Prospective nurses have a number of educational programs to choose from, including BSN or bachelors of nursing degree programs. For students, a bachelors of nursing degree program is the most rigorous training program that leads to a career as a registered nurse.

Time Frame

Bachelors of nursing degrees typically require four years of study to complete.

Locations

Throughout the United States, a number of colleges and universities offer bachelors of nursing degrees.

Features

Bachelors of nursing programs typically begin with courses in anatomy, physiology, psychology, microbiology and chemistry as well as general education requirements in fields like English, social sciences and mathematics. During the final years of bachelors of nursing programs, students receive hands-on practice in the field by working in clinical settings as interns.

Cost

For the 2009 to 2010 school year, the cost of tuition for one year at an in-state public averaged $7,020 and $26,273 at a private university, according to CollegeBoard.com. This translates to $28,080 and $105,092, respectively for an entire

Benefits

Graduate programs typically require bachelors of nursing degrees for admission to advanced training masters and PhD programs in nursing. In addition, employers often prefer nurses with bachelors degrees to fill nurse manager and other hospital administration positions, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Compensation

In December 2009, individuals with a bachelor of nursing degree averaged salaries of $50,386 to $71,071, reports Payscale.com.

Source:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses

CollegeBoard.com: 2009-10 College Prices

Payscale.com: Salary Survey for Degree: Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN)