Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an important step for those who are looking to take their career in nursing to the next level. With a BSN, you will be able to open up more job opportunities and increase your earning potential. Additionally, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to better serve patients and help them achieve better outcomes. This article will discuss the benefits of obtaining a BSN and how a collegiate nursing education can enhance your career growth in the field of nursing.

What is a BSN and Why Should You Consider Getting One?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is committed to providing the highest quality of nursing education to ensure that nurses are adequately prepared for the challenges and demands of the profession. As such, they believe that a bachelor’s degree should be the standard nursing degree. This is because a bachelor’s degree provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of nursing, as well as an opportunity to develop their professional skills. Furthermore, it also prepares them to provide safe and effective care to individuals and communities. Therefore, AACN believes that having a bachelor’s degree as the standard nursing degree will help ensure that nurses are well-equipped to provide high-quality care.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree program that prepares students for a career in nursing. It provides comprehensive education and training in the medical field, allowing them to become registered nurses (RNs). With an RN to BSN online program, you can earn your BSN without having to attend classes on campus. This makes it easier for working professionals who want to pursue their degree while continuing to work full-time.

Having a BSN gives you the knowledge and skillset needed to provide quality care for patients in all types of settings. It also opens up more job opportunities, higher salaries, and better career prospects than those with just an RN license. If you’re considering a career in nursing or already have an RN license, then getting your BSN is definitely worth considering.

As we have reached the deadline set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to make a bachelor’s degree the standard for RNs (which was originally set for 2020), hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been strongly urging their ADN nurses to increase their credentials. For the nurses in question, the expense of going back to school can be intimidating. So where can nurses get a free BSN? 

One way to earn a free nursing degree is to join a branch of the military that offers nursing education in exchange for a commitment to serve for a set time period. The Navy, Army and Air Force all have their own programs for active service members who want to become nurses. You should talk to a recruiter for the most up-to-date information. However, here are a few of the available programs.

The Benefits of Obtaining a BSN Degree for Your Career Growth

Obtaining a BSN degree can be a great way to advance your career in the nursing profession. With a BSN, nurses are able to move up in their position, potentially earning higher salaries and gaining access to more advanced practice opportunities. Not only does having a BSN make you more marketable for employers, but it also gives you the opportunity to enhance your skillset and knowledge base. This article will explore the various benefits of obtaining a BSN degree for your career growth and how it can help you reach new heights in the nursing profession.

How A BSN Degree Can Help You Stand Out From the Crowd and Get Hired Faster

In today’s competitive job market for nurses, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a valuable asset for any nurse. With a BSN, you can gain access to higher-paying positions that require more knowledge and experience than those with just an associate’s degree. Additionally, a BSN degree gives you the opportunity to specialize in areas such as geriatrics, pediatrics, or advanced practice nursing. As a result, your career options are broadened and you can command higher salaries in your field.

Additionally, employers recognize the importance of this specialized knowledge and are increasingly seeking out nurses with BSN degrees. As an RN with a BSN degree, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and excellence in the field. By having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, you can open up new career opportunities and increase your earning potential.

Furthermore, having a BSN degree also allows you to pursue advanced certifications that will make you even more attractive to potential employers. Not only will it provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a variety of healthcare settings, but it can also open up opportunities for specializations and advanced certifications. These certifications provide nurses with the knowledge and skills to take on new roles in their field and become a leader in their profession. Specialized certifications include:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)

Other specializations include public health nursing, nursing informatics, and more. These are some of the most sought-after certifications that can help nurses further their careers.With a BSN degree, you can demonstrate your commitment to the profession and stand out as an attractive candidate for potential employers.

How to Pick a Nursing Concentration

When you are looking into the different nursing fields available for your career, you may notice that you have many different options. You can work in neonatal nursing, maternal health during pregnancy, child healthcare, adult-gerontology, and a variety of other areas of interest. The challenge is clarifying the different nursing fields that appeal to your personal goals. 

Nursing majors often apply to the master’s level of education. The challenge of choosing masters in nursing specialties is the variety of options available in many schools and programs.

Nurses who want to work with children may consider neonatal nursing, which focuses on childbirth and the care of an infant directly after birth, or working in pediatric medicine. You can also consider a role as a nurse-midwife and provide care to expectant mothers throughout the pregnancy and birth of a child.

