BS - Bachelor of Science with Nursing Major

The Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree completed at a college university that prepares the learner to become a registered nurse (RN). This preparation differs from the two-year degree (ADN) offered at community colleges. The ADN and BSN program will prepare the nurse for licensure by examination to become an RN, but the BSN degree also focuses on additional skills beyond fundamental nursing competencies.

Costs: Tuition costs vary significantly. However, the average cost of tuition at public schools runs between $9,000 and $14,000 per year while it costs between $20,000 and $30,000 per year at a private school.

Obtaining a BSN degree

The admission requirements for a BSN degree program will differ based on the school, but the majority seek the following prerequisites to be submitted with an application.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be competitive

• Essays

• Recommendation letters

• Volunteer experience

• Specific coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, statistics, and microbiology

Some programs will require entrance exams such as the ACT, SAT, or GRE. Specific nursing entrance exams include the Nursing Entrance Test (NET) or Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test.

Once admitted to a BSN program, the curriculum includes didactic and clinical learning experiences. The coursework is designed to prepare the learner with the foundational competencies to provide nursing care. The clinical experiences involve working with clinical instructors and experienced RNs in the field to demonstrate the skills required for an RN. The required clinical hours are around 500 to 1000 hours to be completed during the BSN program.

The RN with an ADN or an applicant with a degree in another field may apply to an accelerated BSN or bridge program that allows the student to apply previously earned coursework to a BSN without completing another four years of study for the BSN degree. 

In addition, many universities offer online didactic courses to assist working professionals seeking a BSN degree.

There are many financial aid options for the student seeking a BSN degree. Most students pay for their tuition with a combination of student loans, grants, and scholarships. Employers may also offer tuition assistance as a benefit.

The BSN degree is becoming a requirement for many healthcare facilities for entry to practice in some states. In addition, a BSN degree opens doors for progressive career opportunities and higher salaries.