< Previous18 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com transferred benefit if you’re a spouse or child of a veteran or active-duty military personnel. If you’re a reservist, look into the Mont- gomery GI Bill Selected Reserve to assess your eligibility. And if you’re a survivor or depend- ent, check out the two funding sources that are available: the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Edu- cational Assistance program and the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. (To learn more about veteran’s education ben- efits, visit myamericannurse.com/?p=67381.) Personal assets Most nurses don’t have several thousand dol- lars sitting in their bank accounts, so how can you come up with some ready cash? One op- tion is to sell unused items—such as a motor- cycle, snowmobile, jet ski, camper, boat, an- tiques, or jewelry—that are taking up space at home. Renting space—in your garage or home—is another creative idea. However, re- member that rental payments are considered taxable income. Other possibilities include using inheritance money or asking if a family member wants to support your educational goals. For tax pur- poses, investigate the limitations on gifts to an individual. If you dread the thought of being in debt, you may want to consider saving up for col- lege before applying. Many people don’t have the patience or self-control to do this, but it might be the right move for you. 5 On your way Tackling the cost of college can be a challenge, but with some time and ef- fort, you’ll find many resources to help you reach your goals. Spend some time research- ing the options and soon you’ll be on your way to your next degree. For additional resources, visit myamericanurse.com/?p=67381. Debra A. Wolff is president/chief executive officer of Nurses – Ready for the Next Step, author of Advancing Your Nursing Degree: The Experienced Nurse’s Guide to Returning to School, and an adjunct professor of nursing at SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, New York. References Tanabe G, Tanabe K. How to Write a Winning Scholar- ship Essay: 30 Essays That Won Over $3 Million in Schol- arships. 7th ed. Belmont, CA: SuperCollege, LLC; 2018. Tanabe G, Tanabe K. The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2020: Billions of Dollars in Scholarships, Grants and Prizes. Belmont, CA: SuperCollege, LLC; 2019. 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Loan options A loan is another option for paying school costs. Here are some resources to help you determine what’s best for you: •The U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Office (studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/federal-loan-programs.pdf) offers a handout on all federal loan programs. •The U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/flrp) administers a Faculty Loan Repayment program. •The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (ed.gov/programs/ wdffdl/eligibility.html) offers four types of federal loans: •Direct subsidized •Direct unsubsidized •Direct PLUS loan •Direct consolidation •If you’re thinking about a personal or private loan, talk with your financial advisor. Look into grants Grants, which typically don’t have to be paid back, are available from a number of sources. Eligibility criteria vary, so review the requirements carefully. •Health Resources & Services Administration offers nursing grants for students who are preparing to be educators, advanced practice nurses, or administrators. bhw.hrsa.gov/grants/nursing •U.S. Department of Education Federal Pell Grants are awarded to all eligible undergraduate students who don’t have a bachelor’s degree. ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html •Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for under- graduate students with exceptional financial need. These grants are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/fseog •State grants are available to residents. Eligibility varies by state. collegescholarships.org/grants/state.htm MyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 19 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide The new normal: Nurses as innovators Nurses are leading the way to healthcare’s future. By Catherine Spader, RN D id you know that the crash cart, feed- ing tube, pediatric pain scale, and neonatal phototherapy were all invent- ed by nurses? Nurses always have been inno- vators, and now is the time for them to for- malize and systematize their ideas to help transform healthcare. “The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating innovation, and we will see the empower- ment of nurses as innovators in this new era,” says Ryan J. Shaw, PhD, RN, associate professor and director of the Health Innova- tion Lab at Duke University School of Nurs- ing in Durham, NC. Doors are opening for nurses with inno- vation expertise who can develop, test, and implement new and improved products and processes to promote health and deliver opti- mal care. This includes spearheading effective new solutions for health inequity, streamlining work processes, and improving the patient experience. Nurse innovators step up to COVID-19 At Duke University, RNs, nurse practitioners (NPs), and student nurses are making a timely impact in the fight against COVID-19 through the use of the Duke Health Innovation Lab. When the pandemic accelerated in North Car- olina, a group of nurses, nursing students, physicians, and engineers formed the COVID- 19 Design Engineering Team. The team iden- tified some of the most pressing