As a registered nurse (RN), you provide invaluable care and compassion to patients in their most vulnerable moments. You administer medications and treatments, advocate for your patients, and often serve as the steady hand that keeps things running. You are, arguably, the backbone of the healthcare system.
But you’re more than that. You’re a caregiver, a problem solver, a team leader, and someone who deserves the opportunity to grow. For many RNs, that next opportunity comes in the form of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
While an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the minimum requirement to become an RN, earning a BSN can open doors to leadership roles and higher pay, all while strengthening the care you already provide.
A BSN, or RN to BSN, has a number of similarities to an ADN:
While both an ADN and a BSN will equip you with the essential skills to begin your nursing career, there are some notable differences—particularly in terms of time commitment, salary potential, and long-term career opportunities. For example, you can complete an ADN in two or more years, while a BSN degree requires a minimum of four years to complete.
The time invested pays off, however. Nurses that have earned their BSN average higher annual salaries than their ADN-holding colleagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses in 2024 was $93,600.
While the BLS does not break down salaries specifically for ADN vs. BSN holders, it reports that registered nurses in outpatient care centers earn a mean wage of $102,640, while those in federal government positions earn an average of $114,860—roles that often prefer or require a BSN.
Not sure if now’s the right time to earn your BSN? You’re not the only one. Many nurses start with a diploma or associate degree and return to school later once they’ve gained experience, weighed their options, or solidified their goals.
Whether you’re early in your career or planning ahead for graduate school, a BSN can open new doors. Here are four key reasons to consider advancing your nursing education:
If you’re considering going the BSN route, here are four reasons to do so:
As a BSN student, you’ll study subjects including theories and issues in professional nursing and healthcare, nursing research, and clinical leadership. Modern nursing also puts a strong emphasis on addressing the needs of multicultural patients as our society becomes more diverse and interconnected with the outside world.
This means you’ll take one or more courses with a multicultural or global focus. In addition, you may take some electives with a business and/or management focus.
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CCNE-accredited online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares you to take on leadership and decision-making roles in patient care. As you progress through the program, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the following skills:
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing online from UT Permian Basin provides many advantages:
UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program has three required clinical courses. These courses let you work closely with an established professional to acquire invaluable experience, develop new knowledge and skills, and apply theory into actual practice within a variety of professional settings.
Clinical courses are conducted in-person with a preceptor of your choosing, provided they’ve already earned a BSN and are currently working in a leadership position. You do not need to make campus visits for the clinical courses, and you’ll receive all of the details and requirements for preceptors while enrolled in your first seminar course.
Elevate your career potential! See where a BSN from UT Permian Basin can take you.
Sources:
https://nurse.org/education/adn-vs-bsn-degree
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
No two patients are exactly alike. Different symptoms, different diagnoses, different treatment plans. Another key difference? Their cultural background. In the U.S.’s increasingly diverse healthcare landscape, nurses regularly care for patients from all over the world, and their values, beliefs, and expectations aren’t always the same.
Just like a treatment plan should be tailored to the individual, nursing care must also be adapted to respect and reflect each patient’s unique cultural identity. That’s where transcultural nursing comes in.
To truly connect with patients and offer the highest quality of care, nurses must develop cultural awareness and strong communication skills. These skills build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and improve outcomes, especially in today’s multicultural communities.
Whether you’re an experienced RN or just beginning your BSN journey, gaining transcultural nursing skills can help you become a more compassionate, effective caregiver.
Transcultural nursing is a specialty that focuses on delivering culturally sensitive and respectful care to people of diverse backgrounds. In practice, this means learning how culture influences communication, health behaviors, and expectations so that nurses can tailor their care to each patient’s unique needs.
In a multicultural society, there are multiple factors to consider in patient care that haven’t always been top of mind for healthcare professionals, such as how body language, eye contact, touch, and proximity affect patients. These elements, often second nature in nursing, can vary greatly across cultures.
What feels respectful in one culture may feel invasive or dismissive in another. That’s why nurses must treat each of these aspects as culturally influenced and potentially sensitive.
