Nursing is one of the most respected and noble career paths. You’ll get to help people daily and learn more with every passing year. However, there are many paths to take to become a nurse, and prospective students might have questions. Faulkner University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at our Montgomery, AL, campus. Here, we discuss the differences between someone with a BSN degree and a registered nurse (RN) to help you make the right choice.
What Is a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN, is a four-year nursing degree from an accredited university, which provides the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a nurse. Through intensive study and a foundational nursing curriculum, BSN degree holders can feel confident in their abilities.
What Is an RN?
Registered Nurse, or RN, is a professional title earned after completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Registered nurses use this licensure and their education (often an associate degree) to work in healthcare settings. RNs may specialize in certain fields, including cardiology, neonatology, and infection control. Certain RN positions may require a BSN such as those in Magnet hospitals, military nurses, case managers, and many supervisory roles.
Why Should You Enroll in a BSN Program?
While RN licensure offers a generous number of opportunities, those with a BSN degree will find even more career paths available to them. This makes a BSN a smart choice for those who know they want to enter the healthcare industry but aren’t sure which positions they’re interested in. Another benefit of a BSN degree is that graduates will get the chance to work in a wide range of environments.
Those holding a BSN degree will also find more room for career advancement and may be great candidates for leadership roles. BSN program graduates can even attend graduate school, allowing them to receive their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or doctorate in nursing.
Lastly, having a degree from a BSN program likely will come with a higher salary. Taking the time to further develop your understanding of the position and all it entails gives employers confidence in your abilities. With a projected growth in nursing jobs of 6% annually through 2033, there will be plenty of job openings.
Our BSN Program
At Faulkner University, we’re proud to offer a challenging and rewarding BSN program at our Montgomery campus that takes four years to complete. Our School of Nursing features a two-part structure. Students start out in our Lower Division, which includes two years of pre-nursing education, helping to build a foundation through core courses. Then, eligible students apply to the Upper Division, which provides more focused studies and hands-on clinical experience, helping students prepare for the nursing licensing exam.
Some of the courses you can expect to take include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Health Nutrition
- Dosage Calculation and Medical Terminology in Nursing
- Pharmacology
- Health Care Informatics for Nursing
- Leadership and Management Nursing Concepts
- Healthcare Disparities
We offer state-of-the-art facilities and highly knowledgeable instructors to help make an impact on your education. Because of our commitment to our students, those who enroll can trust they will be prepared for life after graduation. Our career services department will also help current students and alumni build resumes and find job opportunities.
Start Your Nursing Journey Today at Faulkner University
With so many benefits to working in the healthcare field, it’s no surprise that nursing jobs are expected to grow well into the future. If you want to get a head start on your career, consider enrolling in the BSN program at Faulkner University. Available at our Montgomery, AL, campus, this program provides students with an in-depth curriculum and access to the capital city.
Not only do we provide a strong, personalized education, but as a Christian liberal arts school, we will help you continue to explore your faith. We also have a financial aid department that is happy to work with students and their parents to make education more affordable. If you have any questions, you can request more information or apply now if you’re ready to get started.