what is bs nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by an accredited tertiary education institution. It is a four-year undergraduate degree intended for students who want to pursue a career as a registered nurse (RN) or beyond. The BSN program expands on the basic nursing skills taught in RN programs and introduces nurses to topics such as patient care technology, research, health promotion, safety, and quality within the healthcare system. BSN graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN are open to various career paths in nursing, including working in physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, or patients homes. BSN nurses may be given more responsibilities in the workplace and can pursue direct-care and managerial roles in specialty fields. In 2011, the Institute of Medicine recommended that 80% of RNs hold a BSN degree by 2020.