Online RN to BSN Allows an RN to Never Stop Learning
By Steve Valley
One of the major reasons working professionals continue their college education is to acquire the latest technologies and theories to help them improve their daily job performance. The ultimate goal for many adult learners is to apply what they have learned in the classroom directly to their workplace, which could lead to promotions and wider corporate recognition by superiors.
Sue Boggler, a registered nurse (RN) working for the Pinewood Sanitary District in Flagstaff, Arizona, has brought this scenario to another level. After being an RN for 21 years, Sue recently began taking classes in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Jacksonville University’s Online RN-to-BSN Degree Program, one of the largest online nursing programs in the country.
What happened next is a classic case of applying what is learned in class directly to the workplace. Sue decided to select one of her co-workers to complete a homework assignment that called for her to perform a complete health assessment on an individual. “I had a couple of volunteers, but this one guy in particular, I thought, well he’s pretty healthy, he’s pretty hardy and I thought that it would be easy to complete the assessment,” noted Boggler.
While performing an oral inspection, which involves examining the mouth and pharyngeal area, she noticed some white patches at the base, on the left side of his tongue, on his gum line and on the inside of the gum. The patient had a history of using tobacco products.
“When I first examined him I thought he just had to brush his teeth. But because of the course text and what I had learned in class, I looked at it a little closer and realized that it was really abnormal. I suspected that it might be leucoplakia, which is a precursor to oral cancer,” said Boggler. Not wanting to alarm the man, after finishing the assessment, she recommended that he see his dentist right away.
“We discussed my findings and he thought that all he needed was a good cleaning. I called a local dentist and he agreed to see the new patient the following Monday. As soon as the dentist examined him, he immediately referred him to a surgeon. We don’t know what the end result is, but we do know it was leucoplakia,” Boggler said.
As an RN with over two decades of experience, Sue Boggler thought that there was not much more to learn. “If anything, the Jacksonville University Online RN-to-BSN Degree Program has taught me that I have a great deal to learn. There is never enough continuing education and professional education that can compensate for that need.”
Jacksonville University’s Online RN-to-BSN Degree program gives nursing professionals the opportunity to continue their careers while they pursue higher education- working at their own pace without disrupting their busy schedules and family commitments. Students set their own hours and attend class in the comfort of their home or workplace, whenever it is convenient for them. No on-campus attendance is required.
The online RN-to-BSN Degree program focuses on sharpening nurses’ critical thinking skills, providing them with the conceptual and theory base necessary for good decision making, introducing nursing research and strengthening their liberal arts background. Nurses’ benefit because earning their BSN can offer better career opportunities within their workplace, and the online program creates a work-life balance that is essential for today’s professional nursing force.
As a Jacksonville University online student, Sue Boggler logs onto an Internet “classroom” for her lectures. Every course is designed using the very latest technology to give Boggler the “digital tools” she needs to enhance her educational experience. These tools include on-demand video streamed lectures that allow Boggler to view the lectures as many times as she needs; an asynchronous online bulletin board that permits Sue and her professor to interact on key topics and chat rooms that are used by instructors to host “virtual” office hours where Sue and other students can collaborate real-time with faculty members. No on-campus attendance is required.
Boggler plans on taking the certification exam for occupational health nursing in the future, and in order to prepare herself appropriately, she decided to seek additional educational opportunities. “There is a difference nowadays between being a technically competent nurse and a professional nurse,” said Boggler. “There are a lot of things that weren’t covered when I was in school years ago.”
The National League for Nursing is recommending that an accredited BSN Degree be the entry-level degree for nurses. Many nursing employment opportunities in fact state that a BSN Degree is a prerequisite for some of the better jobs within the medical profession.
“With a BSN, there are far more opportunities to nurses today. You need the additional education to open up the door for those opportunities,” said Boggler. “I encourage anybody who would be interested in learning more about their profession and earning their BSN that they take classes through Jacksonville University, because they have been outstanding.”
