Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs
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Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesAverage Program Length
4 years
Average Credits Required
120
Average Earning Potential
$52,080-$111,220
Source: BLS
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Opportunities With a BSN
Good career mobility: Most administrative and supervisory positions require a BSN.- Path to advancement: Grants entry to master’s or doctoral nursing programs, leading to career advancement and higher salaries.
- Job potential: With a BSN, a range of specialized nursing jobs outside of the traditional floor nursing is available.
- Skills Learned: Clinical and leadership skills, case management, community participation, nursing care of children and adults
What To Expect From a Traditional BSN Program
While curriculum content and timelines vary by program, the University of Washington’s (UW) BSN program offers a general idea of the traditional, four-year nursing school progression during each year of study. BSN students typically spend the first two years completing prerequisite coursework and their final two years immersed in their nursing studies.
Admission Requirements for a Traditional BSN Program
Four-year nursing programs maintain distinct application requirements and timelines, but a program beginning in the fall typically sets a January or February deadline to apply. Students should begin assembling their application materials early, particularly if the program requires test scores. Common admission requirements for four-year BSN programs include the following:
- Prerequisite coursework
- Online application
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (potentially higher for individual courses)
- High school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable)
- Test scores
- 2-3 letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- A personal essay or letter outlining academic and career goals and reasons for pursuing a nursing degree
- Volunteer/work experience (50-100 hours)
- Interview with admissions department (in-person, pre-recorded, or virtual)
- Resume or CV
- Writing sample or short-essay question responses
Traditional BSN vs. Bridge Programs
As opposed to traditional BSN programs, bridge programs serve nurses who already possess RN or licensed practical nurse licenses. Bridge programs commonly offer online and full-time or part-time options that provide flexibility for working nurses.
They can also streamline the process of earning separate degrees. For example, an RN with an ADN can pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) via an RN-to-MSN bridge program to bypass the four-year traditional BSN. RN-to-BSN bridge programs online allow RNs with ADNs or nursing diplomas to earn their BSNs in 18-24 months of full-time study.
Traditional BSN vs. Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs enable applicants with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields to transfer undergraduate credits and fulfill general education and prerequisite coursework requirements. ABSNs allow some students to finish in 1-2 years.
Many programs only accept applications from candidates with GPAs of 3.0 or higher. The full-time, compressed nature of the ABSN curriculum makes it quite rigorous. Other admission requirements mirror those of four-year BSN programs. At some nursing schools, ABSN students can take classes online and complete their clinical hours at hospitals and medical facilities near their homes.
Featured BSN Specialties
Beyond working in hospitals as RNs, individuals with a BSN degree find careers as geriatric nurses, OBGYN nurses, and neonatal nurses. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about these specialty occupations.
Registered Nurse
RNs work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other medical facilities, caring for and educating patients and their families about treatments and health maintenance.
- Salary: $73,300
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Geriatric Nurse
These professionals work with elderly patients and specialize in dementia, osteoporosis, and other diseases that affect older adults. They also assist with basic living activities.
- Salary: $64,870
- Job Outlook: positive growth in coming years
OBGYN Nurse
As specialists working with obstetricians and gynecologists, these nurses care for women throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
- Salary: $60,000
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses work on a contract basis and temporarily help in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. They may be self-employed or receive assignments through agencies.
- Salary: $79,000
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Neonatal Nurse
These professionals care for newborns in neonatal intensive care units, treating premature babies and infants with illnesses until they gain enough strength to go home.
- Salary: $60,797
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale
How Much Will I Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?
$32.62
Average Hourly Pay
$85,700
Average Salary
Source: Payscale
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