If you prefer to work with the elderly, then you may consider working in gerontology. A nurse working in adult-gerontology may assist elderly patients with different age-related health conditions as well as providing appropriate care to elders.

Nurses may also consider working in critical care nursing when planning a career path. Critical care nursing focuses on helping in emergency situations. You may work with doctors in an emergency room or provide continuing care to patients in a critical care unit of a medical facility.

A health policy nurse may have specialized education in medical policy, regulations, and related topics. Since the role may require you to work in a government position, it focuses on using your knowledge of nursing to determine if new policies or regulations are appropriate for the state or on a federal level.

As a general rule, you want to choose an area of specialization that fits your personal goals. Focus on your plans for your career, and then work through the options to find the concentration that is ideal for your situation.

Accelerated, Executive, and Other Non-Traditional Formats

Non-traditional formats in education are growing as nurses turn to alternative methods of education to keep up with their careers and their studies at the same time. Accelerated nursing programs are a good option for nurses who already have an associate degree ADN or nursing diploma and plan to finish a bachelors, master’s degree, doctor of nursing practice, or a related degree at a fast pace. Much of the time all you need to start an online nursing degree is an associate’s and an unencumbered RN license.

In most cases, accelerated nursing programs online allow professional nurses who are already working in their fields to continue advancing through higher education with a baccalaureate degree program. For example, a registered nurse with an associate’s degree may consider an accelerated RN to BSN program to finish up their nursing bachelor’s degree while they are working as a nurse.

You can also consider executive programs, which are designed around the challenges of working adults. Executive programs may be fully online or partially online, depending on the school and the format. Programs that are partially online may require students to attend a few on-campus courses, which are usually available on weekends or during evening hours. It may or may not use an accelerated format.

The majority of the non-traditional formats focus on online or partially online formats for education. In some cases, it may also refer to completion programs on-campus that are designed around adults who have complex schedules. For example, it may offer weekend classes or evening classes on specific days of the week. Alternatively, it may set up a schedule that alternates the weeks for student education, so you will want to evaluate the program to clarify the scheduling and details.

When you are looking into a non-traditional, affordable online rn nursing program, you should be aware that some programs are designed around the idea of a completion program. That means the program allows students to transfer credits from previous education into the program to complete a higher level of education that they did not finish at an earlier time. For example, obtaining a bachelor’s degree as a completion program to an associate’s degree. 

Look into the details of the non-traditional format to clarify if you need to have some level of education to qualify for the program. In the case of online accelerated programs, it may allow BSN students to start their education and finish a degree at an accelerated pace. Alternatively, online accelerated programs may require students to meet prerequisites for courses at the undergraduate level and may only offer courses directly related to nursing through the online format.

Make sure you are aware of the details of each program before you decide to pursue an online degree. You want to know if the program is fully online or partially online, as well as any details related to prerequisites that may apply to the program.

Who Offers Free Nursing Degrees?

Air Force Nurse Enlisted Commission Program

The US Air Force has taken a major step forward in promoting healthcare and nursing with the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP). The program allows enlisted airmen and airwomen to get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) while simultaneously becoming a commissioned officer. With this program, the Air Force is taking an important step towards providing better healthcare for its members, as well as allowing them to pursue a career in nursing.

Army Health Professions Scholarship Program

The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is an incredible opportunity for active-duty soldiers to gain access to a range of educational and professional opportunities. Through HPSP, soldiers can choose from over 150 career paths, including nursing – while receiving a salary, 30 days paid vacation, free healthcare and numerous other benefits. This program offers unprecedented access to the health field for those in the military who would otherwise find it difficult or impossible to pursue their dreams.

Naval Nursing Careers

Active naval personnel can obtain free nursing degrees through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship. The Navy pays the cost of your education up to $180,000 and you choose from some of the best U.S. colleges and universities. While you are a student, you concentrate on your education free of military obligations. Your service begins after you complete your program. 

If you are already a nursing student, you can receive a grant of $10,000 plus a monthly stipend of $1,000 per month for 24 months. 

Can I Get Free Online Nursing Courses with Certificate?

Yes, there are many free online nursing courses with certificate for those interested in learning more about nursing. If you are already a nurse, there are also free courses to fulfill your continuing education units (CEUs). You may need to renew some CEUs, such as CPR, First Aid, and BLS, every two years. This can become expensive if you don’t take advantage of free options. 