While it’s helpful to be able to identify the culture and religion of a patient you’re treating, it’s also important not to make assumptions about them or stereotype them. As the peer-reviewed journal Nursing2020 states, failing to understand or respect a patient’s preferences may come across as indifference—or worse, incompetence.
Instead of relying on generalizations, it’s important to remember that all patients are individuals. A cultural assessment tool, such as a short questionnaire, can be a helpful way to learn about preferences and build trust.
Key practices to keep in mind include:
Formal instruction is another way to become what the Transcultural Nursing Society calls a “culturally competent nurse.” A baccalaureate-level program such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can help you gain the skills to identify and overcome challenges arising from cultural differences with patients. These skills help you perform your daily nursing responsibilities more effectively while helping you advance your career.
Created with a transcultural-nursing-infused curriculum, The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CCNE-accredited online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program can help you prepare to take on leadership and decision-making roles.
As you move through our program, you’ll learn effective ways to meet the diverse needs of multicultural patients as well as gain a deeper understanding of evidence-based practice and patient-centered care.
The UT Permian Basin online RN to BSN program includes three core courses that directly address the question, “What is transcultural nursing?”:
In this course, you’ll gain a foundation in the nursing practices and specialized medical and nursing terminology you need to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and families. This includes:
This course includes an analysis of formal and informal community systems/resources and healthcare delivery systems in public health and emphasizes cultural influences’ effect on the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations. In the course, you’ll:
In this course, you’ll discover how to:
You’ll also learn the importance of collaboration and interprofessional communication in promoting healthy communities through public health systems. The course also examines community assessment and planning in non-emergent and emergent situations in addition to advocacy for access to the healthcare system.
Earning your BSN online from UT Permian Basin means benefits you can enjoy immediately, not just after graduation. Our program features asynchronous, fully online classes that you can complete at any time of day from any location with internet access.
There are no required campus visits, and you can choose from six program start times to fit your schedule and program completion goals. If you’ll be juggling professional and personal responsibilities while you’re enrolled, you’ll find this flexibility invaluable.
The UT Permian Basin online RN to BSN program is delivered in an accelerated format that enables you to finish some courses in just seven weeks.Courses are taught by the same acclaimed faculty who teach them in-person on the UT Permian Basin campus. When you graduate from the program, you’ll receive a BSN degree that’s identical to the one that campus-based students receive.
To provide the most effective care to patients, every nurse should be educated in transcultural nursing. UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program can help you excel in the modern multicultural environment.
Ready to enhance your nursing skills and serve diverse communities more effectively? Apply to UTPB’s online RN to BSN program today.
Sources:
https://www.registerednursing.org/specialty/transcultural-nurse
https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Fulltext/2005/01001/UNDERSTANDING_TRANSCULTURAL_NURSING.2.aspx
Other articles you may be interested in:
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
Work-life balance is important for nurses because the demands of the job don’t stop when a shift ends. Nurses spend their days caring for others, often under intense physical and emotional pressure, which can make it difficult to protect time for rest, relationships, and personal goals.
When work begins to crowd out everything else, nurses may experience chronic stress, exhaustion, and burnout. Finding balance isn’t about splitting time evenly between work and life, but about creating a routine that supports both professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
In this article, we explore why work-life balance matters for nurses and practical ways to improve it over time.
For nurses, work-life balance doesn’t mean bisecting your time into 50% work and 50% leisure, nor does it mean completely separating these two halves.
According to management professor Marcus Butts, “Busy people who see work and nonwork as two separate spheres tend to get angry when one bleeds into the other.” Rather than looking at your work and personal life as two competing halves, he suggests looking at life as “one big pie.”
Another way is to imagine life as a wheel. The “Wheel of Life” is a tool that can help you visualize the varying areas of your life. In addition to work and leisure, the wheel of life generally contains:
There will be days when one area of your life takes priority, like when you’re asked to work overtime, and that’s okay, so long as the other areas of your life aren’t neglected for too long. What is work-life balance as a nurse? It’s being satisfied with all aspects of your life, including work and leisure, even when one aspect takes priority over the others, and it’s absolutely achievable.
