A registered-nurse-to-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing (RN-to-BSN) program caters to existing registered nurses who want to advance their careers. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing equips candidates with greater awareness of issues in the healthcare industry, recent findings in nursing science, and the latest in medical technology.
The relatively high average salaries of registered nurses are a testament to the tremendous demand for RNs in Pennsylvania. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average annual salary of $64,830 in the state. However, despite the high numbers of registered nurses working in Pennsylvania, the healthcare industry still faces a significant shortage of qualified professionals. Candidates matriculating into an RN-to-BSN program are thus well-poised to pursue jobs immediately upon graduation.
An RN-to-BSN program is often completed in one-and-a-half to two years, with courses offered both on-campus and online. DeSales University, Immaculate University, Marywood University, and Pennsylvania State University are prominent institutions in the state that provide strong programs. Sample courses in an RN-to-BSN program include Holistic Health, Drugs of Abuse and Mental Health Issues, and Introduction to Computing and Nursing Informatics.
BSN-educated nurses gain the experience, maturity, and leadership abilities that give them an edge over other healthcare professionals. These skills are highly sought after by Pennsylvania’s leading medical institutions, including Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Abington Memorial Hospital.
To make yourself even more attractive to prospective employers, begin an RN-to-BSN program in Pennsylvania by checking out our list of schools below.