With healthcare constantly changing, nursing techniques that were common a decade ago are phasing out. In fact, nursing will look very different in the coming years than it does today. You can keep current by pursuing additional education, taking on roles with greater levels of responsibility and staying abreast of the latest medical research. Earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) allows you to accomplish all three simultaneously.
There are programs that leverage existing experience and education to help you complete your BSN degree in under a year. The online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is an excellent way to enhance your abilities and stay current in an evolving healthcare landscape. Online RN to BSN programs offer working nurses the flexibility to gain comprehensive education while continuing their careers.
What Do You Learn in an RN to BSN Program?
An RN to BSN program strengthens your analytical skills, research literacy and ability to apply evidence-based practice in your daily clinical work. With new research published every day, it is vital for healthcare providers to possess a high degree of analytical skills and research literacy. In fact, some nurses even perform research and contribute to published literature.
Understanding the role of research and evidence-based practice in nursing is one of the most crucial lessons learned in an RN to BSN program. It is the kind of skill that allows nurses to examine, apply and utilize nursing science. By absorbing an overview of current issues in nursing, you will learn how to best incorporate research and evidence-based practice into your work.
An RN to BSN program also improves your ability to learn and acquire new knowledge. For example, a course about evidence-based care can build on basic knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology to enhance your nursing skills in the management of health, wellness and disease. Learning how to evaluate current pharmacological research equips you to effectively sift through, analyze and make use of the findings with the greatest impact.
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), when you use the principles of evidence-based practice in nursing to make decisions about patient care, it results in better outcomes, higher satisfaction and reduced costs. The core benefit of this approach is understanding the rationale behind treatment decisions. Such foundational knowledge not only improves your ability to spot errors, but also enables you to make quicker lifesaving decisions.
How Can You Expand Your Nursing Career Horizon?
An RN to BSN program opens doors to leadership roles, specialized positions and graduate education opportunities that strengthen your career advancement in nursing. It is never too late to learn new skills. Online RN to BSN programs provide the flexibility to enhance your qualifications while maintaining your current position and income.
Earning your BSN equips you with advanced clinical knowledge, leadership competencies and research skills that position you for expanded professional opportunities. Research on nursing professional development emphasizes that implementing evidence-based practice leads to higher quality care and better patient outcomes, making BSN-prepared nurses valuable assets in clinical settings. These enhanced competencies allow you to take on roles with greater responsibility and contribute more effectively to your healthcare team.
A BSN is also a requirement for working in leadership roles in many of the nation’s top hospitals. For instance, all nurse managers at hospitals with Magnet Recognition must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing at minimum.
Benefits of Earning a BSN Degree
Besides learning new skills and expanding your career horizon, earning a BSN positions you for significant financial and professional advantages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in 2024. Comparatively, ZipRecruiter reports that nurses with BSN preparation earned a median salary of $102,263 per year as of January 2026.
By earning a BSN, you also take the first critical step toward a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This graduate-level degree is a requirement for many advanced practice roles and desirable career advancement opportunities in nursing — opportunities that offer significant income and growth potential. For instance, BLS reports that nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists earned a median annual salary of $132,050 in May 2024, and employment for these advanced practice roles will increase a projected 35% from 2024 to 2034.
With an MSN degree, you can shape and specialize your career track in a way that truly resonates with your interests and passion, while also opening the doors to positions with expanded autonomy and earning power. However, before you can reach that step, you must first earn a BSN. The affordable, online RN to BSN from UNCW can provide you with a flexible path toward achieving your highest career aspirations.
Learn more about UNCW’s online RN to BSN program.