When not at work, nurses try to squeeze as much out of their free time as possible, including spending time with their family, furthering their education, and finding time for a little rest and relaxation. No one wants to choose between work and personal commitments like these. However, nurses who are unable to improve work-life balance risk falling short in both their personal and professional lives.
Work-life imbalance can also result in burnout, a state of physical and mental exhaustion that causes nurses to feel disconnected from work and home. Nurses experiencing burnout are more likely to make mistakes, which can be costly and dangerous in the medical field. According to the Mayo Clinic, nurses with poor life-balance put their own health at risk as a result of chronic stress, which can cause anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, and heart disease.
Your first step in achieving work-life balance is to use your skills as a nurse to evaluate your own priorities. What would you tell a patient if they were experiencing stress from work-life imbalance? What dimension of your wheel of life have you been neglecting?
Even if your priority is to advance your career, another aspect of your life, such as your physical or mental health, might be throwing the rest of your life out of balance.
Your next step is to create a personalized plan for improving work-life balance. Start with small, achievable goals. For example, if your goal is to spend more time with your family, you can start by planning meals around the dinner table instead of having everyone eat separately. You’re likely setting yourself up for failure if you expect to achieve work-life balance all at once. Instead, try using evidence-based strategies to create an individualized change process where small successes are built upon to achieve an overall goal.
Time management is one of the most important aspects of work-life balance as a nurse. When creating your personalized plan, take a look at how you currently spend your time.
If you’re spending an inordinate amount of time browsing through social media, unplugging for a few hours a day can relieve stress and free up time for your lifestyle goals. Track how you spend your time to spot activities that are eating up your free time. There’s no shortage of time management apps that can help you do so.
Work schedules are one of the most important influences on work-life balance. Many nurses elect to work three 12-hour shifts a week to try to tip the work-life balance scales, thinking that four days off will allow them to make the most of their personal time.
A four-day weekend is appealing, but it’s important to consider how exhausting this schedule can be. After a 12-, 14-, or even 16-hour workday followed by a long commute home, many nurses can barely muster the energy to eat a meal, let alone make time for personal commitments. A four-day weekend might very well allow for more personal time, but if a nurse is spending that time recovering, it might not be worth it.
Night shifts, especially rotating shifts, are particularly detrimental to nurse work-life balance. Nurses working overnight shifts can experience disrupted circadian rhythms, leading to insomnia, illnesses, and accidents. They can also experience psychological issues as a result of being isolated from their loved ones. If you’re having trouble finding your work-life balance, speaking with your supervisor regarding your schedule and personal needs may help.
Nurses are better able to care for patients when they have the guidance, encouragement, and support of a team. It’s no different when improving work-life balance. Lifestyle coaches, trusted friends, and experienced coworkers are all sources of support who can help you achieve your career and lifestyle goals.
There will always be caring mentors willing to help people who genuinely want to create positive change in their lives. At The University of Texas Permian Basin, you’ll find them in our RN to BSN program, passing on their experience and supporting nurses as they learn to balance their personal and professional lives.
Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
https://journals.lww.com/nursing/fulltext/2012/01001/Striving_for_work_life_balance.10.aspx
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2165079914565355?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
CCNE accreditation is a must for reputable nursing education programs, but what exactly are CCNE accreditation standards and what are the benefits of being accredited? Here we examine those questions and introduce a renowned, CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
The CCNE, an abbreviation of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, is an independent accrediting body dedicated to improving public health by assessing the quality of nursing education programs at the bachelor’s, graduate, and residency levels (To clarify, it is the degree program itself that is accredited by the CCNE, not the university, or school or college of nursing).
While any program can tout its own quality, CCNE-accreditation indicates that experts in the field have evaluated the program and confirmed its commitment to excellence. The CCNE is officially acknowledged as a national accrediting agency by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
The CCNE thoroughly evaluates nursing education programs and recognizes those that are providing education at the highest standards. In addition, the CCNE encourages these programs to assess themselves and make improvements on an ongoing basis to ensure they continue to serve their students’ and the public’s best interests.
There are multiple steps in the process of demonstrating that a program meets CCNE accreditation standards. The first step depends on whether or not the educational institution already has one or more CCNE-accredited programs.
Accreditation is a peer review process that includes on-site evaluations conducted by representatives from the CCNE. These evaluators are volunteers who are often practicing nurses, established educators in the field, and representatives of healthcare employers such as hospitals. The evaluation is a comprehensive process that takes several days to complete. During their visit, the evaluation team reviews a variety of materials, including:
The team then reports back to the CCNE Board of Commissioners, which meets twice each year to review on-site evaluations and render accrediting decisions. Programs that earn accreditation are expected to regularly submit reports verifying their ongoing compliance with accreditation standards.
In addition, they must provide notification upon any substantive changes to their program, such as a change in status with their state board of nursing, a change in the program’s mission, or the addition of new courses to the program. These reports and notifications vary in format based on whether the program in question is a bachelor’s, graduate, or residency program.
It’s through this rigorous assessment process that the CCNE has established its status as the accrediting body of record for nursing education programs in the United States.
Accreditation is a mark of quality for nursing schools, enhancing their reputation and attracting top students. It demonstrates the school’s commitment to excellence in nursing education.
For nursing schools, CCNE accreditation is a badge of honor. It signifies that a program is among the best of the best, a distinction which enables it to attract motivated, top-performing students. The CCNE board members and evaluators are all proven leaders in the fields of nursing and nursing education. Accreditation is voluntary, but by choosing to go through that process, a school demonstrates its desire to hold itself—and to be held—to the highest standards.
For nursing students and residents, CCNE accreditation standards are an assurance that they can expect to receive an education of the highest quality possible. Further, accreditation communicates to the student that they will be equipped to enter the workforce after graduation as a fully trained, capable, and confident nurse. Attending an accredited nursing program can also help students qualify for federal financial aid and sit for licensing exams.
The public also benefits from CCNE accreditation in that accreditation ensures rigorous, comprehensive nursing programs that help to create highly skilled professionals who can provide the finest patient care.
If you’re considering applying to an undergraduate nursing program, see how CCNE accreditation translates to real-world healthcare outcomes in the online RN to BSN program from The University of Texas Permian Basin College of Nursing.
This affordable, convenient program helps you prepare for important leadership and decision-making roles in patient care. As you progress through the program, you’ll develop an in-depth comprehension of evidence-based practice, patient-focused care, and approaches for fulfilling the varied needs of multicultural patients.
UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program was designed with busy RNs in mind. We know that juggling the requirements of a profession, an education, and a family can be a challenge. To make earning that career-enhancing degree possible for you, we’ve created a truly flexible program. You can complete your studies on your own schedule, anywhere you have internet access, and earn your BSN degree in as little as one year.
That flexibility extends to our program’s clinical courses, which don’t require any campus visits and can be done with a preceptor of your choice, provided the individual has already earned a BSN degree and is currently working in a nursing leadership position.
Upon successful completion of our RN to BSN program, you’ll receive two respected nursing education credentials: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Nurse Manager Certificate from Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. When you make the transition from registered nurse to BSN degree holder, you open up new doors of career potential, advancement, pay, and professional prestige.
Experience the value of CCNE accreditation for yourself. Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program now.
Sources:
https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
Other articles you may be interested in:
Picture this: You’re in a hospital room, and a nurse walks in—flustered, but still smiling—with a chart in hand. This expert provider is checking your vitals, catching early warning signs, coordinating with doctors, reassuring your anxious family outside, and solving small healthcare crises in the hallway … all before lunch. Today, nurses are no longer…
Of the growing number of fields actively using artificial intelligence (AI) technology—including finance, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service—the field that arguably makes the most significant impact in our lives is healthcare. AI is supporting all healthcare sectors, simultaneously making nurses more efficient, elevating their level of care, and improving patient outcomes. Here we’ll examine some…
Every year, over 150,000 registered nurses (RNs) graduate from nursing school, ready and eager to make a difference in the lives of patients. They’ve spent up to four years preparing for this moment, poring over textbooks, completing clinicals, and mastering skills. But when it comes time to face the challenges on the hospital floor or…
Women comprise the majority of today’s marketing workforce. Although women are often touted as better communicators, this characterization alone doesn’t explain why women so often pursue an education and career in this dynamic field.
