Northwest Missouri State University’s School of Health Science and Wellness will begin a program in August to help registered nurses continue their educational journey.

Director of Nursing at Northwest Brook McAtee said the program will allow registered nurses who have earned their associate degree to continue with their education by earning a bachelor’s degree.

“A few years ago, in 2010, the Institute of Medicine came out and said, basically, we want 80% of our nursing workforce at a bachelor’s degree level or higher,” McAtee said. “So Northwest has been looking at that and thought, ‘Well, what better way to answer their call than to come back and provide a fully online RN to BSN program for those working nurses.’”

McAtee said there are a few factors behind implementing the RN to BSN program, including the need for building leadership traits and for being at the front of research in nursing. McAtee also said, in the long run, nurses who earn their bachelor’s degree will make about $8,000 to $10,000 more a year.

McAtee said along with the 30 credit hours of nursing coursework, a bachelor’s degree in nursing must have clinical components.

“We’re looking for some clinical partners to help us with that… but nurses can actually utilize those clinical areas where they work so that’s another benefit of doing fully online and being able to use those places they work to help with that supplement,” McAtee said.

More information about the RN to BSN program can be found on Northwest’s website.