pandemic challenges, such as the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and brainstormed solutions. Then they collaborated to develop and build prototypes of new healthcare prod- ucts and delivery processes. In one project, the engineers used a 3D printer to create face shields for healthcare workers. Then 24 RNs, NPs, and physicians with intensive care unit (ICU) training tested them in the lab to produce data that the engi- neers used to improve the design. “We need- ed to evaluate the prototype quickly, so we could develop the next version as soon as possible,” Shaw says. “The lab allowed us to accelerate testing and helped to promote a better product.” The face shields were put into clinical use in April 2020 at Duke University Health System. The team also launched telepresence robots in one of the ICUs at Duke’s hospitals. The ro- bots allow staff to have a virtual audio and video presence with patients from outside their rooms. Robots consist of iPads on wheels that are operated by staff remotely from a computer. “It’s a supplement to physically going into a patient’s room and fosters more communication without having to don PPE,” Shaw says. “It also reduces exposure to healthcare workers and minimizes use of critically needed supplies.” Shaw believes the COVID-19 pandemic has been a big impetus to develop telepresence robots, which have potential in many other settings, such as in primary care practices and home care. “We are moving into a new nor- mal with innovative ways to deliver health- care, including a new era of providing tele- health, and nursing will be a big part of that innovation,” Shaw says. Nursing innovation opportunities abound Doors are opening for innovative nurses to lead as entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses and as intrapreneurs who want to pioneer change in their workplaces and throughout healthcare, according to Tiffany Kelley, PhD, MBA, RN, DeLuca Foundation Visiting Professor for Innovation and New 2020-2021 Education and Career GuideMyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 21 Knowledge at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in Storrs. “If there was ever a time that we need to think innovatively and share those ideas, that time is now,” she says. Roles are emerging in healthcare systems and private industry for nursing innovation specialists and officers. Innovation skills are essential for nurses in healthcare leadership roles, and private industry also is looking for nurses with innovation expertise. For ex- ample, pharmacies can benefit from adding healthcare innovators to their strategic vi- sion. This includes reimagining how con- sumers can receive their medications, such as innovative ways to address transportation barriers. Public and private companies and govern- ment agencies also need nurses with innova- tion and information technology expertise. These include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of the Na- tional Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). ONC employs innovative nurses and healthcare professionals to work on key issues related to electronic health in- formation exchange and interoperability in the evolving nationwide system. Large technology companies also are engaged in healthcare chal- lenges, from cloud-based architecture, such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, to Uber Health, which provides rides to health- care appointments. “Innovation is about problem solving to address unmet needs and make a positive im- pact for a large volume of people,” says Kel- ley, who also is founder/chief executive offi- cer of Nightingale Apps (which is working to provide mobile apps to hospital nurses) and iCare Nursing Solutions (which provides health - care informatics consulting). “Innovation is fundamental to nurses’ everyday practice, and there is demand for nurses who can expand that fundamental skill from one nurse’s ‘work - around’ idea to large-scale solutions that can effectively address local, national, and even global challenges.” For information about getting the education you need for a career in nursing innovation, read the education article on page 4. Catherine Spader is an author and healthcare writer based in Little- ton, Colorado. 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL DEGREES • World-class education in one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation. • U.S. News and World Reports ranked graduate and online programs. • State-of-the-art simulation learning center. • World-renowned faculty experts in nursing serving local, national and international communities. Programs • Master’s in Advanced Population Health Nursing • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Organizational Leadership specialties • PhD in Nursing22 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com M any career advancement tools and techniques are available, but they need to be used with conscious inten- tion, curiosity, and diligent effort. If you’ve been a nurse who essentially coasts on the winds of happenstance—or if you’ve focused on a path suggested by others who think they know what’s best for you—now is the time to seize the day (carpe diem). When you take your career reins, you use your powers of critical thinking to dive deep - ly into your strengths, weaknesses, desires, and opportunities. You may need to rule out career paths that have no appeal (knowing what you don’t want is as important as identi- fying what you do want) and think beyond limitations imposed by others. As a midcareer nurse, the world is ostensibly your oyster if you have the temerity and ambi- tion to seek your chosen path. And if “carpe diem” becomes your rallying cry, the pearl in the oyster will likely reveal itself in time. 1 Reflect on your journey so far Some people enter nursing with an ink - ling of what they might want but have doubts about what the best choice is. Many new grads find that what lit their fire during school no longer provides inspiration. Instead, new interests may emerge that super- sede what previously seemed a promising path. Take the time to reflect on where you started, the career you’ve pursued so far, and what you envision for your future. (See Ques- tion yourself.) 