Best Medical Degrees has compiled a list of 25 Fastest Online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. is experiencing a critical nursing shortage which is expected to worsen over the next ten years as an estimated half a million nurses retire. The growth of open nursing positions in healthcare--predicted to rise to 100,000--is also anticipated due to the increase in patients insured by the Affordable Care Act, as well as the emergence of the aging Baby Boomer population.
The salary range for nurses varies depending on education, area of expertise, certification, and licensure. Salaries can range from a median of $66,210 per year to $94,000 for advanced degrees.
"For decades, qualifications for nurses focused on diploma nurses or those with Associate Degrees in Nursing," says editorSusan Kemppainen. "However, the field is rapidly changing and more employers are seeking nurses with a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)."
Colleges and universities are expanding their degree offerings to accommodate the demand for registered, licensed nurses. There are now many accredited programs that allow already licensed nurses to earn their BSN online while continuing to work.
Best Medical Degrees has compiled a list of online RN to BSN programs that may be completed within two years or less. The list was compiled using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Nursing Association, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
The 25 Fastest Online RN to BSN Degrees are as follows, in alphabetical order:
Arizona State College of Nursing and Health Innovation - Phoenix, AZ
Bethel University - St. Paul, MN
East Carolina University - Greenville, NC
Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond, KY
East Tennessee State University - Johnson City, TN
Jacksonville University School of Nursing - Jacksonville, FL
LaSalle University - Philadelphia, PA
Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences - Boston, MA
Notre Dame College Online - Euclid, OH
Rasmussen College, St. Paul - MN
SUNY-Delhi School of Nursing - Delhi, NY
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock, TX
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga - Chattanooga, TN
University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL
University of Cincinnati School of Nursing - Cincinnati, OH
University of Illinois - Chicago School of Nursing - Chicago, IL
University of Louisiana, LaFayette - LaFayette, LA
University of Miami - Miami, FL
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne, IN
University of Saint Mary - Leavenworth, KS
University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL
University of Southern Indiana - Evansville, IN
University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington, TX
Villanova College of Nursing - Philadelphia, PA
Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
BestMedicalDegrees.com is an independent online publication dedicated to providing accurate and useful information for prospective students considering a career in medicine. In addition to medical school profiles, reviews, and rankings, you will find online resource guides for a variety of medical fields, medical career and salary information, as well as interesting and fun articles and infographics on medical related topics.