Introduction
BSN stands for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and refers to an individual who has acquired such knowledge through four years of studying, hard work, and dedication. It is one of the most widely-held degrees in US healthcare. Half of the nurses in the US workforce hold a BSN degree.
For many, it is the first step towards becoming a Master of Science (MSN), which is a natural continuation of a nursing career. While BSN appears to be the central part of American healthcare, its necessity should not be taken for granted, as its purposes within the system have to be evaluated and understood. The purpose of this discussion is to review the literature to determine why the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in nursing is necessary.
BSN Necessity
BSN is often viewed as an entry point into the medical profession and education. The Institute of Medicine (2011) identifies the necessity of BSN professionals as follows: “A BSN is often required for military nursing, case management, public health nursing, and school-based nursing services” (p. 41). This already covers a wide variety of potential applications for the nursing profession. Individuals serving on the front lines as military doctors must have a BSN degree, at the very least, in addition to their training as wartime professionals. Case management and public health is a wide field of scientific inquiry and practical application, with a need for professionals to work with large communities and individual patients to improve their health through treatment and prevention.
Another reason for the necessity of a BSN is the growth in demand for medical professionals. With the population aging and the number of older adults looking to reach 40 million by 2035, more nurses would be necessary to help accommodate them with tasks that require the basic healthcare knowledge that the BSN program provides (Reinhardt et al., 2020). The shorter program duration times (4 years) would be adequate to train a professional to fulfill most roles necessary to care for the elderly, be that in their domiciles, in hospitals, or nursing homes.
Among other options, BSN professionals are excellent candidates for telehealth services, providing instructions and information to treat the most basic health issues and engage in preventive medicine without ever leaving the office (Reinhardt et al., 2020). Such options save time and money otherwise spent traveling while delivering the highest healthcare quality possible. In addition, saved time can be converted into more patients served, further helping alleviate the crisis. Thus, it is possible to see how a BSN remains one of the most numerous and necessary medical careers.
Conclusion
BSN nurses constitute the largest subgroup of medical professionals. At least one in every two nurses holds BSN credentials. The importance of this profession cannot be overstated, as they cover some of the positions most often frequented by patients. These include combat medicine, school nursing positions, case studies, and working with the local communities. Essentially, they are a pillar supporting the load of essential tasks and allowing all other nurses to specialize. Due to the looming geriatric crisis, their role will be reinforced in the future. Currently, they are an integral part of the US healthcare system. Prospective nurses should consider BSN as a starting point in their medical careers.
References
Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Web.
Reinhardt, A. C., León, T. G., & Amatya, A. (2020). Why nurses stay: Analysis of the registered nurse workforce and the relationship to work environments. Applied Nursing Research, 55. Web.
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