2 Perform a SWOT analysis Knowing your strengths and weak- nesses is crucial to making the most of your career. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is a simple but useful self-reflection technique. SWOT is most commonly used in business, but it can be applied to any situation requir- ing critical thinking and a bird’s-eye view. The following questions can help you formulate your own SWOT analysis. 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Midcareer nursing advancement Reflect, be objective, and tap into your network. By Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BCMyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 23 Strengths •What activities do you excel at and enjoy? •What relevant knowledge, experience, or capability do you bring to your current role or to a role you wish to pursue? •What are your main strengths, passions, and interests? •What would trusted colleagues identify as your strengths? •Which strengths are required for success in the roles you may pursue? Weaknesses •In what areas could you improve? •What are your perceived limitations? •Which tasks or activities are in apparent conflict with your natural style? •What would others say are your weaknesses? •What tasks or responsibilities do you gen- erally dread or avoid, and why? Opportunities •How can you turn your strengths into op- portunities? •What new knowledge or experiences could address your weaknesses? •What resources could increase your capaci- ty to take inspired action? •How can you leverage your personal and professional networks? •Who makes up your “brain trust” of friends, colleagues, family members, peers, and mentors? •Who do you most admire, respect, and hope to emulate? •What data can you access about projected job growth and opportunities in your areas of interest? Threats •What perceived or known trends might hinder you? •To what threats do your weaknesses ex- pose you? •Are forces at play that you may not be able to control or overcome? •What risks might you be taking in the pur- suit of your interests, passions, and goals? •Are the biggest threats external or internal? You can learn a lot by periodically engaging in this process and tracking the experience. Keep copies of your SWOT analyses so you can compare and contrast them over time. You can down load the SWOT analysis online at myamericannurse.com/?p=67514 . 3 Access your personal brain trust Your professional and personal net- works are your very own brain trust. Focusing on creating and nurturing valuable collegial relationships throughout your career is a smart use of your time and energy. Use some of these strategies to ensure networking success. •Attend local, regional, and state nursing or- ganization meetings. •Become an active member of several or- ganizations or associations. •Attend national and international confer- ences related to your interests. •Volunteer and participate in community service. •Leverage networking tools, especially Linked - In, to meet like-minded professionals. •Use social media (Instagram, Twitter, Face- book, etc.) to connect with thought leaders in your areas of interest. •Nurture relationships with nurse colleagues in your specialty and other areas that interest you, as well as specialists and thought lead- ers in the wider nursing community. (See Building a network .) 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Question yourself Reflecting on what prompted your entry into nursing and how you’ve changed and grown personally and professionally can help you develop plans for the future you want. • What initially drew me to nursing? • Have I fulfilled my initial desires and goals? • What obstacles have I overcome, and what have I learned about myself? • Is there something I previously wanted that no longer seems alluring? • Do I have new areas of interest? • Am I satisfied with what I’ve accomplished? • What do I really want from my career? • Have I had an opportunity to discover what my personal mission in life might be? • How does my workstyle mesh with my desired lifestyle? • How does this career impact my family or my plans for a family? • How can I have more of what I want in my life and career? • How do I proactively make my career happen rather than just let- ting it happen to me? • What are key strategies to propel me forward and measure my success?24 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com •Be a giver in your professional relationships. People respond more pos- itively to peers and colleagues who are generous with their time, ener- gy, and attention. •Be authentic and transparent (to your comfort level) in your profession- al relationships to build rapport and feel connected. For example, an emergency department nurse who feels burned out reaches out to a colleague who works in an ambulatory care center and shares how her current situation is affecting her