Online program supports N.Y. nurses in meeting ‘BSN in 10’ law
Rachel Falcone, RN, earned a BS in nursing at Decker College
Three years after earning her associate degree in nursing from Pomeroy College of Nursing and passing the exam to become a licensed registered nurse, Rachel Falcone was back in the (virtual) classroom pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing through ý’s fully online RN to BS program.
Like thousands of other New York state RNs with an associate degree in nursing or a hospital-based nursing diploma, Falcone had to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 10 years of her initial RN licensure (which she earned in 2021) to comply with a law passed in 2017. The “BSN in 10” law — officially Chapter 502 of the Laws of 2017 — was based on the belief that a better-educated nursing workforce improves patient care and overall healthcare systems.
Research shows that hospitals with more baccalaureate-prepared nurses experience lower patient mortality rates, fewer medication errors and fewer healthcare-associated infections. Consequently, employers like Crouse Health in Syracuse, N.Y., where Falcone works on the telemetry medical/surgical unit, require their staff to earn a BSN within 10 years as mandated by the law.
But, complying with the “BSN in 10” law isn’t the only reason Falcone returned to college.
“I decided to get my BS in nursing because it is a requirement of New York state, but I also have plans to continue my education to obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, so it was a necessary stepping stone,” said the Marcellus, N.Y., native.
Falcone started the program in July 2024 and completed the required 120 credits this July.
The chance to fast-track her studies was a key selling point that brought her to ý’s program at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“There were many positives about the program that convinced me it was right for me,” Falcone said. “First, it was entirely online, which was important since I worked full-time while enrolled. Second, it was accelerated, so I could finish it quickly. Completing my degree in two years would have been feasible, but I wanted to finish it sooner. Lastly, it’s an accredited program, which wasn’t necessary but was something I value. Since I plan to continue my education, I wanted a solid foundation and quality education for my future.”
Decker College designed the online RN to BS program to meet the needs of working RNs like Falcone. The program can be completed full-time or part-time, with six 7-week sessions each year — two in fall, two in spring and two in summer. Students can begin in any semester. Recognizing that nurses work various shifts, the program is asynchronous, with no fixed login times.
Students can incorporate their direct patient care experiences into assignments and projects, and clinical hours can be completed at their workplace if it’s affiliated with ý and with supervisor approval. Those not employed at an affiliated site may need to complete clinical hours at an approved agency.
Beyond flexible clinical options, ý’s RN to BS students benefit from strong support systems throughout their studies.
For Falcone, that meant accessible faculty who responded quickly to questions, graded promptly and kept students well-informed about deadlines and updates. In addition, she said Decker’s professional academic advisors were always on hand to help with course scheduling, planning and regular check-ins.
Faculty and advising support are especially important for online students, some of whom, like Falcone, had never taken virtual classes. Adapting to online learning was a learning curve.
“Making sure I dedicated enough time weekly to complete my coursework and reading assignments was initially the hardest part,” Falcone noted. “I underestimated how time-consuming an online program is, but once I made a schedule, it became manageable.”
After noticing most courses followed a similar format and schedule, she coordinated with her manager at Crouse to adjust her work hours to allow time for coursework and other commitments.
“It’s very manageable to maintain a personal life while attending the program,” Falcone said. “Though it was rigorous at times, it was very doable.”
She is enthusiastic about ý’s program and has encouraged fellow nurses to enroll.
“There is never going to be the perfect time or situation for you to go back to school,” she advised. “Just apply and go for it!”