Thinking about earning your BSN? There’s a bright future for any RN that does. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) will have better job prospects than those without one. A report from the Institute of Medicine also recommended that RNs strive to gain bachelor’s degree with the goal of 80% of RNs have their BSN by the year 2020.
But, if you're an RN juggling a full work and personal life there might be a number of factors to consider before starting a bachelor's degree program. Below are some things you might be thinking or have questions about before taking on this next challenge in your career.
If you work in a hospital or are planning to, pursuing a BSN is a great option. In 2012, the New York Times reported that hundreds of hospitals around the country had started requiring BSNs from their nurses. While not all hospitals have this same requirement, having a BSN can give you a competitive advantage. It can also lead to higher earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an RN earned an average of $65,470 in 2012, while those with a BSN working as medical and health services managers made an average of $88,580 in 2012.
A BSN can open the doors to a number of positions, such as management or health educator positions. If you are thinking about a graduate nursing program, pursuing a BSN is a great first step. A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for admission to most graduate nursing programs.
The length of a BSN program can vary depending on whether a student is taking classes full-time or part-time. RNs who have earned an associates degree in nursing (ADN) or nursing certificate may be able to transfer credits from their previous program that allow them to complete the program in less time. Taking a larger course load can also help students earn their degree sooner.
Earning a BSN doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. Some employers will help their staff pay for their program through tuition reimbursement or provide some type of assistance. Going to school part-time also makes it possible to continue to bring in income while working through a BSN program. Do your research to find an affordable program and talk to your employer to find out about their tuition reimbursement program.
While it might mean having a busier schedule, earning a BSN while also working as an RN is doable. Online programs are a great option for those with families or working full-time. RN to BSN online programs let you sign in and do classwork when it works with your schedule. This flexibility means you'll be able to work at your own pace and pursue an education on your own terms.
We don't have to tell you, nursing isn't a job, its a lifestyle. Nurses are challenged every single day and persevere in a high-stress profession. But, challenge of going back to school is another step in living your passion to help others. Search for a program that also provides support along the way and offers academic and career advice. With a supportive program, family, friends, and colleague network, RNs have a great foundation for success in a BSN program.
Click here to learn more about Ashworth College's Nursing (RN-BSN) online program.
Our community is full of independent, motivated, growth-focused students. Dive into our blog to explore diverse stories from our students, friends, experts, and executives. From tips & tricks to student experiences and alumni stories, the Ashworth Blog is all about celebrating our community's accomplishments and passions.
Career Healthcare What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
If you’ve taken any prescription medications, you’ve no doubt interacted with a pharmacy technician. These professionals are most recognizable as the folks at your local drug store – handing you a prescription bag and ringing up your purchase on the cash register.
Retail pharmacies aren’t the only places pharm techs work, though. Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to mail-order prescription facilities. And their job tasks can vary greatly depending on where they work.
About half of all pharm techs work in drug stores, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In a retail environment, pharmacy technicians work under the direction of the registered pharmacist to handle a number of important tasks, including:
Most pharmacy technicians employed in a retail setting work full time, sometimes in shifts that include nights and weekends. The median pharmacy technician salary in retail drug stores is about $30,000 per year, and demand for pharm techs is expected to grow rapidly as the Baby Boomer population continues to age.
Some pharm techs don’t want to interact with the public as much as required in a drug store setting. If that sounds like you, then you may be interested to know that hospitals employ many pharmacy technicians “behind the scenes” to prepare medications for patients. Like their retail peers, hospital-based pharm techs also work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, but they may perform more complex tasks, including:
Working in a hospital is tops for pharmacy technician pay: the median salary for these professionals comes in at nearly $37,000 per year.
Many people receive their medications through the mail these days, and while it’s true that big machines count and package those pills, the prescriptions still must be processed by someone who has passed a pharmacy technician exam.
