BSN or Bachelor of nursing
Also Read: ADN or Associate degree in nursing
BSN or bachelor of nursing graduates are trained professionals whose work saves lives at times of basic human need when concern and care matter the most. With the constant modernization of the health care system, nurses’ roles and skillsets are also continually evolving.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as “a caring-based practice in which processes of diagnosis and treatment are applied to human experiences of health and illness” (ANA, 1994).
For a professional BSN, depending upon how and where one chooses to practice, responsibilities can range from hands-on care to research to create public healthcare policy.
ANA describes three fundamental activities related to nursing:
- Restorative practices modify the impact of illness and disease.
- Supportive practices are oriented toward modification of relationships or the environment to support health.
- Promotive practices mobilize healthy living patterns, foster personal and familial development, and support individuals, families, and communities’ self-defined goals.
There are several entry routes to the Nursing profession. However, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is the path that opens the broadest career options. The market demand for nurses with a BSN degree is growing drastically. A BSN nurse can take on more responsibilities and is consequently remunerated significantly higher.
The BSN program prepares you for being a registered nurse and entry-level practice in various healthcare settings like hospitals and clinics. If you’re already a registered nurse, obtaining a BSN degree will further strengthen your qualifications. An undergraduate degree ensures more excellent career advancement opportunities and higher salary packages. It is also often a prerequisite for teaching, administrative, consulting, and research roles.
You can get a BSN degree at any age or any stage in your professional life. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field or want to switch from a different career path, you can opt for an Accelerated BSN. The course allows students to earn a BSN degree in less than 18 months.
Accelerated BSN programs offer a flexible schedule, with classes mainly taking place in the evening or on weekends. However, these programs can be pretty challenging as you will learn a lot of information in a short amount of time.
Many institutes these days provide flexible options for students wishing to pursue their BSN degrees. This entails that most BSN programs offer you the option of taking online courses that will require your physical presence only for a limited amount of time. Students can combine online courses with on-ground nursing education where practical experience is needed.
Institutes offering online programs usually include a virtual lab component where you can turn the information into practice. However, the field’s nature entails that not all elements of the study can be taught virtually. Hence, students need to attend on-campus classes for lab work and clinical instructions.
Entry requirements for BSN
Entry requirements for BSN degree courses, like other degree programs, vary because each institute sets its own entry criteria. Students are likely to need three A-levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths, and science (usually biology or human biology).
It is better to directly contact universities to determine whether qualifications equivalent to A-levels or GCSEs are acceptable.
Courses often specify preferred or essential A-level or equivalent subjects, such as one science (for example, biology) or social science (for example, psychology). Some universities even offer courses with a foundation year for those without the necessary entry qualifications.
Fee Structure for BSN
The average cost to complete a four-year BSN program in the U.S. ranges from $40,000 to more than $200,000. The difference there reflects the wide variety of available options. The In-state versus out-of-state tuition rates also widen the range.
For institutions in England, the fee for the undergraduate degree is around £9,250 per year. International students’ tuition fees vary, starting at about £10,000 and going up to £38,000 or more for medical degrees.
Course Structure and Content
Students cover a wide range of courses during the 3-4 year degree program. Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, and group work will cover each aspect of Nursing. Students study courses in life sciences and gain firsthand experience via placements in various community and medical centers.
Course work includes courses such as
- Anatomy, or Structure of the Human Body
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Community Health Nursing
- Mental Health
- Health Maintenance and Restoration
- Research
- Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
- Reproductive Health
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Assessment of Health and Illness
Students further choose from among the various fields of nursing. Such as
Adult Nursing: Adult nursing specializes in caring for people aged 18 and above. Some may have one health condition to manage. Others may have multiple conditions.
Gerontological Nursing: Gerontological Nursing is the specialty of nursing pertaining to older adults. Gerontological nurses collaborate with older adults, their families, and communities to support healthy aging, maximum functioning, and quality of life.
Children’s Nursing: A child nurse aims to minimize the effects of illness on children, ensuring they develop into healthy, happy adults. You will work closely with parents or guardians and other healthcare specialists in this role.
Learning Disability Nursing: A learning disabilities nurse works to improve or maintain their patient’s health, encourage independent living. You will work with adults and children who have a range of learning disabilities.
Mental Health Nursing: Psychiatric nursing or mental health nurses specialize in mental health and cares for patients of all ages experiencing mental illnesses or distress.
Salary and Career Opportunities of BSN
Nursing is a career founded on the premise of lifelong learning. It is a dynamic profession that has evolved significantly and will continue to develop through advanced education and evidence-based practice.
Nurses work with people of all ages and backgrounds. They operate in every sort of health setting, from accident and emergency to working in the community, in patient’s homes, or schools.
The employment of registered nurses will grow by 7 percent from 2019 to 2029. The trend is faster than the average for most occupations. Growth will occur for several reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care, demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population (group leads longer and more active lives), and accelerating rates of chronic conditions, such as obesity and diabetes.
According to estimates, 94% of nursing students find a job within six months of completing their degree.
In the Uk, Nurses form the largest group of staff in the NHS and are crucial for the healthcare team. The starting salary for nurses is about £22,000 to £30,000. In the United States, a nurse’s median salary is around $ 73,000 (or $35 per hour).
Also Read: ADN vs BSN
