North Carolina RN to BSN Bridge Programs
There are over 17 fully accredited RN to BSN programs in North Carolina, as NC nursing schools are making educational advancement opportunities readily available for RNs in the state. Entering a bridge program to earn your RN to BSN can lead to new opportunities and is intended advance your nursing practice and skills. The advantages of building on the competencies of the RN degree by obtaining a BSN are numerous, and hospitals and other healthcare settings prefer hiring a Bachelors prepared nurse by 77 percent according to the American Associate of Colleges of Nursing.
Over half of North Carolina RNs hold a BSN or higher degree, making North Carolina nurses among the best-educated in the nation. The study by American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that 64 percent of new BSN graduates in the South had job offers at graduation compared to 24 percent of new graduates in other fields. It’s always difficult to find time in a busy schedule to study, but innovative RN to BSN programs in NC make it more of an option for RNs like you.
With achieving BSN status becoming more and more the norm, it’s a good time to consider continuing your education. Use BestNursingDegree.com to request information about North Carolina nursing programs from the schools below. Requesting from more than one of the NC nursing schools can improve your chances of finding the right fit for you and getting accepted somewhere. Be sure to consider online RN to BSN programs as well, as they are formatted with flexible schedules to facilitate higher education for working nurses.
North Carolina RN to BSN Curriculum
The RN-BSN track can be completed on a web-enhanced program or by attending a campus. There is a great deal of flexibility in the universities as one program requires 30 credits that may be completed in one year of full-time study, while others offer part-time programs, which may be completed in either three, four or five semesters. In addition, day and evening classes are also available.
Students must have an active RN license before enrollment, complete the Global courses and pass Special Examinations prior to enrolling in the BSN curriculum. Typical courses that you may encounter can include:
- Concepts of Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Community Health Nursing
- Leadership and Management
- Foundation of Professional Nursing Practice
- Research
- Transcultural Nursing
Individual requirements of North Carolina nursing schools can vary slightly for required courses, so it is recommended to contact each school to find out each requirement beforehand to be best equipped for choosing the one of the best nursing programs in NC to meet your own needs.
Careers for RN to BSN graduates in North Carolina
According to the North Carolina Board of Nursing, about 86,145 of the 115,400 licensed RNs in the state are working in North Carolina. The others are working out of state, retired, or working in other fields. While the majority of North Carolina nurses work in hospitals (either inpatient or outpatient departments), significant numbers work in medical offices, long-term care, and home health/hospice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the fastest growing areas of nursing employment through 2020 will be in physician offices and home health.
As is true in most states, North Carolina is also experiencing an increased demand for nurses and most hospitals want a BSN prepared nurse. Nurses with BSN degrees typically have more opportunities at jobs with in some different areas of medicine, further reinforcing the growth of RN to BSN programs in NC.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the mean annual salary for nurses in NC is $59,290. Nursing salaries may fluctuate depending on education, years of experience and location as well, with RNs in Greenville, NC earning an annual mean wage of $62,480 (BLS, 2013).
Management positions in many medical settings may be available once you are Baccalaureate prepared. Other BSN positions with more responsibility can include:
- Nurse Managers
- Directors and clinical specialist for those that pass the certification test
- Infusion coordinators
- Wound care specialist for hospitals and clinics
- Case Managers who coordinate a patient’s care from admission to discharge
Of course, not all nurses work in hospitals and case managers for home health and community day care are another area of the growth for BSN’s. There are also many BSNs who hold positions in managing same-day-surgical units. Public health is another growing area that offers new types of positions for bachelors prepared nurses.There are also many opportunities for occupational health nurses who are familiar with Workmen’s Compensation laws. Clinical research coordinator positions are also available for the BSN nurse. The choices for BSNs is continually expanding.
North Carolina Nursing Schools to Consider
- University of North Carolina (Charlotte): The nursing portion of RN to BSN programs in NC consists of 30 credits and can be completed in one year of full-time study. On-campus admissions are accepted once yearly, while distance/online admissions are accepted twice a year. Classes include research in nursing practice and information technology in health care.
- Winston-Salem State University: Classes are offered online and at 16 locations around the state at community college or hospital campuses. Students may attend full-time or part-time. Admission is in January or May. Classes include gerontology, community health and research in nursing. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- East Carolina University (Greenville): The flexible online curriculum offers three, four, and five semester completion options. Admissions are twice yearly. Practicum and field experience are completed in the student’s home region. Classes include nursing leadership and service; and nursing management of complex health issues for individuals, families, and populations.
