[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”]Average Program Length4 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”]Average Credits Required120[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”]Average Earning Potential$52,080-$111,220[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]Source: BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”mb-1″]Opportunities With a BSN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Good career mobility:[/hen-ui-text] Most administrative and supervisory positions require a BSN.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Path to advancement:[/hen-ui-text] Grants entry to master’s or doctoral nursing programs, leading to career advancement and higher salaries.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job potential:[/hen-ui-text] With a BSN, a range of [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-specialties-guide/”]specialized nursing[/hen-ui-link] jobs outside of the traditional floor nursing is available.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Skills Learned:[/hen-ui-text] Clinical and leadership skills, case management, community participation, nursing care of children and adults[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What To Expect From a Traditional BSN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While curriculum content and timelines vary by program, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.uw.edu/programs/degree/bsn/” target=”_blank”]University of Washington’s[/hen-ui-link] (UW) BSN program offers a general idea of the traditional, four-year nursing school progression during each year of study. BSN students typically spend the first two years completing prerequisite coursework and their final two years immersed in their nursing studies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Year One”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants begin with prerequisite coursework. UW’s School of Nursing, for example, requires 90 quarter credit hours, with a 2.0 cumulative GPA and at least a 2.0 in each course. Students might also consider volunteer work at a hospital or healthcare facility during their first two years to gain experience and augment their applications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Sample Year One Courses:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]English composition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mathematics: algebra with applications, precalculus, calculus with analytic geometry[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nutrition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Philosophy: practical reasoning or introduction to logic[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Principles of chemistry[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Statistical reasoning or elements of statistical methods[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Survey of physiology and elementary physiology lab[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Visual, literary, and performing arts classes[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Year Two”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]During their second year, students complete their remaining prerequisite coursework and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/applying-to-nursing-school/”]apply to nursing schools[/hen-ui-link]. Candidates must have enough time to order transcripts, arrange for recommendation letters, and write personal statements. Some four-year nursing programs require an entrance exam ([hen-ui-link href=”/resources//hesi-exam-guide/”]HESI[/hen-ui-link] or the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//teas-exam-guide/”]Test of Essential Academic Skills[/hen-ui-link]), which requires preparation, as well. Students should also plan to prepare for nursing program interviews, if required.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Sample Year Two Courses:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accelerated (honors) calculus[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Chemistry covering general, organic, and biochemistry[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Intermediate logic[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Introduction to probability and statistics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]General microbiology with lab[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Growth and development through the lifespan[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Literature and medicine[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Preparing for college writing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Year Three”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once students begin nursing school, their workloads increase and intensify. Four-year nursing schools usually discourage employment during the final two years of BSN programs, due to the full slate of [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/what-are-the-hardest-classes-in-nursing-school/”]nursing coursework[/hen-ui-link], labs, seminars, and practicum hours focusing on clinical practice and specific patient populations. We’ve compiled the following course lists from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://students.nursing.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BSN-2020-Curriculum-Grid.pdf” target=”_blank”]UW School of Nursing[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Sample Year Three Courses:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health assessments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare systems and policy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health equity[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Foundational skills for professional nurses[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Foundations in pharmacotherapeutics and pathophysiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fundamentals of nursing practice for illness care[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Introduction to research[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Populations health through community health nursing partnerships[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Year Four”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The fourth year typically includes classes at least three days a week, one 6-8-hour day of clinical work, and a significant amount of homework. In general, for every credit hour of coursework, learners should expect a minimum of two hours spent reading, writing, and studying. In addition, students must look ahead to their [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/how-to-master-nclex-style-test-questions/”]NCLEX-RN licensure exam[/hen-ui-link] and begin preparing at least six months before their test date.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Sample Year Four Courses:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ambulatory care[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Care coordination and case management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Child health[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Informatics, patient safety, and quality improvement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Foundations of interprofessional practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing care of childbearing families[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychosocial nursing in health and illness[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transition to professional practice[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Admission Requirements for a Traditional BSN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Four-year nursing programs maintain distinct application requirements and timelines, but a program beginning in the fall typically sets a January or February deadline to apply. Students should begin assembling their application materials early, particularly if the program requires test scores. Common admission requirements for four-year BSN programs include the following:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prerequisite coursework[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online application[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum 2.5 GPA (potentially higher for individual courses)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]High school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Test scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]2-3 letters of recommendation (professional or academic)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A personal essay or letter outlining academic and career goals and reasons for pursuing a nursing degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Volunteer/work experience (50-100 hours)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Interview with admissions department (in-person, pre-recorded, or virtual)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Resume or CV[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Writing sample or short-essay question responses[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Traditional BSN vs. Bridge Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As opposed to traditional [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN programs[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/nursing-bridge-programs/”]bridge programs[/hen-ui-link] serve nurses who already possess RN or licensed practical nurse licenses. Bridge programs commonly offer online and full-time or part-time options that provide flexibility for working nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They can also streamline the process of earning separate degrees. For example, an RN with an ADN can pursue a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing//”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN) via an RN-to-MSN bridge program to bypass the four-year traditional BSN. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-online-rn-to-bsn-programs/”]RN-to-BSN bridge programs online[/hen-ui-link] allow RNs with ADNs or nursing diplomas to earn their BSNs in 18-24 months of full-time study.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Traditional BSN vs. Accelerated BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-accelerated-bsn-programs-online/”]Accelerated BSN[/hen-ui-link] (ABSN) programs enable applicants with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields to transfer undergraduate credits and fulfill general education and prerequisite coursework requirements. ABSNs allow some students to finish in 1-2 years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many programs only accept applications from candidates with GPAs of 3.0 or higher. The full-time, compressed nature of the ABSN curriculum makes it quite rigorous. Other admission requirements mirror those of four-year [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-bsn-programs-online/”]BSN programs[/hen-ui-link]. At some nursing schools, ABSN students can take classes online and complete their clinical hours at hospitals and medical facilities near their homes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Featured BSN Specialties[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Beyond working in hospitals as RNs, individuals with a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/rn-and-bsn-degree-differences//”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link] find careers as geriatric nurses, OBGYN nurses, and neonatal nurses. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about these specialty occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-6″][hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]Registered Nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other medical facilities, caring for and educating patients and their families about treatments and health maintenance.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary: $73,300[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-6″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/geriatric-nurse/”]Geriatric Nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These professionals work with elderly patients and specialize in dementia, osteoporosis, and other diseases that affect older adults. They also assist with basic living activities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary: $64,870[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job Outlook: positive growth in coming years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-6″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/ob-gyn-nurse//”]OBGYN Nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As specialists working with obstetricians and gynecologists, these nurses care for women throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary: $60,000[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-6″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/”]Travel Nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/salary//”]Travel nurses[/hen-ui-link] work on a contract basis and temporarily help in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. They may be self-employed or receive assignments through agencies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary: $79,000[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-6″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/neonatal-nurse/”]Neonatal Nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These professionals care for newborns in neonatal intensive care units, treating premature babies and infants with illnesses until they gain enough strength to go home.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary: $60,797[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Will I Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]Source: Payscale[/hen-ui-text]