Advance your nursing career with a Bachelor's degree |
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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a valuable degree in the healthcare industry. With an aging population, nurses are becoming an increasingly sought after commodity, and those with a four year BSN degree are frequently preferred for their broader scope of training. With over 140 hospitals in Illinois alone, it is easy to see the opportunities available for nursing employment. Although in many ways similar to an Associate Degree in Nursing, the BSN tends to have a deeper level of focus on critical thinking, leadership skills, anatomy, and health care resources. Additionally, many BSN programs offer diverse training environments. While the hospital may be the backbone of the nursing industry, a BSN often teaches students to be adaptable to off-site working conditions, whether in the home or private practice. Due to the high demand, BSN degree programs are often academically and emotionally demanding. High pressure learning situations are ideal for preparing students for the long and stressful periods in which professional nurses often find themselves. Moreover, many schools have a minimum Grade Point Average that must be maintained. Science and mathematics are at a premium both in applying for, and once enrolled in, degree programs, while courses in microbiology and pharmacology are as common as courses in healthcare management and medical ethics. Accredited BSN degrees can be earned online or in a traditional classroom setting. Although many of these degree programs tend to be full time endeavors, more and more schools are offering RN to BSN degrees for working nurses. These RN to BSN degrees may accept previous coursework from associate programs, cutting down the time to graduation to two years. Similarly, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) may find BSN programs willing to accept previous coursework. In Illinois there are at least 30 tertiary schools that offer BSN or RN to BSN degrees. The quality and design of these individual schools certainly varies, but a BSN degree must be accredited by the CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Those earning a degree are then allowed to sit for the RN licensing exam offered by the National Council of Licensure. In Illinois, the average salary for a BSN nurse is around $81,000, although experience, location, and other factors certainly come into play. All things considered, a BSN can be a valuable and lucrative investment for those seeking a career in the nursing industry. |
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Online BSN Degree in IllinoisBrowse our active list of schools in Illinois that currently offer an online BSN program Sorry, we could not find any matching schools List of CCNE Accredited BSN
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National Directory of BSN Programs |
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