Newman University releases career advancement information showing BSN-prepared nurses in Kansas earn $20,000 more annually than ADN holders and qualify for leadership roles increasingly required by employers statewide.
— Registered nurses in Kansas who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earn an average annual salary of $63,170, more than $20,000 above the $42,880 earned by those with an Associate Degree in Nursing, according to state workforce data. Healthcare employers across Kansas increasingly prefer BSN-prepared nurses for charge nurse positions, management roles, and specialized clinical assignments, reflecting a shift in hiring standards that prioritizes advanced critical thinking, research skills, and leadership competencies developed through baccalaureate curricula.
More information is available at https://newmanu.edu/academics/rn-to-bsn.
The Institute of Medicine recommended that 80 percent of licensed nurses hold BSN degrees or higher by 2020, a national goal that has shaped workforce development efforts. The Kansas Action Coalition actively promotes academic progression to increase the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses in the state. Magnet-designated hospitals and similar high-reputation systems now require BSNs for all nurse manager and leadership positions, and many expect associate-degree nurses to complete RN-to-BSN programs within a set timeframe after hire. A University of Kansas study found that ADN programs met only 42 of 109 baccalaureate outcomes, with notable gaps in leadership, policy, finance, interprofessional collaboration, and population health—competencies that employers increasingly demand as healthcare delivery grows more complex.
Newman University in Wichita has developed an RN-to-BSN completion program designed to address these workforce realities for practicing nurses. The fully online program allows working RNs to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 12 months at a reduced tuition rate of $250 per credit hour, removing common barriers of scheduling conflicts and cost. Newman’s nursing programs hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, establishing the institution’s credibility in preparing nurses who meet professional standards.
Graduates of Newman’s nursing programs demonstrate strong outcomes on national licensure exams and in career progression. For the year ending December 31, 2011, Newman nursing graduates achieved a 96.36 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, exceeding the Kansas average of 85.88 percent and the national average of 87.89 percent. Alumni who have completed Newman’s BSN program have passed their NCLEX exams and moved into specialized units such as neonatal intensive care, with some continuing into doctoral nursing programs—a trajectory from BSN completion into advanced practice and leadership pathways that many Kansas employers now expect.
Completion of a BSN opens concrete next steps for registered nurses seeking advancement. Charge nurse roles, unit management positions, and entry into Master of Science in Nursing or Nurse Practitioner programs all typically require or strongly prefer baccalaureate preparation, as do specialized clinical positions in public health, quality improvement, and nursing education. Newman’s resources map these pathways for Kansas RNs, providing information that clarifies how BSN credentials translate into measurable career opportunities within the state’s healthcare landscape.
Applications to Newman University’s RN-to-BSN program are open until August 1 for the fall cohort and January 1 for the spring cohort. Registered nurses interested in program details, application requirements, or questions about transferring credits can visit Newman’s RN-to-BSN program page or contact the School of Healthcare Professions directly. Resources are available to support Kansas nurses in making informed decisions about their professional development.
For more details, visit https://newmanu.edu/.
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89194751
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