Advanced Education Gives Nurses the Edge They Need
By Melissa Wirkus, contributor
Are you interested in moving on to a new nursing position in the near future? The key to getting the job you want may be going back to school.
As competition for nursing jobs continues to heat up, RNs are finding that it pays to hold a BSN, MSN or specialty certificate. Although going back to school may seem intimidating or even down-right impossible for some, online degree programs, night school and other modified degree programs allow nurses to continue working part- or full-time while pursuing an advanced degree.
Standing Out from the Competition
An advanced degree can give nurses the edge they need when applying for their next position—and not just for permanent staff. It has become more and more important in the travel nursing sector.
Alexis Garcia, senior recruiter with travel nurse staffing agency NursesRx, said seeing a BSN on a nurse’s application puts them well above the applicants who have only completed the ASN/ADN.
"Just like having more years of experience, having a BSN will make nurses more likely to be considered for the positions that pay higher, and the more desirable locations,” Garcia explained. “In some cases, managers will receive far more applications than they can review, and many will look for a BSN to help them narrow down the candidates.”
Beth Sease, a recruiter for leading nurse staffing company American Mobile Healthcare, said that as the profession evolves, some hospitals are now requiring that nurses have a BSN in order to apply for an assignment.
“One to two years ago this was not that common, but is becoming more and more common as time goes on,” Sease said. “Especially considering the number of applicants right now, hospitals may use BSN as criteria to help narrow down their applicant pool. Considering the number of RNs looking for jobs in this economy, I would recommend getting a BSN.”
Exploring Your Options
Within the past few years, online degree programs have become popular among working professionals who want to get back to school without sacrificing their career. These programs may vary in scope depending on the institution, but most allow students to complete their degree entirely online, in an interactive and personal setting.
Gloria F. Donnelly, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, dean of the college of nursing and health professionals at Drexel University Online, said Drexel offers a variety of programs for RNs looking to further their education. The university can even use a student’s credits earned for his or her associate’s degree toward a BSN.
“The RN-to-BSN program is fully online, and the program has a very generous credit transfer program,” she explained. “Nurses can use previous credits; we do recognize a nurse’s past work. We do transfer in all credits they received at the associate degree level.”
Nurses enrolled in Drexel’s RN-to-BSN program take classes in a variety of subjects that directly pertain to the profession. Classes include aging and longevity, genetics, global health and even a class on how technology and science is changing the health care system and the nursing profession.
The flexibility, convenience and accessibility of online degree programs are what draw many busy, working nurses to this type of program.
“If you get your degree online you can do it in your pajamas,” Donnelly explained. “Everything is at your fingertips. You don’t have to make that extra trip to the library because all of the information is online, and you don’t have to drive down to the local college and find a parking spot.”
When looking at degree programs and colleges, Donnelly advises nurses to do their research and look at all aspects of the program. “You should know whether or not the program is accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means a good level of quality. You should also look at cost and look very closely at advisors.”
Many traditional colleges and online universities also offer MSN programs for nurses who already hold a baccalaureate degree, as well as accelerated RN-BSN-MSN programs.
Never Stop Learning
In addition to leading to higher pay, more opportunity and job advancement, many experts and nursing professionals agree that going back to school and continuous learning is part of a nurse’s commitment to the profession.
“It’s not only the higher pay and career benefits; pursuing a degree and going back to school is really a professional obligation,” Donnelly said. “The worst position an RN can be in is not keeping up with the trends and continuing to learn. It’s a commitment to lifelong learning; a professional obligation to not only yourself but your patients, as well.”
Many travel nursing companies, including American Mobile and NursesRx, understand the importance of continuous learning and partner with online schools, such as RN.com, that can help you earn your next degree. In addition, many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement to nurses who are interested in furthering their education.
In short, achieving an advanced degree can benefit a nurse’s professional and personal life, while helping improve patient care. As Donnelly said; “You should test the water, explore different schools and then…take the plunge!”
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