What Courses are Required for the BSN in Nursing?

Most state nurse licensing boards require only an associate degree in order to qualify as a registered nurse. However, many employers are beginning to see the value of hiring nurses with higher credentials. To support this idea, the Institute of Medicine, a private medical research group, issued a recommendation that at least 80% of all registered nurses in the United States have at least a bachelor’s degree by the year 2020.

Getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing is quickly becoming a requirement. Those who haven’t gotten their degree yet may wonder what to expect in a nursing program. What are some of the required classes in these programs? How do these classes prepare students for the demands of the job? How can nursing students stay organized throughout their course of study?

Required Learning for Nursing Students

Every nursing program is slightly different. However, all nursing programs are designed to prepare students to assist doctors and other medical professionals in providing superior medical care. In order to do this, students need to learn:

• Concepts of nursing. Classes that explore the philosophical and ethical reasoning behind a nurse’s daily actions help students to understand the importance of protocol, integrity, and diligence.
• Pharmacology. Nurses who are responsible for dispensing medications need pharmacology instruction to ensure their patients always receive the proper dosage with minimal risk of harmful interactions.
• Anatomy and physiology. A basic understanding of the human body is essential for anyone on a healthcare team. These classes also include terminology instruction, which helps future nurses communicate more effectively with other professionals.
• Healthcare information systems. The technology that powers our modern medical facilities takes some special training. Students learn how to work with digital records, including how to safeguard patient information during transmission.
• Specialized training classes. If you want to work in a particular discipline like maternal or geriatric medicine, specialized classes provide information relevant to those goals.

Instruction also includes lab work where students learn how to draw blood, obtain vital signs, and keep records. An externship may be offered before graduation to give students some real-world experience.

Organization Tips for Nursing Students

Nursing school is challenging. However, a little organization eases some of the frustration and allows you to concentrate on your studies. Use these tips to keep your focus throughout your bachelor’s degree study program.

• Setup a schedule. Set out which nights will be study nights and stick to  your schedule. Once you get into the rhythm of which days are nights in with the books, it will become natural.
• Master multiple planners. You’ll need at least 2 planners to keep your personal and study lives straight. Use one to record non-academic obligations like birthdays, doctor’s appointments, and work duties. Use the other to record due dates, schedule study sessions, and keep ahead of quizzes and tests.
• Pin down the details before your program starts. Talk to your scheduling supervisor at work and get commitments from friends and family members to help with domestic responsibilities. Make sure you have plenty of support and backup so little emergencies don’t derail your education plans.

Even if you haven’t been to school in many years, these tips will help you stay the course throughout your nursing program.

The Importance of Education in Nursing

Why does the Institute of Medicine recommend that all nurses get their BSN?

• The level of knowledge attained from a BSN program makes nurses more qualified to successfully assist doctors.
• A BSN program allows nurses extra practice that helps them perform better in their clinical duties.
• As technology becomes increasingly important in medical care, nurses need the exposure to new procedures offered in a degree program.
• More in-depth understanding of physical processes makes more effective medical team members.
• BSN programs often include classes in psychology and communication that also increase the effectiveness of RNs.

Are You Ready To Begin Your BSN Journey?

If you are ready to become a nurse and want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this course of study at an accelerated pace. For more information regarding this exciting program, connect with a friendly ECPI University admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional Track

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