Growing Strong: Going for Your Next Degree

Course overview

Historically, there have been multiple paths to Registered Nurse licensure in the United States, with all applicants taking the same exam regardless of education level. Nurses trained in hospitals and army bases have worked alongside those taught in community colleges, technical colleges, and universities. In the past two decades, nursing professional and educational organizations, as well as respected healthcare research institutions, have proposed that the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) should be the basic educational requirement of all Registered Nurses in the future. This course discusses why obtaining a BSN is beneficial for nurses, patient care, and the healthcare system and outlines various paths to earning the degree. It also describes advanced degree options available to nurses and associated career opportunities.