[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Did you know that more than 70% of nurses have a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link]? In fact, a BSN is the most common degree for registered nurses (RNs), according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/impact-of-education-on-nursing-practice” target=”_blank”]American Association of Colleges of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (AACN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BSN can lead to more job opportunities, greater autonomy, and higher earning potential. It also prepares nurses for career advancement and improves patient care outcomes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Thanks to [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/rn-to-bsn/”]RN-to-BSN training programs[/hen-ui-link], it’s easier than ever for RNs to get their BSN, thanks to [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/rn-to-bsn/”]RN-to-BSN training programs[/hen-ui-link]. Here are the 10 best reasons you should consider earning a BSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reasons to Pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Busy nurses might feel like they don’t have the time or money to pursue a BSN degree. But there are many good reasons to invest in an RN-to-BSN program, from higher salaries to better care outcomes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Higher Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BSN can boost your earning potential. BSN-prepared nurses earn nearly $20,000 more per year than nurses with an associate degree. According to Payscale data, nurses with an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link] reported an average annual salary [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary” target=”_blank”]of $80,000[/hen-ui-link], while BSN-trained nurses earned an average [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary” target=”_blank”]of $98,000[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]BSN nurses tend to earn more because of their higher level of education and ability to take on more advanced roles.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Higher Employment Rates[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most employers prefer to hire nurses with a BSN. Today, 70% of employers strongly prefer BSN nurses, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/research-data-center/new-graduate-employment-data” target=”_blank”]2023 New Graduate Employment Data[/hen-ui-link] from the AACN. Furthermore, 25% of hospitals require all new nursing hires to hold a BSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]That translates into strong employment numbers. The 2023 AACN report found that 84% of BSN graduates had received a job offer at graduation, with 96% landing a job within 4-6 months. By comparison, people with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field reported a 55% full-time employment rate within six months of graduation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. More Comprehensive Education[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While a two-year ADN program can prepare you for licensure as an RN, a four-year BSN delves deeper into advanced nursing topics, including leadership and research. You’ll explore topics such as health promotion, advanced health assessment, nursing leadership, and clinical practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many RN-to-BSN programs — [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/absn/”]accelerated BSN programs[/hen-ui-link] that can take as little as one year to complete — also incorporate coursework in community health nursing, health education, and behavioral health nursing. These courses add valuable knowledge and skills to your nursing skill set, preparing you for advanced roles in healthcare settings or continued nursing education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Increased Nursing Practice-Area Opportunities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses specialize in many areas. Trauma and travel nurses benefit from high demand, and both roles appear on NurseJournal’s ranking of the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/best-nursing-specialities-for-the-future/”]best nursing specialties[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pursuing a BSN degree can help you move into specialized practice areas, including pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, and critical care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. Graduate School Preparation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many of the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/highest-paying-nursing-jobs/”]highest-paying nursing careers[/hen-ui-link] require a graduate degree. For example, master of science in nursing (MSN) degree holders report an average pay [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(MSN)/Salary” target=”_blank”]of $108,000[/hen-ui-link], according to Payscale data from July 2025. In comparison, BSN holders report an average pay [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary” target=”_blank”]of $98,000[/hen-ui-link] — $10,000 less than MSN holders.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Traditional MSN programs tend to require a BSN as part of their admission requirements; however, [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-masters-in-nursing-without-bsn-programs/”]RN-to-MSN programs[/hen-ui-link] require an RN license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6. Improved Patient Outcomes[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When nurses increase their education level, everyone benefits. According to the AACN, BSN-prepared nurses have advanced critical thinking and leadership abilities that translate to improved patient care and outcomes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, a 2022 study on post-surgery patient care found that a higher proportion of BSN-prepared nurses translated to a lower risk of harm. And a [hen-ui-link href=”https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9095709/” target=”_blank”]2022 Nursing Outlook study[/hen-ui-link] found nearly 25% lower odds of inpatient mortality at hospitals with 80% BSN-prepared nurses compared to those with 30% BSN-prepared nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]7. Increased Autonomy[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Employers trust BSN-prepared nurses to take on greater responsibilities. For example, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/what-are-magnet-hospitals/”]magnet hospitals[/hen-ui-link] now require all nurse managers and leaders to hold a BSN as a minimum educational requirement.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similarly, BSN nurses typically have more autonomy in nursing practice, allowing them to make more patient care decisions and hold leadership roles. During a BSN, nursing students take courses on role development, nursing leadership, and nursing practice to strengthen their clinical decision-making skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]8. Career Advancement[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ADN nurses can provide effective bedside care. But with a BSN, nurses can more easily pursue leadership roles. For example, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursefocus.org/nursing-leadership/” target=”_blank”]American Nurses Association[/hen-ui-link] (ANA) recommends that ADN nurses who want to move into leadership roles advance their education with a bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Leadership careers allow RNs to gain management experience and increase their earning potential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]9. Earning a BSN May Become Mandatory[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2017, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S6768″ target=”_blank”]New York State passed a law[/hen-ui-link] requiring RNs to hold a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of licensure. With more workplaces preferring or requiring a BSN, other states may follow New York’s lead, making a BSN mandatory for a growing number of practicing nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare employers, especially hospitals, increasingly view a BSN as an entry-level degree for nurses. According to AACN’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Fact-Sheets/Education-Impact-Fact-Sheet.pdf” target=”_blank”]2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey[/hen-ui-link], nearly 72% of RNs already hold a BSN or higher, and most nurses enter the workforce with a BSN or higher.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]10. It’s Easy to Get Started[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The good news for RNs is that finding a flexible BSN program is now easier than ever. Many top-ranked nursing schools offer [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-online-rn-to-bsn-programs/”]online RN-to-BSN programs[/hen-ui-link], which can take as little as 12 months. You can also complete clinical requirements in your current workplace. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement to help advance your nursing career.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses advancing their education may also qualify for [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarships/”]nursing scholarships and grants[/hen-ui-link], which can help cover costs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Why pursue a BSN degree in nursing?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BSN degree prepares nurses for RN roles. BSN-prepared nurses report higher salaries and benefit from more career advancement opportunities, including graduate nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs can advance their education with an RN-to-BSN program, while traditional BSN programs can help prospective nurses meet licensure requirements.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a BSN the hardest nursing degree to get?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While a BSN degree is challenging, it is not the hardest nursing degree. A four-year BSN builds clinical decision-making and patient care skills. It’s also the most common degree for entry-level RNs. What’s the hardest nursing degree? Nurses point to graduate nursing programs, including [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link] and doctoral programs, as the most challenging.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is a BSN the same as an RN?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No, a BSN is a nursing degree, while an RN, or registered nurse, is a job title. Registered nurses need a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN to qualify for a license from their state board of nursing. A growing number of employers prefer to hire RNs with a BSN.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does RN or BSN come first?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs must complete a nursing program, such as a BSN or ADN, to qualify for licensure. Most nurses earn their BSN before applying for an RN license. RNs with a two-year ADN degree can enroll in RN-to-BSN programs to advance their education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]