Is a BSN Degree Worth it for Travelers?
Most hiring managers would say yes! A BSN is definitely a plus, whether you travel or not.
Most hiring managers would say yes! A BSN is a plus, whether you travel or not. A BSN, unlike a two-year associate
degree or diploma nursing program, requires four years of study. The student completes a nursing curriculum and also
takes general education courses. At the end of the day, you have to decide for yourself.
BSN Nurses Do Earn More
You will make more money as a BSN-prepared nurse. This is true whether you are on a travel nursing assignment
or in a staff position. Payscale.com reports an average salary just over $78,000 for
ADN-prepared nurses, vs just
above $95,000 for
BSN-prepared nurses.
Earnings depend on specialty, location, and job requirements, of course. So you have to ask yourself, will the increase
in income eventually cover the tuition costs?
How much does a BSN degree cost?
We’d love to give you a simple answer on cost, but you probably know that’s not easy. The cost of a BSN degree depends
on several factors:
- Whether or not you already have an ADN or RN degree - starting from scratch and earning a 4-year BSN is likely to cost more than earning a BSN if you are already a working nurse. According to the NCES, the total cost of four-year BSN programs ranges from $89K to $211K, with the average yearly cost at about $31K, including tuition, housing, and other fees.. Advancing from ADN or RN to BSN will take less time, usually 18 months to two years. Costs for these “bridge” programs will be less than the full four-year degree(depending on which program you attend) since these candidates have already finished at least two years of nursing education. Accelerated BSN programs are even available to candidates with a 4-year degree in non-nursing fields, for folks looking for a full-on career change.
- The school you attend - Community and state programs are generally less pricey than private universities. Be mindful that tuition cost does not always correlate with quality of education. Be sure to check unbiased review boards, and ask fellow nurses or hiring managers about the reputation of the institutions you’re considering. If course scheduling is a concern, you may want to look into options.
- Availability of tuition assistance from a scholarship, grant, or current employer - Check every possible source to see if scholarships and tuition assistance are available. Don’t overlook small grants. Every little bit helps!
- The cost of financial aid or student loans - The reality is that many people need to take out student loans. Be especially cautious if your prospective school pushes hard on taking out private loans -- and makes “too-good-to-be true” claims about your future earning potential. Disputes and difficulties over loan repayment are among the most common reasons for students to be unable to complete their degrees. Government aid is often regarded as more manageable than loans through private sources, although federal government loans may not cover all your costs.
A BSN Makes You More Competitive in the Workforce
The recent
National Nursing Workforce Survey
revealed that around 24% of nurses surveyed were ADN-prepared and 51% were BSN-prepared. Although there is no nationwide
law requiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, some states -- and healthcare organizations -- are hiring significantly
more BSNs than previously. Several studies have found that increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses in a hospital is
associated with patient death reduction
-- just one reason why healthcare employers value the BSN degree. Having your BSN is one way to get the jobs and the pay
you want (and deserve!).
Nurses with BSNs Can Have Longer, More Flexible Careers
Nursing is hard work physically and emotionally, whatever your specialty. This career is a long-term choice. At some
point you may not want to push gurneys down countless hallways on the night shift. Having your BSN opens up many
different specialties that an ADN does not. It also opens up different schedules. Do you dream of doing remote work? Or
being home while the sun still shines? Do you want to choose when, where, and how you work? A BSN can help accomplish
any or all of those things! Bearing in mind that nurses are increasingly relied upon to provide advanced levels of care,
a BSN can also position you to progress into a Nurse Practitioner role.
A BSN Can Build Your “You Got This!” Confidence
Do you remember your very first travel nursing assignment? Nervousness, excitement … occasionally wondering, “Can I
really do this?” Travel nurses must be prepared for anything that comes their way.
This updated 2024 study found that
BSN-prepared nurses reported feeling better prepared than associate-degree-prepared nurses on 75% of areas related to
quality and safety. There’s nothing like a feeling of competency. Education is one way to deliver that confidence.
The evidence is clear: getting your BSN is a great option for travel nurses. A BSN can help you and your patients. If ADN-to-BSN or RN-to-BSN is right for you, you can enjoy the benefits of your degree for many years.
Last Modified On: May 17, 2021
The next stop on your traveler journey awaits.
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