In a mail-order pharmacy, a pharm tech might:
Pharmacy technician hourly pay in a mail-order facility might run as high as $15.50, for a median annual salary of about $31,000.
Pharm techs work in other settings, too, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where they may package and dispense medications to patients.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a pharmacy technician, our Admission Advisors can put you on the path to enter this this fast-growing field. Learn more about the online pharmacy technician program at Ashworth College. Call 1-800-957-5412 or request free information today!
Success Stories Do justice to your career by earning your master’s degree
In our GO AFTER IT blog series, you'll meet fellow students and grads who committed themselves to chasing their dreams and proving it pays to GO AHEAD toward better opportunities -- no matter the obstacles to be overcome.
When Dan Brennanhusen* attained his role as the new director of safety and security for a major school district, his qualifications included nearly two decades of law enforcement and corporate security experience. He had also earned his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Ashworth College and is a strong believer in the power of education to achieve success.
“I believe higher education is a leveraging tool to seek higher positions,” says Brennanhusen, “and with higher positions you typically are better compensated.”
While Brennanhusen was rewarded with better compensation, he feels that his Ashworth College program provided him with something much more valuable than the promise of higher pay. Even after working as a professional in law enforcement for so many years, he learned new concepts and techniques from the books and lessons in the Master of Criminal Justice Degree Program. He also discovered the practicality of his education, since he is using what he learned every day in his new job.
“I found the program to be contemporary and directly applicable to my profession. The core principles and components of my studies positively impact my career daily,” he says.
The quality of the program was unquestionably relevant to Brennanhusen’s career, but there were other benefits of an Ashworth College education that drew him into attending in the first place.
“Because I had a really busy work and family life, including two kids, I had to find a flexible program. I had been promoted to new assignments and divisions so life was as busy as it could possibly be. Ashworth College offered the accreditation and flexibility I needed to attain my objectives. The cost was also a plus.”
One might ask why a successful criminal justice professional who was already promoted would want to continue their education. According to Brennanhusen, the answer was twofold: career advancement and personal growth. At the time, he was a police sergeant and wanted to become a member of his department’s executive leadership team by working his way up to chief. After being promoted to commander, Brennanhusen realized that he would need a master’s degree to be considered for the next step up. And he knew that a higher-level degree would help him in his role for future promotions.
Says Brennanhusen, “Hiring someone always comes with some risks. I view degrees and higher education as an important piece of the puzzle. Having ‘missing pieces’ may cause a potential employer to find someone who has a more complete puzzle.”
As Brennanhusen completed his educational “puzzle,” he took his time. Aside from his competing priorities of earning a living and caring for a busy family, he says he didn’t want to merely pass assignments – he wanted to get good grades, do well and truly learn. He even paused his studies for a while so he could regroup and refocus.
Congratulations to Brennanhusen on completing his master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and the opportunities it has afforded him. If you’re interested in this field, or other fields of study, we recommend you contact an Admissions Advisor at 1-800-957-5412 who will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have.
* At the request of the student in the interest of job privacy and security, a pseudonym is being used; otherwise, all quotes and information in this blog are actual and verifiable.
Success Stories Why Ashworth Ashworth graduates say: you can do it! Online education is for everyone
What’s your dream career? Working in the booming healthcare field? Criminal justice? Owning your own business?
All too often, people’s dreams get derailed because they think they can’t get the education they need to turn their vision into reality. The Ashworth College graduates in these videos will tell you otherwise. Hear their inspiring stories, and then talk to an admissions advisor today so you can stop dreaming and start pursuing your ideal career!
Wouldn’t you love to star in your own graduation video, dressed in a gown and mortarboard like these students? We would certainly love to see you walk the stage at our live commencement event to receive the certificate, diploma, or degree you earned at Ashworth College.
Learn more about the many flexible, afforedable programs available to help you start turning your dream career into a reality: Talk to an admissions advisor today!
Let's talk about your educational goals. Call 1-800-957-5412
