Is a Nursing Degree Worth It? 6 Benefits of Earning a BS in Nursing

Nursing school isn’t an easy endeavor, so you may be wondering, “Is a nursing degree worth it?” Your nursing career will benefit greatly from having a BS in Nursing. When considering why a BS in Nursing is important in nursing, note factors like improved patient outcomes, salary potential, and job opportunities.

With the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you can earn your Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing in as few as 16 months.

1. Work at Respected Facilities

A BS in Nursing from Mount Saint Vincent teaches valuable skills in critical thinking, case management, nursing leadership, communication, and others. With a blend of hard and soft skills, you’ll be prepared to work well with your colleagues and patients, and deliver high-quality nursing care. You’ll also be better prepared to take on more demanding jobs in healthcare settings. Highly skilled nurses with a bachelor’s degree may pursue work at Magnet hospitals.

Hospitals can earn Magnet status by achieving excellence in nursing and patient care. Magnet hospitals utilize innovative professional practices and operate at the highest caliber.

The distinction is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and certifies that the facility maintains high standards, such as staffing baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Working at a respected facility with Magnet status is an excellent move for your career as a nurse.

2. Increased Marketability, Job Prospects, and Stability

Is getting a BS in Nursing worth it in terms of your marketability? Quality care is in high demand as the population ages. Qualified nurses are needed to help bridge the nursing shortage gap, and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse is a valuable asset for facilities looking to fill that need. In other words, you’ll have stronger marketability and better job prospects with a bachelor’s degree.

Thanks to the steady demand for nurses, the job growth rate is estimated to be 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS anticipates that healthcare employers will hire about 197,200 new nurses during this time.

Earning your bachelor’s degree can open the door to higher earning potential. Your salary as a nurse depends on many factors, such as your geographic location, nursing specialty, years of experience, and additional certifications. With a bachelor’s, you are more likely to make a higher income than your counterparts who hold an associate degree. The BLS notes that RNs made a median annual salary of $86,070 as of May 2023.

3. Specialization Options

A BS in Nursing empowers you to concentrate on a particular area of nursing care you’re passionate about. For instance, some baccalaureate-prepared nurses choose to care for older adults or focus on young patients instead of patients of all ages.

RNs may alternatively concentrate their career on a particular area of nursing care or a certain type of health condition, such as mental health, oncology, or cardiac care. With a bachelor’s degree, you can step into a profession that complements your interests and goals.

4. Why a BS in Nursing Is Important in Nursing Care Outcomes

Is it worth getting a BS in Nursing in regard to patient care? Yes, absolutely. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses have in-depth nursing knowledge and skills that benefit patients. Most people would say they want loved ones to receive the best possible care from the most qualified nurses.

Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shows that healthcare organizations that employ more baccalaureate-prepared nurses see better patient outcomes and significantly lower mortality rates.

5. Pathway to Graduate Education

A BS in Nursing can pave the way toward earning a graduate degree in nursing. After earning your bachelor’s degree, obtaining licensure, and gaining some clinical experience, you might consider earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Nurses are lifelong learners. Earning a graduate degree is one way to stay on top of the latest nursing research so that you can work toward better patient outcomes. A graduate degree may also lead to further career advancement.

6. Career Advancement

After graduating with an MSN or DNP, you might decide to pursue advancement opportunities away from the bedside. If you’d rather work behind the scenes, you might consider applying to a job as a nurse manager or nurse administrator. After gaining experience in these roles, you can pursue a career as a director of nursing or nurse executive in the C-suite next.

If you are passionate about patient care and would like to continue your work at the bedside, there are plenty of options to consider. With a graduate degree, you can pursue board certification and licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). There are four main types of APRNs:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Within those four main categories, there are further opportunities to specialize. For example, you might become a family nurse practitioner (FNP), or you might decide to become a CRNA who specializes in pediatric surgeries.

Begin Your Nursing Journey at Mount Saint Vincent

Is a nursing degree worth it? For all the reasons listed above, we say yes! A BS in Nursing is the first steppingstone in your journey toward a nursing career with limitless potential.

If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to apply to the ABSN program at the Mount. Our ABSN program in New York City allows you to graduate with a bachelor’s in nursing in as few as 16 months and graduate ready to sit for the NCLEX.

If you’re ready to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse, contact the admission team at the Mount today. You’ll be assigned to a dedicated admission counselor, who will walk you through the process step by step and answer your questions.