While many healthcare professionals are able to launch their careers before they earn a college degree, nurses may increase their chances of landing high-paying positions if they finish school and earn their nursing license RN before they begin the application process.

Over the next eight years, the demand for registered nurses (RNs) is slated to increase by 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although this need will create many job opportunities for prospective nurses, many healthcare providers are instilling new policies to ensure that they are attracting the most highly qualified candidates.

For example, North Shore - LIJ Health System recently announced that, beginning in September, new nurses will be required to hold a bachelor of nursing in science (BSN) degree at the time of hire, or earn one within five years, Health Leaders Media reports.

Company officials say that this new mandate was inspired by research that connected quality outcomes, low mortality rates and few unexpected events to highly educated nurses.

Michael Dowling, the system’s president and CEO, told the news source that he hopes the rule will lead to “higher quality, more cost-effective patient care.”