Rn To Bsn Programs in Ohio

If you live in Ohio, a RN to BSN program is available to help you make this career transition. These programs are designed for registered nurses (RN) who want to advance in their careers and further their nursing knowledge and skills.  A bachelor's degree is preferred and is often required for advancement in a nurse's career as management and administrative positions require applicants to possess good communication, leadership, and negotiation skills. The duration of the program will depend upon the number of credit hours you need as you may be able to transfer previously completed credits into this program. Once admitted to the program, students must complete the required general education, general nursing courses, and core nursing courses in order to complete their degree requirements. This program covers those aspects of nursing education that are left out of ADN (Associate's Nursing Degree) and diploma programs including critical care, research, and community health; as well as standard topics in nutrition, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology.

Online Degree Programs
More and more students and employers are starting to realize the benefits in online or distance education. Rapid advancements in technology have made it possible to pursue your education and maintain a full time job as long as you are motivated, self-disciplined, and well-organized. This method of education can be highly effective for attaining higher education required for professional progress. If you enroll in an online Ohio RN to BSN program, you could save on commuting time and educational costs. Your study will be without geographic or learning pace constraints, as you will be able to benefit from flexible study schedules. Students will be provided with a dynamic and interactive learning environment with a student-centric approach.

Admission Criteria
Universities set their own criteria for admission into BSN programs. Generally, you will need an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing. These should be approved by the State of Ohio Board of Nursing. Applicants must also hold an active registered nurse license. In addition to this, you need to have a satisfactory grade point average (usually a 2.0 from a scale of 4.0) from high school or the community college your received your ADN. Universities may also conduct medical and background checks.

Job Outlook
The employment outlook for registered nurses is quite bright. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has confirmed that the shortage of nursing staff is to spread across the country from 2009 through 2030. Employment projections by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012, report that registered nursing will be a top profession in terms of job growth through 2020. The number of employed nurses is expected to grow from 2.74 million in 2010 to 3.45 million in 2020. This means a 26% increase for employment in this profession. RNs equipped with a BSN degree can now choose from a variety of work environments. They are eligible for administrative and management level positions in hospitals, and could work at pharmaceutical or insurance companies and managed care organizations. They may work in the following areas:

• Health planning and development
• Marketing of patient care technologies
• Consultation on issues like disease prevention, risk reduction, and illness management
• Policy development on legal, ethical and emerging issues in the field of nursing
• Quality assurance