As the U.S. population ages and the provision of healthcare grows increasingly complex, healthcare employers are seeking out registered nurses (RNs) with at least a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). In fact, the Institute of Medicine recommends that 80 percent of nurses hold a BSN degree by 2020. BSN-educated nurses often hold superior skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion.
BSN program overview
There are two main categories of BSN offerings. Students who are new to nursing can enroll in a traditional four-year prelicensure program. This course of study prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN initial licensure exam. Existing nurses may elect instead to complete an RN-to-BSN program. This enables RNs who already hold an associate’s degree to earn the BSN in a shorter amount of time. Both options are available at several Nevada colleges and universities, including University of Nevada’s two campuses in Las Vegas and Reno.
The BSN program prepares students for work in a variety of healthcare settings, ranging from hospitals to long-term care facilities. Indeed, a robust job market awaits Nevada’s BSN-educated nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RN employment will increase 19 percent during the next decade, significantly faster than average. Nevada’s 17,000 RNs receive a median annual salary of $78,250. Those with BSN degrees frequently earn top-quartile pay of $91,500 or more per year. Major Nevada healthcare employers include St. Rose Dominican Hospitals and Genesis HealthCare.
To help Nevada’s current and aspiring nurses build a successful career, we’ve profiled below several of the best BSN programs in the state.