personal happiness, making it clear that she’s looking for an opportunity to rediscover her joy of nursing. This small amount of transparency can elicit empathy from the listener and lead to a more authentic connection. Tying it all together Your career is a moving target. Resting on your laurels and ignoring the po- tential for growth is a recipe for boredom or burnout, so dedicate yourself to learning and development. A satisfying career is fed by work-life balance. A nurse who knows how to work hard, play hard, and rest hard understands that a satisfying personal life is crucial to true professional success. To paraphrase John Lennon, life essentially is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Allowing for serendipity and personal and professional evolution is central to your ultimate success. If you’re a midcareer nurse in search of your next chapter, a deep look within is a powerful place to begin, whether or not you use a SWOT analysis or other tool. Socrates is thought to be the first philoso- pher to have advised his fellow humans to “know thyself.” If you’re will- ing to boldly look in the mirror and assess what you see using critical thinking, relative objectivity, and self-compassion, you’re already on your way. You can indeed make bold choices to create an exciting future as a nurse. Evolution can’t happen without some risk (and a little trial and er- ror). If you’re willing to dive deep, your courage will be rewarded with an abundance of personal and professional treasures. Keith Carlson is a holistic career coach for nurses, award-winning nurse blogger, writer, podcaster, speaker, and author (nursekeith.com). He also is a Nurse Influencer for American Nurse Journal. 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Your advanced expertise, skills, and knowledge are needed. Gain the skills and experience to become an effective leader and outstanding practitioner. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN Master of Science in Nursing Community/Public Health Nursing Health Services Leadership and Management Nursing Informatics Doctor of Nursing Practice 8 APRN specialties with post-bachelor’s, post-master’s, and post-doctoral pathways PhD Graduate Certificates NOW MORE THAN EVER Learn more: nursing.umaryland.edu/ explore ON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AMON-ANT-2020-Ad-2.125x9.75-v2.indd 14/16/20 10:11 AM Building a network You network should be deep, well rounded, and include nurses, physicians, edu- cators, allied health professionals, healthcare executives and leaders, researchers, and those outside of healthcare (such as lawyers, writers, journalists, and scien- tists). A deep network provides you with the wherewithal to dig into it when you need it most in a variety of personal and professional circumstances. Use phone, video chats, email, and in-person meetings when possible. Connections through- out the country and around the world can lead to surprising and satisfying sit- uations (for example, traveling to Europe on vacation and having lunch with a Swiss nurse researcher you met on LinkedIn or seeking a job in another state and tapping your network for introductions, which leads to making a new friend who connects you with her hiring manager). The places you can go with a BSN Answering why, what, and where can enhance your chances for success. By Mary E. Fortier, EdD, RN, CNL 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide C ongratulations, you’ve passed the NCLEX-RN exam and can proudly in- clude RN after your name. The edu - cation you received to earn your associate degree in nursing (ADN) prepared you to practice bedside nursing, but now you want to continue your education and get a bache- lor’s of science in nursing (BSN). First you need to answer some important questions: Why do you want to obtain a BSN and what will you gain? Where will you go to school? Why and what Nurses pursue a BSN for many reasons. What’s yours? Do you want to broaden your horizons and opportunities? Are you hoping to seek other employment options? Whatever your initial motivation, a BSN edu- cation will provide you with competencies— critical thinking, communication, and leader- ship—that will enhance your knowledge base, assessment skills, interdisciplinary perspective, and writing and research skills. It will build on your ADN foundation to broaden your scope of practice, deepen your understanding of issues that affect patient care and the healthcare sys- tem, and enrich your professional development. A BSN also may open doors that currently are closed to you. Nursing administrators prefer nurses with BSNs because research shows that the care these nurses provide leads to better patient outcomes. Employers see a BSN as a stepping stone to leadership positions. Health- care’s focus on primary and preventive care means nurses with a BSN are well prepared to practice in settings outside the hospital (in schools and clinics, case management, and in community, occupational, and public health). These settings require skills—including provid- ing evidence-based patient education and lead- ing interdisciplinary teams—that can be ac- quired only with at least a BSN education. And as you look to the future, you’ll need a BSN to pursue graduate nursing education. Where Understanding the benefits of a BSN is only one part of the equation. The other is choos- ing the right program for you. What do you need to consider before selecting an RN-to- BSN program? Start by finding out the entry requirements for the programs you’re inter- ested