Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree Program Guide

Considering a career in healthcare? Nurses are in extreme demand as the U.S. battles a nursing shortage, which may leave you contemplating whether to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

This nursing degree program guide will walk you through what to expect from a BSN program, as well as the expedited pathways to earning a BSN. You can also read on to learn more about what it takes to get into a BSN program and how many years you’ll spend earning your degree.

A BSN degree, or a bachelor of science in nursing, is the most common degree type for practicing nurses in the U.S.

It’s through a BSN program that you’ll learn many of the skills necessary to function as a nurse. This includes ways to work with patients and physicians that lead to favorable health outcomes.

A BSN degree will set you up to pursue a nursing license. A license is one of the requirements for a career in nursing, and most students who take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) do so right after graduation.

There are two primary structures for an online BSN program: synchronous and asynchronous learning.

In a synchronous program, you’ll be expected to attend lectures and complete coursework at a specified time. In an asynchronous program, you can complete class requirements at your own pace so long as you hit deadlines. Earning a BSN also requires an in-person clinical experience.

If you’re attending an online BSN program, you will likely need to find a nearby healthcare facility where you can complete your practicum requirement. Alternatively, if you live close to the school, you may also be able to complete these requirements on campus.

Online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs function similarly, although you can typically skip general education requirements through these programs.

You will likely have flexibility in the courses you take while pursuing a BSN, but there are many foundational courses nearly all future nurses must take. Some of those classes include:

An online BSN program can take 1-4 years, depending on your education, experience, and whether you attend full time or part time. The type of nursing program, such as an RN-to-BSN or an accelerated BSN, also affects your graduation timeline.

RN-to-BSN programs are designed for working nurses. If you attend full-time, you can complete most programs in 1-2 years. Part-time students may need up to four years. Accelerated BSN programs for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can be completed in two years or less.

Getting into a BSN program is a similar process to getting into any bachelor’s program. You should plan to submit the following application materials when applying:

If you are a high school senior pursuing a BSN after graduation, you may also want to include a list of extracurricular activities you were involved in.

It’s worth noting that BSN programs have varying degrees of selectivity. Enrolling in a BSN program at an Ivy League institution may require a minimum GPA of 3.80 or higher.

Meanwhile, a public college or university with mid-level selectivity will likely have a lower GPA threshold of around 3.0. Many community colleges don’t have a minimum GPA requirement.

The application process for an RN-to-BSN program or accelerated BSN program will likely be different than that of a traditional BSN. These programs will require you to show proof that you meet the prerequisites to enroll.

You’ll need to prove that you already have an RN license to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. You may also need to provide your college transcripts to start an accelerated BSN program so that your institution can count previously earned credits.

Nursing salaries typically are high enough to live comfortably. Individual salaries, however, are dependent on many factors. Location is a big one, as nurses in high-cost cities are more likely to earn higher salaries than those in rural areas.

The type of healthcare facility you work for will also influence your salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses who work at hospitals earned a median salary of nearly $10,000 higher than those who worked at residential care facilities in 2023.

West Coast states tend to pay the highest salaries to RNs. These states also tend to have among the highest costs of living in the U.S., so it’s fitting that RNs are paid handsomely there. Even still, every state in the country reported an average salary of at least $65,000.

When determining whether a BSN is right for you, first ask yourself whether you’d enjoy a career as a nurse. While the role may be stressful, many nurses report that helping patients heal is a fulfilling experience.

Next, it’s important to consider that a BSN is becoming a common prerequisite among many healthcare institutions.

Just under 72% of practicing nurses in the U.S. held at least a BSN by 2022. Research has also shown that hiring nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree may lead to better patient outcomes, including improved patient mortality rates.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 11, 2024.