Marketing is an area of business unlike any other. In this growing field, anyone can enter on the ground floor and rise to the top. It’s also a professional space where women can enjoy a flexible role and collaborate with driven, like-minded peers. Finally, it’s a field where women can use quantifiable data to prove their worth. If you’re considering a career where advancement and success are determined by education, experience, and expertise, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Texas Permian Basin and a career in marketing might be for you.
The gender pay gap is no secret. It’s a persistent problem found throughout all industries that has only improved slightly in the past few decades. Women are still only earning about 85% of what men earn due to factors such as gender discrimination, occupational segregation, and educational disparities. Fortunately, the barriers preventing equality in the workplace are being increasingly recognized and systematically addressed, and this trend toward parity is particularly apparent in the marketing industry.
A career in marketing entails far more than just making sales. It requires a thorough understanding of business fundamentals; the analysis of markets, competitors, and buyer behaviors for the development of marketing strategies; and the ability to execute those strategies. Although the ability to communicate is vital in a marketing career, success in your future marketing role will ultimately be determined by your ability to make informed decisions that drive results.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “overall employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.” Marketing jobs for women are continually increasing because companies are always looking to establish and grow their online and offline presence. This means that professionals with an education in marketing will always be essential—a benefit that can’t be overstated, particularly in times of national economic uncertainty. Whether your interests lie in digital, multichannel, or e-commerce marketing, you’re going to be entering an adaptable industry with a promising career outlook.
Marketing managers made a median annual wage of $136,850 in 2019 per BLS data, and that’s just one position in this expanding field. If you’d like to count yourself among their ranks, your best bet is to obtain a BBA in marketing. UT Permian Basin’s online BBA in marketing program can prepare you for a career in a number of areas, including:
Earning a marketing degree can help you land your ideal position, whether you’re just getting started in marketing, changing careers within the field, or eyeing an upper-management position. In an equitable yet competitive industry like marketing, a reputable degree is essential for securing the pay and position you desire.
Not everyone is attracted to the marketing field for the money or stability, although those are certainly advantages. For many women, the chance to work in a position that is flexible enough to accommodate their lifestyle is reason enough to pursue a marketing degree. Because the bulk of their work is performed online, women in marketing can enjoy a flexible workplace and schedule. Imagine being able to perform your job duties from anywhere on the planet. A café in London or a hotel room in New York could be your workspace, assuming you have the Wi-Fi password. A flexible schedule is even more of a priority for many working women. With a flexible work schedule, women in marketing can:
In many cases, marketing jobs for women place less emphasis on hours worked and more emphasis on completed projects that yield results. As long as you’re doing your job and doing it well, you’ll also be able to prioritize personal responsibilities or just enjoy a change of scenery while on the job. Our BBA in marketing program was designed with this work-life balance in mind. 100% online with flexible 8-week courses and six start dates a year, our program provides a convenient way to launch your career in this adaptable industry.
Just because you’ll have the freedom to work where you want, when you want, doesn’t mean you won’t be a valued member of a team. Pursuing a career in marketing means learning alongside other students who want to hone their natural talents and collaborating with a team of professionals working toward a common cause. There’s nothing quite like bouncing ideas off your peers at every stage of your education and career. If you’re a creative person who’s gone through life looking for like-minded types, there’s a good chance you’ll find them among UT Permian Basin’s marketing students. Many friendships born from UT Permian Basin classes have resulted in networking and career opportunities.
If you do happen to be a woman who is an accomplished communicator, your skills will serve you well in a marketing position. Marketing is all about communication—not only with your team, but with your target audience as you anticipate and address their needs. Wherever you land in the marketing field, your creative flair and communication skills will yield a satisfying career.
Learn about UT Permian Basin’s online BBA in marketing program.
Sources:
https://www.ana.net/blogs/show/id/mm-blog-2018-11-ana-advertising-diversity-report
