• Licensure for Registered Nurses (RN)
• Career Opportunities for RNs with a BSN
• Earnings for RNs
• Working Conditions for RNs
• Nursing Career Resources
• Opportunities for Advancement for RNs

Licensure for Registered Nurses

In 16 months, the Accelerated BSN program prepares you to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which you must pass to become licensed and to work as a registered nurse (RN). Licensing is done by state boards of nursing. RNs are required to renew their licenses on a periodic basis.

NCLEX Pass Rates*

* Source: The Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/researcher/physical-health/nursing/nclex/ [1] 

In 2013 the National Council of State Boards of Nursing changed the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN Licensure exam and the School of Nursing experienced a drop in the pass rate, as did other schools nationally.

The School of Nursing's multi-faceted response to support student readiness for the licensure exam and raise pass rates to their previous high levels has proved successful.

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Career Opportunities for RNs with a BSN

Due to the continuing nursing shortage [2] in the U.S., registered nurses are in great demand. According to US News & World Report, Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 19.4 percent from 2012 to 2022 [3], much faster than the average for all occupations. US News & World Report ranked RNs as having the sixth best job in America.

In addition, your BSN educational preparation affects patient care and your status as an RN. Research demonstrates that baccalaureate-prepared nurses deliver better patient care [4] and improve patients' outcomes. Increasingly, employers recognize the importance of such research and seek to hire RNs with a minimum of a BSN degree.

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Earnings for RNs

According to the 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics [5] report, median annual earnings of registered nurses were $67,490 in 2014.

• The middle 50 percent earned between $55,320 and $82,490
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,360
• The highest 10 percent earned more than $101,630

Many employers offer flexible work schedules, childcare, educational benefits, and bonuses.

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Working Conditions for RNs

Nurses work in all types of settings where there is a need for health care in communities, cities, and rural areas locally and globally, such as hospitals, community agencies, ambulatory care offices, home care settings, nursing homes, occupational settings, schools, public health clinics, veterans organizations, and government agencies.

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Nursing Career Resources

The MGH Institute provides Career Services [6] for students and alumni.

Below are links to Web sites, unaffiliated with MGH Institute, that provide valuable information on Nursing careers.

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing [7] (AACN): With a resource section on nursing shortages [2]
• American Nurses Association [8] (ANA): Features an ANA Career Center [9].
• Campus RN [10]: Career information, news about nursing, job search and more
• Registered Nurse [11]: Very comprehensive guide to nursing education and nursing career information
• Sigma Theta Tau [12]: International Honors Society for Nursing: Great source for leadership opportunities; excellent Career Map for new and current nurses. MGH Institute has its own chapter of the Society: Upsilon Lambda [13].

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Opportunities for Advancement for RNs with a BSN

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing serves as the foundation for life-long learning, opening the door to continuous career development and progression.

MGH Institute offers several options for continuing your nursing education at the advanced practice level, with both Master of Science [14], and Doctor of Nursing Practice [15] programs, once you’ve established yourself in your new career.

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