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Archives for July 2023

8 Answers to Your Biggest Questions About RN to BSN Programs

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Are you looking to make a change in your nursing career—a different setting, more flexible schedule or a role in management? Now is the time to consider turning your associate degree in nursing (ADN) into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Nursing occupations are expected to experience the largest growth of all jobs, with about 203,200 jobs for registered nurses expected to open over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. RNs were also listed No. 1 on the Top 25 High-Paying In-Demand Jobs list from Indeed.com. 

A BSN can help you maximize your earning potential and job opportunities. According to Indeed.com, many healthcare organizations prefer to hire nurses with a BSN, and those nurses are more likely to earn promotions and receive greater responsibility throughout their careers. You can also work in almost any area of the country – rural or urban, nurses are in need everywhere. 

While pursuing a BSN seems like a smart choice, you may still have plenty of questions about the process. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often about the online UW-Milwaukee RN to BSN program offered through the UW Flexible Option.

What will a BSN do for my career potential?

Depending on your current job situation, the benefits of earning your BSN can range from improved job security, career advancement and higher earning potential.

Abigail Sincoular, who is working on her BSN through UW Flexible Option, enjoys the nursing field because of the flexibility it offers. “If you want to try something else, you can do that,” she says. “I’ve known so many nurses who have moved and worked in a variety of areas.” Once she finishes her degree, Abigail hopes to pursue a graduate degree to become a nurse practitioner and teach nursing. 

By earning your BSN, you’re more likely to qualify for managerial roles in a variety of healthcare settings such as:

  • Nurse manager
  • Nurse educator
  • Head nurse
  • Department chief
  • Administrative manager
  • Clinical nurse manager

How will holding a BSN benefit my patients?

According to an American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) report, healthcare organizations that employ a higher ratio of BSN-holding professionals report lower mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and higher levels of patient satisfaction overall. Some nurses also say their education gave them a renewed perspective on their patients’ needs. Abigail notes that she benefited from the BSN program through UW Flexible Option because she learned about genetics, palliative care, and end-of-life care in her courses.

Is an RN to BSN program worth it financially?

Yes! Salary profile database Payscale reports that nurses with a BSN can make an average base salary of $92,000 annually, compared with an average base salary of $75,000 for nurses with an ADN. While registered nurses with either an ADN or BSN may have similar starting salaries, the potential for advancement and higher pay is greater for those with a BSN.

Registered nurses are projected to experience 10% in job growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally, according to Lightcast. The median annual wage for registered nurses nationally in 2021 was $77,605, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What are the goals of the UW Flexible Option RN to BSN program?

The program provides licensed nurses with the skills and knowledge to deliver premium care in the ever-changing healthcare system. Led by the top-ranking University of Milwaukee School of Nursing, the program equips graduates with a deep understanding of biological and social sciences, community nursing, care management, leadership and management in nursing, healthcare technology, and research and evidence-based practice. The program curriculum is built upon competency-based education to promote professional development in communication, critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and leadership. The final course fosters competency in a capstone experience, where students apply what they’ve learned within their nursing practice and employment settings. 

The curriculum is built upon competency-based education to promote professional development in communication, critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and leadership. The final course fosters competency in a capstone experience, where students apply learning within their nursing practice and employment settings.

Do I qualify for the UW Flexible Option RN to BSN program?

The UW Flexible Option is especially designed for self-motivated, nontraditional students who want to leverage their previous schooling, work skills, and knowledge to advance more quickly toward their degree. This self-paced online nursing degree is ideal for students who:

  • Have an active unencumbered RN license OR currently enrolled in the last year of an ADN program (or prelicensured ADN student in last year)
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and graduated from an associate degree program in nursing or diploma program in nursing
  • Are motivated, disciplined self-starters who can work independently.

How much does the degree cost?

UW Flexible Option offers working adults a more affordable way to earn their BSN. Pay a flat rate for a subscription period of your choice.

A subscription period is a three-month span of time during which you are able to access learning materials, complete assessments, and receive academic support. You can choose from two subscription options.

  • All-You-Can-Learn Option: Choosing this option allows you to enroll in two or more competency (skill) courses. You may enroll in as many competency sets as you can successfully master within a three-month period. 

Single Competency Set Option: If you would like to study at a slower pace during a three-month subscription period, you may enroll in a single competency course.

Subscription options Term length Tuition Competency courses you can complete

All-You-Can-Learn

 3 months $2,250

2 or more
Single Course 3 months $1,125

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Tuition covers assessments and mentoring, but excludes the cost of books and other special materials that may be required for your program.

How long is the program?

Like most other RN to BSN programs, the UW Flexible Option degree totals 120 credits consisting of:

  • Approximately 60 lower-division undergraduate courses (typically acquired through an associate degree)
  • 30 upper-division nursing courses
  • 30 credits derived from practical/clinical training and equivalency exams

For most traditional programs, this course load typically takes approximately two years to complete. In UW Flexible Option, your timeline is up to you, and you may be able to earn your degree sooner than you think. Click here to read about one UW Flexible Option graduate who earned her BSN in under a year!

Can I pursue an RN to BSN while still working?

Going back to school for your bachelor’s degree in nursing can seem daunting, especially if you’re working hectic schedules and filling in for others due to staff shortages. But rest assured that the UW Flexible Option offers you the flexibility to complete your education when it’s convenient for you. You can also pause your subscription to the program when you need a break, or like Abigail, to enjoy major milestones like getting married or buying a home. The UW Flexible Option program fits into your life – not the other way around. If you have an ADN, keep in mind that credits transfer in and count toward part of your bachelor’s degree, literally lightening your credit load! 

