If you have already earned an Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and are currently working as a registered nurse, you have likely heard talk about the advantages of acquiring a BSN through an RN to BSN Program (also known as RSN to BSN Bridge Programs). However, if you are already earning a comfortable living as an RN, would it be worth investing more money, time, and hours of studying to earn a BSN?

This article will provide you with the critical information that will help you assess if completing an RSN to BSN program is easy. I will cover what an RN to BSN program is, why you should consider one, and what it takes to complete such a program.

Before we dive into what it takes to complete an RN to BSN bridge program, let us clarify what an RN to BSN bridge program is.

What is an RN to BSN Program?

RN to BSN Programs are nursing programs that offer already working Registered Nurses and those holding associate's degrees a streamlined path to earning a BSN degree; they provide a bridge for nurses with ADNs to obtain a BSN.

While it is true that you only need an associate's degree in nursing to work as an RN, ADNs do not offer all the significant advantages of a BSN.

Why get a BSN?

If you want to increase your employment opportunities and to earn potential as a nurse, receiving a BSN will surely help you achieve those goals. Nurses holding a BSN degree have an average salary of $47,127 per year. However, RNs with a BSN can get as much as $97,000 depending on the location, experience, and facilities they work.

Additionally, the skills and knowledge obtained from a BSN program will make you qualified for more employment opportunities than nurses with just an ADN. Here are a few examples of employment opportunities that a BSN may offer that an ADN typically will not:

Head nurse
Nurse educator
Nurse manager
Department chief
Administrative manager
Clinical nurse manager

But perhaps most significantly, the additional education and training will help you provide more specialized care to your patients.

How Hard Is an RN to BSN Program?

The level of difficulty of an RN to BSN nursing program (or any program) largely depends on your capabilities and various other unknown variables. However, understanding the requirements for completing a BSN program and understanding your academic strengths and weaknesses will help you gauge how difficult it will be.

These bridge programs intend to advance your career in a short amount of time. They are fast-paced and cover a great deal of information quickly. Because of this time restriction, some individuals find the RN to BSN program challenging. However, the courses and material within the program are in line with other nursing programs and will evoke similar difficulties as others.

Completing this bridge program should not be much more challenging than obtaining your RN license if you are great at prioritizing your time and multi-tasking.

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Application requirements

While application requirements for RN to BSN programs vary from school to school, here is a list of criteria that such a program can be guaranteed to require:

2.5+ GPA;
Official transcripts (sealed) from previously attended colleges;
An active Registered Nurse license;
Completed application and paid the application fee.

Besides, typical application requirements for an RN to BSN program will require students to have 120-hour minimum credit hours and general prerequisite courses such as English, history, and math.

Curriculum

Typically, RN to BSN programs require a total of 120 credits as specified by the U.S. Department of Education and consist of:

30 upper-division nursing courses
30 credits derived from practical/clinical training and equivalency exams
About 60 lower-division undergraduate courses (usually already achieved while earning an ADN)

Typical courses you will find when attending the RN to BSN program include:

Professional Nursing in the Evolving Healthcare System
Clinical Reasoning: Health Assessment
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Genetics and Genomics in Nursing Practice
Inquiry and Evidence in Professional Nursing Practice
Seminar in Professional Nursing
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Nursing Care: Population Health
Policy and Change in Nursing Practice
Leadership and Innovation in Nursing Practice
Professional Nursing Transformation

Clinical Hours

As an RN, you already have experience meeting clinical hour requirements. RN to BSN bridge programs also require many clinical hours to graduate. However, depending on the program, it is not uncommon for certain work experiences to be accepted as credit, reducing the number of clinical hours required.

Before applying, check with the school you want to attend to see what experience and education you may already have that they will accept as transferable.

Program’s length

RN to BSN programs are for nurses that already hold an ADN, so these programs alone usually take around two years to complete. Depending on the RN to BSN program you enroll in, it typically takes 1-2 years to bridge from RN to BSN.

However, this also depends on what courses you completed in your ADN program. When you apply to a bridge program, they will assess your transcripts and see if any previously completed credits may apply to the BSN bridge program requirements.

Since RN-to-BSN programs are mainly for working nurses, they are remarkably flexible. Alternatively, it is possible to complete some programs in as few as twelve to sixteen months.

Program’s costs

The cost of an RN to BSN program varies greatly depending on whether you enroll in an online program or a traditional on-campus program. Online programs can range from $25,00 to $80,000. On-campus programs are steeper in price, starting from $32,000 to $100,000 a year.

Key Takeaway: Why Go for an RN to BSN Program?

While it has become increasingly common for newly licensed RNs to enter the workforce with BSNs, the nursing field has become more competitive than ever. For already licensed RNs, the best path to advancing your nursing career is to earn a BSN through an RN to BSN program.

Let’s review some of the fundamental benefits that an RN to BSN Program offers:

Increased work opportunities
Ability to provide superior care to patients
Specialized training, skill, and knowledge
Increased earnings

While a BSN will surely bring serious advantages, it is crucial to consider what completing an RSN to BSN program will take before committing to such an investment. However, if you are up for the challenge and you know you can see it through, enrolling in an RSN to BSN program is one of the best decisions you could make for your future.

How Hard Are RN-to-BSN Bridge Programs?: Everything You Need to Know