RN to BSN Programs in Alabama

Several RN to BSN programs exist for registered nurses (RNs) in Alabama who wish to earn a BSN. Programs are offered both in-person and online. To complete an accredited RN to BSN program, students must generally complete courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, nursing, and the liberal arts (if these have not already been taken as part of an RN program). Supervised clinical experience is also provided in hospital departments (such as pediatrics, maternity, surgery, etc.), and some RN to BSN programs include clinical experience in nursing care facilities, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 42,880 registered nurses in Alabama in 2009, with an annual mean salary of $57,860. Registered nurses without BSN degrees tend to earn salaries in the lower range of the spectrum, from $39,980 to $46,290, and those with a BSN degree earn salaries in the higher range, from $64,950 to $78,250. The advantages to earning an RN to BSN degree are primarily in terms of salary and advancement possibilities. Nurses who receive a bachelor's degree receive more training in communication, leadership, and critical thinking, which are increasingly important as you advance in your career. BSN programs also offer more experience in non-clinical settings.