For registered nurses (RNs) considering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, an online option provides the flexibility and accessibility needed to balance education with demanding work schedules. The online RN to BSN program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) allows nurses to continue working while completing the career-advancing degree in as few as 12 months.
With the growing employer preference for BSN-prepared nurses, now is an excellent time to consider an online RN to BSN program. Earning a BSN offers working nurses significant benefits:
- Enhanced career mobility and job security
- Competitive salary advantage in the job market
- Access to leadership and specialized nursing roles
- Strengthened clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice skills
Online Learning Flexibility for Working Nurses
A flexible online nursing degree program allows students to learn when and where it is most convenient. Most online courses are accessible anytime, day or night. Students can complete studies whenever they can make time between work, family and other commitments. Whether they log on over a lunch break, while the kids are in bed or between shifts, nursing students can make the most of their time with the convenience of the online RN to BSN model.
Students can take classes anywhere they have access to the internet, and many online programs offer multiple start dates. This gives working nurses the flexibility to jump in and start learning when it makes sense.
Affordability and Cost Savings of Online RN to BSN Programs
Tuition for many online degree programs is a fraction of the typical cost of traditional programs. Lower overhead and fewer fees mean students can benefit from savings without sacrificing quality instruction. Because students can complete program studies anywhere, they save on commuting, parking, campus fees and other costs associated with on-campus attendance.
Students also save on opportunity costs. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, opportunity cost for students represents the value of what they must give up in order to attend college. For nurses, this translates into wages they could earn or promotion opportunities they could take advantage of if they continue working instead of going to school. Eliminating these opportunity costs with the flexibility of online education improves the affordability of an RN to BSN program, helping students maintain financial stability throughout their education.
Employment Growth and Workforce Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% employment growth for registered nurses between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This robust growth reflects the increasing healthcare needs of an aging population and the expanding role of nurses in diverse care settings.
BLS estimates there will be roughly 189,100 openings for RNs each year over the decade. These sustained job opportunities provide strong career stability and security for BSN-prepared nurses entering and advancing within the profession.
Employer Preference and Salary Advantages for BSN Nurses
According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, over 73% of nurses now have a baccalaureate degree or higher. With continuing increases in the education level of the nursing workforce, a BSN degree is essential for a nurse’s competitive advantage in the job market.
Research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) suggests that roughly 25% of hospitals and other healthcare facilities require that new nurse candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree. AACN also notes that 70% of employers express a “strong preference for BSN program graduates.”
Additionally, BSN-prepared nurses earn higher salaries than their associate degree counterparts, on average. According to BLS data, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024. ZipRecruiter reports that BSN-prepared nurses earned a median salary of $102,263 per year as of January 2026. Given this, completing a BSN program can substantially increase a nurse’s income potential.
Professional Development and Career Advancement
Nurses who complete an RN to BSN online develop essential leadership skills in key areas, including health policy, healthcare financing, community and public health, systems thinking and quality improvement. By completing an online RN to BSN program, nurses are prepared to provide the highest level of patient care while qualifying for a range of career advancement opportunities in areas such as leadership, education and specialized practice.
UNCW’s online RN to BSN program equips working nurses with the advanced knowledge, clinical reasoning and professional competencies needed to excel in today’s complex healthcare environment. The program’s flexible online format, combined with CCNE accreditation and faculty expertise, prepares nurses to meet growing employer demands while maintaining their current professional responsibilities.
Learn more about UNCW’s online RN to BSN program.
