There are several degree options to become an RN, but a BSN’s more comprehensive education allows you to pursue more complex specialties and accept a higher average salary. Additionally, BSN-educated nurses have fewer barriers to advanced degrees and roles, such as nurse practitioners.
Nursing careers offer plenty of opportunities, like competitive salaries, job security, career advancement, and plenty of specialties. Not all nursing degrees are made equal, though, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree could be the difference needed for you to reach your career goals.
Utica University wants to help future nurses receive the highest-quality education possible while accommodating students’ varying lifestyles. That’s why we offer the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and the Advanced Standing B.S. in Nursing programs. If eligibility requirements are met, these programs allow students to earn their BSN in as few as 16 months.
Before settling on a path toward your nursing career, let’s look at what a BSN is and what you can do with it.
What is a BSN and Why Does It Matter?
Several degree options grant access to the registered nursing (RN) role, including a hospital-conferred diploma, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a BSN. Of these three program paths, the BSN offers the most comprehensive education and room for growth. A BSN education extends beyond basic nursing theory to explore health policy, research and evidence-based practice, and leadership development. This better prepares BSN graduates to tackle the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and advance into higher roles later.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), BSN programs differentiate themselves from ADNs with the inclusion of:
- Clinical, scientific and decision-making skills
- Community and patient education
- Health promotion
- Management and leadership
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Why Get a BSN?
Nurses can pursue numerous specialties in their careers, but some may be limited by degree level. As healthcare has advanced, the technology and techniques used to treat patients have advanced as well, becoming more complex and requiring more skill to perform. BSN-educated nurses may have an easier time entering higher-stakes specialties, such as:
- Critical care
- Intensive care
- Medical-surgical
- Pediatrics
BSN-educated nurses can also expect a higher earning potential than their ADN-educated counterparts. As of 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the median annual wage for RNs as $93,600. While wages vary by location and role, BSN-educated nurses can expect to receive a salary on the higher end of the average range. This can be attributed to the more extensive education provided by a BSN, which permits these nurses to accept more autonomy in their role and take on more complex tasks.
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Why Hospitals Prefer BSN Nurses
Since the Robert Wood Foundation announced in a 2013 study that BSN-educated nurses statistically have better patient outcomes, the number of employers showing a preference for applicants holding a BSN has grown. In the following years, further studies have supported this finding, reporting that the patients of BSN-educated nurses have a 24.6% lower mortality rate and an 8% shorter length of stay.
Additionally, as education standards have risen, the nursing workforce has risen to meet them. According to the 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, 69% of the RN workforce is prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
So, while there is no shortage of nursing roles, a bachelor’s degree is your best bet to compete in the job market.
How a BSN Can Impact Your Nursing Career
Fortunately, there is a lot of room for movement in the nursing world. Between specialties and advanced roles, nurses are almost guaranteed to find their niche. Some of these roles, however, require advanced degrees, such as a master’s or a doctorate. That’s why a BSN is important in nursing career advancement.
RN’s holding a bachelor’s degree have fewer steps to an advanced career than those with an associate degree or lower. This setback can add years to your education and hold you back from entering in-demand roles. For instance, the nurse practitioner role was ranked first in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 list of the 100 best jobs, but the minimum requirements demand that candidates hold at least a master’s in nursing. According to the BLS, nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $129,210 in 2024.
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Lay the Foundation of Your Nursing Career at Utica
Earning your BSN is just the beginning of your nursing journey, but it is essential that you have the knowledge and skills to enter the role confidently. At Utica University, our curriculum is built of online coursework, hands-on skills labs, and clinical rotations, so students have the right balance of theory and practice, regardless of their chosen program.
If you believe you are the right fit for our program, contact us today, and one of our dedicated admission representatives will guide you through the application process.
