Here's why I'm in the RN to BS program

So, you graduated from nursing school, and now you’re debating whether or not you should earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing (or BSN, as many people call it). You’re probably wondering, “Why do I need to go back to school for more nursing education when I’ve passed my boards and can practice?”

There are plenty of reasons to obtain your bachelor’s degree—even after you’ve secured a nursing career. As a current student in the RN to BS program at UB, allow me to tell you about the five best reasons to earn your bachelor’s degree!

As nurses in action, we’re constantly learning new ways to keep people safe, treat illness and promote overall health. It only makes sense that we educate ourselves outside of work to reinforce familiar concepts like evidence-based practice and ethics, as well as new material like informatics and family-based nursing. By building on our wealth of knowledge, we can provide better care for our patients while using education to help guide our career path!

Many RN to BS programs—like UB’s—are offered completely online so you can devote class hours according to your personal needs rather than someone else’s schedule. Regardless of what shift or which days you work, content is easy to access at any time, day or night. From my experience, it’s easy to work on class assignments and meet deadlines when it’s on your timeline. 

Rather than devoting additional time to obtain clinical hours as you did in your associate degree in nursing program, your clinical experience can usually be completed at your current place of work. Each class asks you to reflect on your nursing experience and apply it to various assignments. This is not only convenient, but it allows you to reflect on important moments in your nursing career! You’d be surprised by how much you can actually learn from yourself and how it shapes your future practice.

In order to further your nursing aspirations and opportunities to become a nurse educator, nurse practitioner, researcher, leader or one of the many other upper-level nursing careers, you will need a bachelor’s education. Education also enhances your resume, and many hospitals will not consider you for a position if you haven’t completed or are not enrolled in a nursing baccalaureate program. In many ways, your bachelor’s degree in nursing is the foundation for your future as a nurse in whatever capacity you choose!

By enrolling in a bachelor’s in nursing program, you’re expanding your nursing network to include many other nurses who share similar goals. In online programs, some students live in different states, which enhances your experience and provides insight on what nursing is like outside of your hometown. You also have a team of established educators who are readily available to guide you through coursework and provide thoughtful advice.

There are plenty of great reasons to further your nursing education and obtain a bachelor’s degree, and it has never been easier or more convenient. Start building on your nursing foundations and shape your career for the present and future. Go enroll!

Joseph Crane is currently enrolled in in UB SON’s RN to BS program. He graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in management in 2011. After working in a business role in health care for several years, which inspired him to become a registered nurse, he went on to earn his associate degree in nursing from Niagara County Community College. He made the choice to return to UB to earn his bachelor’s degree in nursing and build on his foundations as an RN.