Utah RN to BSN Bridge Programs
Utah is one state that braced for the nursing shortage several years ago, temporarily minimizing the impact of unfilled positions with the nursing workforce in the state. State and private universities responded to the call for more nurses in 2005 when there were 19,525 nurses licensed in the state, according to an article by Wendy Leonard in The Deseret News (2012). As a result of efforts by the state, the number of registered nurses grew to 25,867 by 2011, however, there is still a major push to increase the number and education level of nurses in the state of Utah.
The Utah Nursing Action Coalition, along with the Utah Organization of Nurse Leaders have been implementing strategic objectives to aid in the training and retention of RNs, including the implementation of an initiative to create seamless pathways from AD to BS nursing education.
At BestNursingDegree.com, we too believe that transitioning from a diploma or associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree should be as easy as possible. That is why we have taken the time to amass and provide you with a listing of all the options available for you to earn your BSN. Since there are many options available, we recommend requesting information from all of those that you are interested in, so you can make a well informed decision.
Below, you will find a list of featured schools that often offer online and distance education options to meet the needs of working RNs. Submitting requests for RN to BSN program information is easy and free, and you may select as many schools as you like. Choosing a program wisely means considering all of your options, so we do encourage you to browse our full listings.
Curriculum of RN to BSN Programs in Utah
Utah has an array of RN-BSN programs, both online and campus based, designed to fit the needs of the working nurse. Online programs typically take 16 months to complete, but like most ground based programs, can often be tailored to fit your individual needs. Academic advisers can help you decide whether to take classes full or part time, and can help design a custom plan of study based upon your unique situation. Universities strongly recommend working nurses limit their hours to 24 hours per week when they are in the full-time program. However, part-time courses can be completed by attending just one class per semester if necessary.
Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing programs strive to strengthen the critical thinking skills you already possess as an RN, as well as teach leadership and management principles to be incorporated into your nursing practice. Applicants to an RN to BSN program in Utah must have a current RN license, a transcript from an accredited associate or diploma program and must have completed the prerequisite courses prior to entering the program. Prerequisites generally include English, mathematics, statistics and social sciences courses.
The advanced nursing courses that must be completed to earn a Bachelor’s degree often include:
- Complex Patient Centered Nursing Care
- Scholarship for Evidence–Base Practice
- Healthcare Policy and Decision Making
- Population Health in Nursing
- Nursing Research
- Nursing Management and Leadership
- Communication, Collaboration, and Information Management in Healthcare
In addition, many RN to BSN programs require 6 credit hours to be completed from the following specialty/elective nursing course options:
- Oncology Nursing
- Threats & Crisis: Nursing Response
- Nursing: High Risk Adult
- Nursing: High Risk Family
- Nursing Assessment Across the Lifespan
Keep in mind that required courses vary across programs slightly, so it is best to request information from the schools you are interested in to determine specific curriculum requirements.
Careers for RN to BSN Graduates in Utah
The median salary for Utah’s Registered Nurses is $58,700 annually, according to CareerOneStop (2013). Salaries often depend upon experience and education, supporting the financial return on expanding your nursing education. In addition to the opportunity for increased earning potential, obtaining your BSN an open up new career options, often in leadership roles.
A Bachelor’s prepared nurse is eligible for more positions than an RN, including those that require highly developed case management and patient teaching knowledge. These include positions in hospitals, home healthcare, nursing homes, and community agencies. Some hospitals prefer bachelors educated nurses for their critical care areas and their emergency rooms as well, and a Bachelor’s degree is required for nursing within the VA system.
Additionally, there are jobs available outside of direct patient care, including case management, occupational health nursing and positions within insurance and pharmaceutical firms. Your advanced training can also open up roles such as diabetic educators, utilization review managers, hospice nurse managers or clinical strategists nurses for adoptions.
While Utah maintains both diploma-prepared and degree-prepared RNs, there remains a call for more highly educated nurses across the nation. Utah is a nurse licensure compact state meaning nurses can use a Utah license to practice in 24 other states, allowing for flexibility and choice in practice.
If you, like many other nurses, are looking to expand your career options by earning your BSN, you have come to the right place. We have compiled a listing of all the RN to BSN programs in Utah, as well as online programs that may fit your needs. By requesting information from the featured schools below, you can find out how to further both your education and your career.
Utah Nursing Schools to Choose:
University of Utah – Salt Lake City Utah’s top-ranked nursing school offers RNs a 16-month, part-time program to complete a BS in nursing. All classes are completed online. Prospective students must complete a specified list of prerequisites before entering the program.
Southern Utah University Located in the southwest region of the state and accessible to many sites of entertainment, Southern Utah University offers a one-year, RN-to-BSN program. Students are required to join a professional nursing organization for the program.
- Weber State University: This university’s program can be completed in three to four semesters based upon the number of credits taken. Students can apply undergraduate credits toward completion of a graduate degree in nursing. Weber State University is located in Ogden just 40 miles north of Salt Lake City.
UT Nursing Employer Spotlight
- University of Utah Health Care University of Utah Health Care has four primary hospitals located in the Salt Lake City area. This academic system employs more than 1,600 RNs and offers 50 percent tuition reduction for qualified employees.
