If you are interested in a challenging career that involves helping others in a health care environment, you should consider earning a nursing degree. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) allows students to develop leadership skills which will prepare you to collaborate professionally with physicians and other members of a health care team.
What skills do nurses have?
Nursing majors develop skills in patient assessment, hands-on nursing care in a variety of patient-care settings, and nursing leadership. Nurses are also patient, skilled, detail-orientated, flexible and compassionate people.
Will my education include clinicals or internships?
Nursing students participate in a wide-variety of clinical experiences while pursuing their nursing degree. Clinical experiences may include hands-on work in a variety of hospital and community-based health care settings. Students have many opportunities to develop patient-care skills. Examples include working with adults, children, new mothers and newborns, and individuals experiencing mental health concerns. Nursing students may qualify and apply for a variety of community internship options within their own local communities. Clinical fieldwork all four years and pre-professional opportunities prepare students for nursing careers.
What types of courses are required?
BSN coursework provides knowledge and skills in public and community health, health care policy and disease prevention, leadership and management. Courses are designed to help students earn a licensure as a registered nurse. This enables them to get into the medical field upon graduation. Nursing courses include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, chemistry, microbiology and psychology, as well as courses focused on nursing care of specific patient groups and pharmacology. Speak with an advisor from your school to learn more about the specific courses required for graduation.
Positive about your future in nursing? Learn more about declaring your major!
What career opportunities will I have?
Earning a nursing degree can lead to a variety of career options, such as work in hospitals, community health settings, physician offices, specialty medical clinics, or even as a health advisor for a health insurance provider. Overall, pursuing an advanced nursing degree following your BSN education could lead to practice as a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
At Bluffton University…
Bluffton’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE is the nation’s leading accrediting agency for nursing programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and residency levels.
The four-year, dual-degree, dual-entry program is offered in collaboration with Rhodes State College. Additionally, each student has an advisor dedicated to their success who provides mentorship throughout the rigorous academic program.
Written by Kaylee Rauch ’26, public relations student assistant and Sherri Winegardner, director and associate professor of nursing