If you think the UW Flexible Option RN to BSN program might be the right choice for your career, download the program guide now!

To find out more about UW Flexible Option, contact an enrollment adviser at 1-608-800-6762 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu. For a list of degree and certificate programs offered in the online Flexible Option format, please see the programs page.

Partner at Accounting and IT Firm Fulfills Personal Goal of Earning Degree in UW Flexible Option

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Michael Senkbeil’s first time taking classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was in the early ‘90s when he enrolled in the Computer Engineering program. Working in several technology-forward companies while in school, his college roommate introduced him to Chortek LLP, an accounting firm based in Milwaukee that focuses on small businesses and their owners.

At the time, Chortek was looking to expand from a traditional certified public accounting firm to add services supporting business use of information technology. In his more than twenty-five years with the business since then, Michael has played a significant role in Chortek’s growth and expansion into new services as a partner at the firm. 

Michael put his higher education pursuits on hold because he was focused on his career and raising a family. That said, earning a college degree remained a personal goal. He was excited to learn about UW-Milwaukee’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (IST) offered through UW Flexible Option.

“I’d already had a lot of success in growing a career, building a business, and doing the type of work I really, really enjoyed,” he said. “But I did have that one regret, that I wanted to complete that education, and I’m really happy that it was able to be done.”

The program is part of UW-Milwaukee’s School of Information Studies (SOIS), which has been a part of the online learning space for over twenty years. Michael says the 100 percent online bachelor’s degree program fit perfectly into his busy schedule, and being able to return to the same school where he began his undergraduate education was a special experience. 

“I’m encouraged by the fact that our traditional education system in Wisconsin is embracing this online approach and catering to the demographic like me who want to maintain a career and family life while making progress on education,” he said. “It’s a great combination there.” 

RELATED: What Can You Do with an Information Science and Technology Degree?

Flexibility at the Forefront

The UW Flexible Option IST bachelor’s degree is a competency-based program, meaning students learn at their own pace and enroll in 12-week subscription periods instead of traditional semesters. With the All-You-Can-Learn tuition model, there are no limits on the number of credits you can take, so Michael was able to complete as many courses as he wanted to during each subscription period—be it one course or several. With his pre-existing credits from UW-Milwaukee transferring seamlessly, he also entered this bachelor’s degree program with junior standing.

“It was time-efficient, cost-efficient,” he said. “The topics and the way I get to spend the time on the curriculum and on classwork were well worth the time as opposed to going back to a program just to get a degree that didn’t apply to what I was doing in my business or my career. It was a win-win.”

A professional photo of Michael Senkbeil wearing a suit while sitting at a table outside. While in the program, Michael championed the expansion of IT consulting services at Chortek’s new office in Washington, DC. Despite needing to commute from Wisconsin to DC for a full week each month, Michael made significant progress on his degree thanks to the UW Flexible Option. The firm has since divested of that office in order to focus on their southeastern Wisconsin home market.

“The competency-based design of learning at my own pace and sometimes four or five hours at night after work, and being able to make a lot of progress several days during the week allowed me to still have a life outside of school and work,” he said.

The online learning format helped Michael maintain a work-life balance and still have time for hobbies. This includes spending his winters as a certified National Ski Patroller at the Ausblick Ski Club in Sussex, Wisconsin, where he serves on the board of directors. Michael also enjoys time on the golf course with his wife, Virginia. Her support during the UW Flexible Option program was critical to ultimate success.

RELATED: Network Engineer Earns IT Degree by Completing 51 Credits in 9 Months

Coursework That Complements Career Work

At Chortek, Michael leads the managed IT services team that provides an outsourced IT department to businesses from ten to 250 users. Components of managed IT services include management advice, vendor management, and cybersecurity consulting. The firm’s focus on IT services has increased considerably throughout Michael’s tenure, as over one-third of Chortek’s revenue and personnel are now technology-oriented.

“Continually evolving the IT solutions to match the business needs is the name of the game,” he said. “We have a great team which delivers that, and I’m definitely having more fun than I’ve ever had in my career as we continue to grow.”

Michael says course materials in the IST program matched up nicely with his responsibilities at the firm, and he’s been able to take much of what he’s learned and apply it directly to his work. Courses on the business software system selection process have improved his ability to collaborate, while courses on cybersecurity provided a solid framework for expanding his knowledge of the field. 

After completing the UW Flexible Option program with a 4.0 GPA, Michael has used the new skills he’s acquired to further support his team at Chortek, including one of his employees who is enrolled in the UW Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

“It’s great to have had that experience, to be able to work on a capstone project with this team member,” he said. “It’s come full circle pretty nicely.”

Both Michael and Chortek are proponents of the UW System. He and a colleague (who happens to be his former college roommate) have shown support for nonprof-IT, a program through UW-Milwaukee that offers students real-world experience by assisting local nonprofit organizations with website redesign, social media campaigns, and technology assessment. They watched students give their final presentations last year and are interested in continuing to serve as mentors for upcoming semesters. 

If you’re considering the online IST program to further your education and IT expertise, Michael’s biggest piece of advice is to form connections while working toward and completing your degree: 

“The program is a very efficient way of getting the course knowledge and experience that you need to earn your degree, but make sure not to underestimate the value of networking with the colleagues, businesses, and organizations that you interact with in real life after having your degree. The academic knowledge is important, but so are the experiential and social connections that you need to build during your education.”

Are you ready to earn your Information Science and Technology degree on your own schedule? Call an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or email at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to get more information.