in. Many require students to have an active, unencumbered RN license, although some programs allow new graduates to take a few courses (usually health assessment or professional development) before they pass the NCLEX-RN. You’ll also want to consider whether you want to be a full-time or part-time student and how you’ll balance family, career, and school- ing. Depending on your previous academic record and program requirements, the length of study can be anywhere from 1 to 2 years. Many ADN programs have articulation agree- ments with 4-year nursing schools that provide a seamless transfer into the BSN program. Online, in-person, or hybrid RN-to-BSN programs can be offered in an online- only, in-person only, or a combination (hybrid) format. Some online and hybrid program classes are synchronized (they’re at the same time each 26 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE MyAmericanNurse.com Employer assistance Does your employer have a tuition-reimburse- ment plan? If so, get more details and ask these questions: •Is reimbursement full or partial? •Does it include books and fees? •Will reimbursement be contingent on my grades or grade point average? •Will I have to sign an employment commit- ment agreement after graduation in ex- change for tuition? MyAmericanNurse.com June 2020 American Nurse Journal • 2020-2021 E DUCATION AND C AREER G UIDE 27 week) and some are asynchronized (you work at your own pace and according to your own schedule). Before choosing a program, consider: •Are you a self-directed student? •Do you work well independently? •Can you navigate a web-based learning platform? •Are you comfortable with a virtual learning experience? If you answered yes to these questions, then you should be comfortable with an online or a hybrid program. However, if you answered no to any of them, a fully online program proba- bly isn’t for you, and a hybrid program will re- quire additional support in your first semester. Hybrid programs typically alternate 1 week in on-campus classes and 1 week in online classes. This format allows students to take up to three courses in a semester, so you’ll need to commit to approximately 15 hours per week for a three-credit course or 45 hours of study per week for three classes. Many RN-to-BSN programs use a hybrid format because it provides students with face- to-face interactions with faculty and mentors while allowing the convenience of attending some classes online. In the end, your educa- tional format choice depends on your individ- ual learning needs. Be methodical Take a methodical approach to making your education choice. Is the RN-to-BSN program you’re interested in accredited? How long has it been in existence? What’s its reputation? (Ask your colleagues if they’d recommend the pro- gram they attended.) How many of any previ- ous credits you have earned will transfer to the program? What’s the tuition? Create a bud - get that includes the cost of books, student and parking fees, laptop, computer programs, travel, and childcare, as needed. Speak to your employer about any financial help the organi- zation can offer. (See Employer assistance.) The places you’ll go So many questions can leave you feeling overwhelmed and insecure. Creating a pro- and-con list for each program you research can help, but you’ll also need to create a sup- port list of family, friends, and colleagues who will understand and encourage your academic adventure. (See Decision worksheet.) Through- out it all, keep in mind the places you’ll go and the doors you’ll open with your BSN. Mary E. Fortier is an assistant professor and the MSN program coordinator in the School of Nursing at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. References American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The impact of education on nursing practice. April 2019. aacnnurs- ing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/impact-of-education Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. The Future of Nursing: Leading the Change, Advancing Health. Washington DC: National Academies Press; 2011. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209880 2020-2021 Education and Career Guide Decision worksheet Use this worksheet to compare RN-to-BSN programs and help you find one that meets your learning goals and preferred learning style. You can complete this online at myamericannurse.com/?p=67430. Affirmation/goal: I’m going to earn my bachelor of science in nurs- ing (BSN). My preferred learning style: _____ Traditional classroom/face-to-face _____ Virtual/online _____ Hybrid (mix of classroom and virtual) Universities options: #1 university name:___________ Contact information:___________ Prerequisites: ____ RN license (unencumbered) ____ Prerequisite courses: ______, _______, ________, ________ ____ Number of transferable credits ____ Number of credits needed to complete the BSN ____ Cost per credit ____ Financial aid available Program format: _____ Traditional classroom _____ Online _____ Hybrid #2 university name*:___________ Contact information:___________ Prerequisites: ____RN license (unencumbered) ____Prerequisite courses: ______, _______, ________, ________ ____Number of transferable credits ____Number of credits needed to complete the BSN ____Cost per credit ____Financial aid available Program format: _____Traditional classroom _____Online _____Hybrid Support resources willing to assist while I pursue my BSN: ________________________________________________________. *Repeat with any additional program options you're considering.Next >