Determining if a degree is worth it can depend on several factors, such your financial situation, the amount of time you have to study and complete coursework, and your return on investment (ROI). ROI is calculated by weighing the financial investment against future salary and employment opportunities. Earning a BSN is often worth the cost since RNs with a BSN tend to earn higher wages and have greater responsibilities than RNs with an associate degree. According to ADVANCE Healthcare’s 2020 nurse salary survey, RNs with a bachelor’s degree earned an average salary of $71,901 compared to $64,983 for those with only an associate degree.
Having a BSN degree can also lead to increased employment opportunities as many hospitals require or strongly prefer to hire entry-level RNs with a BSN based on a survey of 647 schools of nursing. Nursing organizations are also advocating for increased credentials among nurses; the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) recommends that nurses have at least a BSN degree since this strongly correlates with a better quality of care and patient outcomes. As of 2019, 56% of RNs have a BSN, compared to only 49% in 2010.