Did you know that a career in nursing can take you to a completely different level? Have you ever wondered why one nurse does precisely the opposite of what others do? If such thoughts ever crossed your mind, you probably have not considered what a BSN and RN can accomplish. So, what is it about the two when it comes to nursing practice? An RN has a lower level of education with a limited scope, while a BSN can go for advanced studies and venture into other areas. The following literature about how to become an RN will help you pick a direction that fits your nursing career.

Should you become a BSN?

Probably the first thought that hits you when you see the word BSN is the meaning of each letter. BSN is an abbreviation for a Bachelor’s degree of science in nursing. This is the basic level of training and helps students reach other levels in nursing. Any student who finishes the program can work as an RN or advance their studies in a specialized field of study. An associate’s degree (ADN) is the minimum education level needed to work as an RN. 

However, those who do not feel comfortable about their qualifications can add a bachelor’s degree. Most nursing jobs require a bachelor’s degree and not an associate’s one. A BSN provides more opportunities, especially in big hospitals, than for an RN with an ADN. A BSN holder can advance their credentials to work as tutors or choose practitioners’ roles.

What is there to know about an RN?

An RN works in a hospital. However, one of their significant tasks is offering treatments and supporting the bereaved or people with critically ill patients. Any RN has a typical day of fulfilling nursing duties such as giving medicine, monitoring patients and providing family members with the actual situation about their patients. An RN also keeps medical records for many parties, including patients and other nurses.

An RN can specialize in doing only some specific tasks. The particular areas, which an RN duties are limited to include:

•         Neonatology
•         Geriatrics
•         Oncology
•         Pediatrics

Some registered nurses choose to work only in one specialty that requires specific medication and treatment, while others explore more areas. An RN can also explore areas outside hospitals, and you can find them in outpatient service centers, clinics, and in-home care centers.

What differentiates a BSN and an RN?

From the literature above, the main difference between the two practices is their education levels. An RN has many limits, as they practice only in their fields. On the other hand, a BSN is the most preferred type of practitioner for a given specialty. The level of education for BSN makes them suitable to handle a given specialty, unlike general nurses. However, anyone can become an RN as long as they have an NCLEX certification, though an RN can have an ADN and a BSN.

Which should you go for, a BSN or an RN?

All nursing practices have a different set of requirements. Regardless, any aspiring nurse must complete the NCLEX exams successfully to have a chance of becoming a BSN or an RN. The minimum requirement is to practice in the medical field while working under a specific specialty. The board exams are the most critical requirement for registered nurses, including a nursing licensing requirement set in their particular states.

What are the advantages of an RN?

An ADN helps one become a nurse much faster than going the Bachelor’s degree route. While the Bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of four years, an ADN requires at least two years of study. By entering the medical practice early, ADN makes registered nurses better when it comes to nursing matters faster than BSN. The downside is that many employers currently want a BSN, which means any RN with an ADN must advance their studies somewhere in their practice.

If you want to practice as a nurse, you must pass nursing licensing exams required in every state to practice as a nurse. However, the Bachelor’s degree route gives more opportunities in terms of employment and salary. When deciding, consider the time duration that fits your goals and prospects in the direction selected.