Nurses often have to find their own resources to meet their state’s continuing education units. Here are just a few examples of free options that may satisfy your CEU requirements.

Free Online Nursing Courses with Certificate

Medline University is a MOOC with hundreds of CEU healthcare courses available. Choose from a wide spectrum of courses from COVID-19 safety to assisted living versus surgical center care.

Medline University courses include:

• American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)
• International Association of Health Care Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
• National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards
• Non-CEU courses for those interested in health care.

Canvas Offers Numerous Free Courses

Canvas offers free courses for nurses and health care professionals. The extensive course selection includes everything from nutrition to health assessment to nursing, including a BBP certificate. Additional courses include best practice, psychology and other topics. Some classes are available in several languages.

Where Are the Cheapest Online RN to BSN Programs?   

With the increasing demand for higher-level nursing jobs, employers are pushing for nurses to get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) quickly. For nurses looking to further their education, there are a variety of online RN to BSN programs available. The quickest and most affordable option is typically found in smaller regional universities, religious colleges, and online learning platforms. These programs offer a flexible way to earn a nursing degree without breaking the bank.

Even though there are few completely free programs, there are many ways nursing students can get their degrees without any cost to themselves: 

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Employer reimbursement
• federal financial aid

Scholarships and grants are two of the best ways to save money when trying to earn an online BSN degree. While most scholarships are for students just entering college, there are many that are available for advanced students who are working on the BSN or MSN degree program. Grants are also a great way to defray the cost of your education. Most grants are multi-year gifts which means that you will receive the grant for every year you are in college. (Two- to four-year programs) In order to earn scholarships and grants, students must maintain a GPA that is specified by the organization offering the scholarship.

Another way to defray the cost of earning an online BSN degree program is to discuss possible payment options with your employer. Many employers will offer to reimburse you for your educational expenses if you pass each class with a specific GPA and keep an active RN license. You must pay for the courses first, but once you graduate and earn your degree, your employer will reimburse you for all or at least part of your expenses. Many companies require that you agree to remain with them for a certain amount of time if you accept their offer of reimbursement.

Scholarships for Nursing Students

Nursing scholarships are available to most students seeking a degree in nursing. You should be aware that scholarships for nursing students fall into a few different categories: scholarships through the college or university, private scholarships, state or federally funded scholarships, and need-based scholarships.

Scholarships for nursing majors may differ based on the college or university you attend. You should be aware that some schools may have differences between online and on-campus students, so you may need to evaluate the qualification standards before applying to nurse scholarships through your college or university. 

Nurse scholarships and grants are not limited to undergraduate students. You can find scholarships and grants that apply to students pursuing a higher level of education. In some cases, the scholarships are designed for master’s level students while other programs may apply to doctoral students.

When you are looking into scholarships, you will want to evaluate the nursing scholarships application form to clarify the qualification standards. In some cases, you will need to write an essay or maintain a certain grade point average to qualify for the scholarship.

A nurse scholarship essay varies based on your level of education. At the undergraduate level, you may focus on writing about the reasons you want to become a nurse or related topics. In more advanced studies, you may need to write essays about your experience as a nurse. Look at nursing scholarship essay examples to clarify the topics or writing styles that are most appropriate to the scholarship.

No essay nursing scholarships may require a letter of recommendation from an employer or an educator. When you need a nursing scholarship recommendation letter, make sure you get the letter from an appropriate individual. A nursing scholarship letter of recommendation may require specific individuals to provide the letter. For example, a scholarship from a specific association or organization may require a letter from a member of the organization. 

Nursing students may also discover that some scholarships are designed specifically around a specialized area of education. For example, scholarships may apply to students who plan to study addiction treatment as a specialization. Specialized scholarships are designed to encourage students to work in specific fields. You may need to commit a certain amount of time to work in a specific field to qualify for some scholarships.

Nursing students have a variety of options to help with the costs of their education. The key is clarifying the standards set for the scholarship and meeting or exceeding the stated standards. Avoid applying for scholarships that you do not meet the qualification standards. You should also be aware that some scholarships and grants are need-based, so you may need to provide details about personal income or show a reason that you need the scholarship to help with the costs of your education.

Nursing is a growing industry and you have many opportunities for your career when you obtain a degree and license as a nurse. The key is finding the right concentration for your interests and focusing on getting the right education to help with your long-term goals. By setting a clear plan of action, you can move forward in your career and help others as a nurse.

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