Beyond the “Paper”: Inside Carlow’s RN to BSN Program 

Many nurses begin an RN to BSN program for a simple reason: their employer requires it. Hospitals and healthcare systems increasingly expect registered nurses with associate degrees or diplomas to earn a bachelor’s degree within a few years. For some, returning to school can feel like one more obligation on an already full schedule. 

Dr. Debra Lee, director of the RN to BSN program at Carlow University, has seen that mindset before. 

“I remember a student so very well who came in very sure that the program was just something they had to do to keep their job,” said Debra. “They wanted to do the hoops and get the paper.” 

At the time, the nurse expected the experience to be straightforward: complete the assignments, earn the degree, and move on. But Debra saw something change along the way. “Through the course of the program, that student became one of our strongest advocates,” she said. “What they learned was so much more than ‘I get to keep my job.’ They started thinking differently about patient problems and realized they had more resources to offer than they ever thought.” 

A Mission That Resonates

Debra came to Carlow through both professional reputation and personal connection. While working at another institution, she had colleagues who completed Carlow’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program and spoke enthusiastically about their experience. 

“They loved the people they were working with and the quality of the program,” she said. “Knowing their standards were very high, I knew if they were recommending it, the program and the institution were high quality.” When she later explored opportunities in nursing education, the fit quickly became clear. “The more I got to know the people here, the more I knew this was the best place for me. The values resonate with me so clearly.” 

Those values are rooted in Carlow’s heritage as a Mercy institution, where service and compassion are central to education. In nursing, Debra believes that tradition has particular importance. 

“The integration of the Sisters of Mercy values, the focus on community service, and understanding the social determinants of health are really important parts of what makes Carlow unique,” she said. “When nurses strengthen their ability to work well with people from all walks of life, they’re going to make better connections with their patients. And that’s why most people go into nursing in the first place.” 

Building on Experience 

Unlike traditional undergraduate nursing programs, Carlow’s RN to BSN program is designed specifically for nurses who are already practicing. So, instead of focusing on the fundamentals of patient care, the RN to BSN curriculum emphasizes leadership, community and population health, and professional development. Students also complete a capstone project that allows them to explore a real-world issue connected to their work. 

“It’s about helping nurses think deeper and more creatively about problem solving,” said Debra. “They already have the clinical skills. What we help them do is look at patient situations in a broader way and understand their role within the healthcare team.” One of the most important outcomes, she says, is confidence. “In the program, nurses begin to find their voice as professional nurses. That’s incredibly important for standing up for your patients, advocating for them, and making sure they have someone speaking for them when they need it.” 

Learning While Life Continues 

Returning to school can be challenging for working professionals, especially nurses whose schedules often include long shifts and family responsibilities. Many RN to BSN students are balancing several roles at once. 

“They probably have anywhere from two to five very full spinning plates,” Dr. Lee said. “They’re working full-time, raising families, managing their households, and then they add school to the mix.” 

Carlow’s fully online format helps make that balancing act possible. “When the program is online, students can work on assignments when they have the time. They don’t have to fight traffic to get to campus or find parking after a long shift.” Faculty also understand the realities their students face. “We know that sometimes the only time a nurse has to work on school is late at night or early in the morning,” Debra said. “When they reach out with a question, we try to respond quickly so they can keep their momentum going.” 

Opening New Possibilities 

For many nurses, earning a BSN is just the beginning. The degree can open the door to leadership roles, specialized practice areas, and graduate study. Some graduates pursue careers in education, nursing informatics, research, or quality improvement. 

“Many students know when they come into the program that they want to continue on for their master’s degree,” said Debra. “This program gives them the foundation they need to take that next step with confidence.” Others discover new career paths they hadn’t considered before. “Nursing is an incredibly broad profession. There are opportunities in leadership, healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device companies. The BSN becomes a platform for exploring those possibilities.” 

Still, for Debra, the most meaningful outcome remains the transformation she sees in students themselves. “They come away realizing they’re stronger nurses than they thought they were,” she said. “They learn more about their profession, but they also learn more about themselves.” 

And sometimes, like the nurse who once just wanted to “get the paper,” they leave with something far more valuable than a degree: a renewed commitment to the patients and communities they serve.