Why Healthcare Delivery Depends on BSN-Prepared Nurses
| 6 Min Read
With an aging population, ongoing nurse retirements and expanding healthcare needs, registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree are in higher demand than ever. Whether you earned your RN through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or an associate of science in nursing (ASN), Benedictine University’s CCNE-accredited online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to fit your schedule. Working nurses can complete the program in as few as 14 months, depending on the course you take, while continuing to work full time — studying when and where they prefer, without commuting to campus.
According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 73% of RNs now hold a baccalaureate degree or higher — the highest educational level ever documented in the survey’s history. Nurses are pursuing the BSN to gain greater access to specialized roles, leadership opportunities, higher earning potential and a deeper commitment to patient care.
How BSN-Prepared Nurses Help Deliver Quality Healthcare
Research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) shows that hospitals with a higher proportion of BSN-prepared nurses experience lower patient mortality rates, reduced readmissions and fewer complications. BSN education equips nurses with the clinical skills, research literacy and leadership foundation needed to provide a higher level of care across a wide range of settings — from hospitals and outpatient clinics to community health organizations.
BSN programs build on foundational nursing skills to include research and evidence-based practice, clinical judgement, leadership, informatics, quality and safety, and care of populations. This preparation allows nurses to advance their knowledge to function in a variety of roles. Courses like Nursing’s Role in Systems-Based Practice prepare nurses to see beyond individual patient encounters and understand how care delivery environments shape outcomes at scale.
How Nurses Implement Patient-Centered Care
One critical role of the nurse is to actively engage with the patient and family. Person-centered care allows the nurse to provide care during illness as well as teach the patient how to independently manage their own disease process, health and wellness. Nurses focus on cultural needs, health literacy, and social needs.
Nurses with strong interpersonal and communication skills who deliver compassionate support play a crucial role in helping patients feel more confident in their care, thereby contributing to better outcomes. BSN-prepared nurses — including those who advance through ADN-to-BSN completion programs — engage with the interprofessional team to ensure the best outcome for the patients, even beyond the hospital admission.
How Does Evidence-Based Practice Improve Patient Safety?
Evidence-based practice in nursing is one of the most significant outcomes of BSN-level education. By grounding clinical decisions in current research, validated protocols and measurable data, BSN-prepared nurses reduce the risk of errors, minimize adverse outcomes and actively improve care quality. Rather than relying on tradition, colleagues’ anecdotal advice or personal habit, nurses trained in evidence-based practice continually update their clinical approach based on the best available evidence.
The application of evidence-based practice in nursing extends to patient safety systems, medication management and infection prevention. Nurses who complete courses like Professional Collaboration for Safe and Quality Care develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate care protocols, recommend improvements and lead quality initiatives within their organizations. This commitment to research-informed practice is a central reason why hospitals increasingly prefer — and many now require — BSN-prepared nurses on their teams.
Why Does Interprofessional Collaboration and Health Policy Matter?
Approaching patient care from a team-based perspective ensures that patients receive holistic, coordinated support. When healthcare professionals from different disciplines work together alongside patients, families and communities, care quality improves across the board. Nursing interprofessional collaboration is not simply a best practice — it is central to safe, efficient care delivery. BSN-prepared nurses are equipped to coordinate with physicians, technologists, researchers and administrators, serving as the “connective tissue” of patient-centered care teams.
As healthcare professionals who are consistently present throughout a patient’s care continuum, nurses are uniquely positioned to identify systemic gaps before they escalate into larger problems. According to the AACN, numerous national and global reports call on nurses to lead policy changes in clinical and public health settings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects registered nursing employment to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than the average for all occupations — reflecting the sustained demand for nurses who can deliver excellent care and drive improvements at the organizational level.
BSN vs. RN Salary: What Nurses Can Earn
Education level is one of the most consistent predictors of earning potential in nursing. A BSN degree opens the door to leadership, management and specialized clinical roles that typically command higher salaries than entry-level RN positions. In Illinois, registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $88,947, while nursing managers earn $99,503 per year, with a high of $145,353.
BSN salaries reflect the expanded scope of responsibility that baccalaureate-prepared nurses assume. Leadership positions, quality improvement roles and advanced clinical specialties are generally reserved for nurses who hold a BSN or higher. For ADN- and ASN-prepared RNs in Illinois and beyond, completing an online RN-to-BSN program is one of the most direct paths to higher-paying positions and long-term career advancement.
Earn Your BSN at Benedictine University
Benedictine University’s online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses in Illinois and across the country with the knowledge, skills and confidence to advance their careers in high-demand healthcare areas. Regardless of your clinical focus, the program’s CCNE-accredited curriculum provides a rigorous foundation grounded in real-world application.
Working nurses can complete the 34-credit program in as few as 14 months through asynchronous eight-week courses designed to accommodate full-time schedules. The curriculum aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Domains and Competencies to ensure that nurses are prepared to meet today’s healthcare challenges with confidence. ADN- and ASN-prepared RNs are welcome to apply, and no application fee is required.
Learn more about Benedictine University’s online RN to BSN program.
About Benedictine University’s Online RN to BSN Program
Benedictine University offers a CCNE-accredited online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that can be completed in as few as 14 months. The 34-credit program is designed to fit the schedules of working nurses, with asynchronous eight-week courses that offer flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor.
Upon earning the BSN, graduates may be eligible to continue their education in Benedictine University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and receive proficiency credit for two of the MSN program foundation course. For nurses ready to take the next step in their education and career, Benedictine’s online RN to BSN program offers a flexible, accredited path forward for nurses ready to advance.