BSN, A Commonly Held Degree By Nurses

While many nursing careers can be started with and associates degree, advancement often requires a BSN, or bachelor's of nursing degree. Earning such a degree can be done either through a school with a physical campus, at some medical schools, or through various online programs.



The nursing field is growing, but it remains a wide and diverse field, though there are some elements that are common to most nursing roles. Register nurses (RNs) work with patients, performing diagnostics and analyzing results, administering treatment and medications, operating medical machines and helping with patient rehabilitation. Nurses record medical histories and symptoms, explain details of home care, provide nutrition guidance, give advice of exercise routines, explain medications, discuss physical therapy required, among other things. A large portion of the job includes education and emotional support for patients dealing with injuries and illness.



Education requirements for the role vary depending upon a variety of factors, however, licensure is done on a national level. Registered nurses typically follow one of three education paths to establish their careers. Many obtain a bachelor's degree or an associates degree in nursing, or earn a diploma from an approved program. After this schooling, these folks must pass a national licensing exam in order to practice as an RN.  A master's degree is pursued by those interested in more advanced levels of nursing.



The medical field is full of jobs that are expected in to enjoy significant growth between 2008 and 2018, according the U.S. Federal Government's Bureau of Labor Statistics. That said, the job growth rate for RNs is expected to grow very significantly, with an expected job growth rate of 22 percent in the decade.



This job growth comes on the heels of a long-standing period of shortages of nurses, which has helped to drive up wages. Median wages RNs was about $62,000 in 2008, according to the BLS.