and projects will have due dates, but you’ll be free to do the preparation for them in your own time.”

There are also some best practice tips that can help any student in any degree program. For instance, you can:

• Eliminate distractions: Studying in a place that’s free of any distractions, including phone calls, texts, social media alerts, music and television noise, can improve your focus and help you study.
• Stick to a plan: It can help to create a plan for each course in a semester. A plan allows you to keep track of assignments, quizzes and tests, and allows you to make smart decisions about where to focus your study efforts in each session.
• Break down large assignments: For many people, breaking down a large task makes it more manageable. For instance, you can try splitting a lengthy chapter into sections or a long study session into shorter blocks.
• Use flashcards: Flashcards are a popular study method that many students find effective. They’re a good way to memorize information and prepare for exams.
• Take practice tests: Practice tests are another common study method that many students use. You might be able to find practice tests online. If not, you can create your own using your notes, quizzes and other coursework.

Dr. Bechok said that it can also help to pace yourself. She told us that going slowly through your coursework can keep you from getting overwhelmed and can help you get the most from your education.

“I always encourage students to start slow. Start with one class and see how that feels. If that feels good, give yourself some time to get into the rhythm of balancing your life and your schoolwork and then decide if you can add another course.” Dr. Bechok explained. “This is not a race. Make sure you take the time to enjoy and learn deeply in each course so that you can get the most out of every course you take.”

Resources for students pursuing a BSN degree online

Professional organizations can be great resources before you even earn your license. Nursing organizations can help student nurses study, fund their education and more. As a student, you can check out:

• The National Student Nurses Association (NSNA): The NSNA site offers resources for nursing students such as study tips, career guides, webinars and more.
• The American Academy of Nursing (AAN): The AAN is a great place to connect with fellow nurses. On their site, you’ll find a job board, industry news and updates about AAN’s advocacy for nursing leadership.
• The American Nursing Association (ANA): As the country’s largest nursing organization, the ANAhas a wealth of resources to offer nursing students. You’ll find networking opportunities, a career board, success guides, study tips and more.
• The National League for Nursing (NLN): The NLNoffers virtual courses and the chance to earn specialty certifications. The NLN is dedicated to nursing education, and you’ll also find information about upcoming events and industry news on their site.
• The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): The NBNA offers a variety of resources for Black nursing professionals in the United States, Eastern Caribbean and Africa. You’ll find a podcast, career center, networking opportunities, connections to local chapters, information about conferences and more.
• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): The AACNcan connect you with a range of valuable information, such as details about grants and scholarships, career planning guides and webinars.

How to choose the right online BSN program

There are multiple factors that can affect what makes a program a good fit for you. Features such as cost, class size, schedule flexibility, faculty experience, graduate career success, student resources offered and fit with your nursing goals can all make a big difference. As you begin to research online BSN programs, it can help to figure out if any features are crucial for you. For instance, if you need schedule flexibility and affordability, you can focus on schools that offer those features. If you want a school with connections to certain hospitals or providers in your local area, you use that as a criterion to narrow your search.

The importance of accreditation

It’s important not to overlook accreditation in your search. Accreditation is a program feature that’s always crucial, no matter what other features are important to you. Accreditation is the best way to ensure that your chosen program has met national standards and will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN and for your nursing career.

Nursing programs are accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both organizations have directories of accredited schools available on their sites. You can browse the AACN directoryand the ACEN directory online.

Browse our vetted RN-to-BSN programs

Take the first step toward your BSN online

Earning your BSN can prepare you for a nursing career with room for growth. You’ll have the educational foundation you need to apply for roles at top employers, and you’ll have an advanced and well-rounded understanding of nursing topics.

“It can be exhausting, but the rewards of getting your degree are worth it,” Dr. Bechok concluded.

If an online BSN sounds like a good fit for your career goals, our Find Schools button can help you discover accredited programs. When you’re ready to get started, you can use it to research schools and find a great match.

Written by:

Stephanie Srakocic
Contributing Writer

April 2, 2024

With professional insight from:

Dr. Lisa Bechok, DNP, RN, CNE
Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing, Southern New Hampshire University