If you are considering an education in nursing, congratulations! You’ve picked a great occupation for the years ahead. The U.S. government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists registered nurse (RN) as a top growth occupation, estimating an increase of 16% in available jobs in the 10 years between 2014 and 2024.
Part of that growth is fueled by retirements of more and more nurses from the Baby Boomer generation. The aging population is also a reason that more nursing jobs are opening up. So it looks like a favorable future for registered nurses (RNs) in the next few years.
However, there is a trend that might make you take a second look at your plans to stop your nursing education at the RN level. This push from comes from nursing organizations, industry sources and more recently governments. It’s all about nursing education and the need to get 80% of nurses a bachelor’s degree in nursing or BSN.
Do nurses need a BSN? Many are saying they do. Way back in 2010, the Institute of Medicine made a strong recommendation that 80% of nurses in the workforce get a BSN by the year 2020. At the time of the report, only 50% had a BSN. Today, it’s estimated that 71% of nurses have the bachelor’s degree. As you can see that’s a lot of BSNs to make up.
The federal government projects that more than 203,000 new registered nurse positions will be created each year from 2021-2031. In addition to that statistic, it is likely that more than one-quarter of registered nurses will leave nursing or retire over the next five years. As new nurses enter into the job field they must take note that employers are expressing a strong preference for new nurses with baccalaureate preparation. The latest AACN survey on the Employment of New Nurse Graduates shows that nearly 28% of employers require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree while 72% strongly prefer baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
So, you will probably need to get your BSN. What’s the best way to get it at the best price and quality?
The Academic Progression in Nursing Programs (APIN) cited a shared curriculum model of simultaneous work at a community college and in a university as a way nurses can get the training and education needed. This model for nursing education tackles the problems of time and cost.
Geneva College has partnered with the County Community of Beaver County to offer a shared curriculum nursing program that enables a student to earn both an associate’s in nursing degree (ADN) and a BSN at a cost that is less than traditional bachelor’s degree at the university. Students are also eligible for financial assistance available to any other student at the colleges. The four-year program enables a nursing student to sit for the NCLEX and to meet any need of future positions requiring the BSN degree.
If you’d like to learn more about Geneva’s nursing program, contact Geneva College Admissions at 800.847.8255 or admissions@willowsgolfresort.com.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Mar 7, 2018
Are you interested in earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education? Read here to learn about the program that Geneva offers!
Have you ever wondered what Geneva's Core Curriculum consists of? Read here to find out!
What is a Bible College? Is Geneva a Bible College? Should I go to a Bible College? The first two questions will be answered here, and hopefully you might gain some clarity about the third.
One might argue that there’s no room for a Christian perspective within a business, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Students that study business will graduate with an abundance of marketable skills and an overwhelming variety of career options ahead of them. Read more to learn about possible career paths for business majors.
Are you considering pursuing a master’s in counseling? Here are some reasons why getting a master’s in counseling might be right for you.
Learning and Transition (L&T) is a unique course at Geneva required by all incoming students. But why is it required?
Geneva College faculty members understand and effectively teach their disciplines with academic excellence in combination with a consistent biblical worldview. In addition to serving students on campus, Geneva professors approach the larger world as thought leaders in the integration of faith and learning. Here are some recent examples.
I am here to tell you that you do not need to be a superhuman to get through college. To survive and thrive all four years of your time in college, or however long it takes, here are some things NOT to do while in college.
College students are often consumed by coursework, and they spend a significant amount of time studying for exams and writing term papers about topics related to their chosen major. While it's important to stay focused and earn the best grades possible throughout your college career, you may also want to explore internship opportunities.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
Online Course Login
myGeneva Student Portal