Background. The demands of the current health-care system support the need for more nurses to be prepared at the bachelor's level (American Association of the Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2007). However, only 28% of the registered nurse (RN) population in Florida holds a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), which may be the result of increased attrition among RN students (FCN, 2008). Researchers have begun to study factors contributing to degree completion for the RN student, but little is known about the perceptions of the RN who has completed a BSN degree. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of the RN who has completed a BSN degree and to provide educators, nurse leaders, and hospital administrator's information to consider for successful degree completion for nurses with less than a BSN degree. Methods. A qualitative method in the tradition of phenomenology provided an understanding of the perceptions of the RN who has completed a BSN degree. The research question was, "What are the perceptions of the RN who has completed a BSN degree?" A purposeful sample of nine RNs who completed a BSN degree, participated in audiotaped interviews and optional reflective notes. The researcher used van Manen's (1990) hermeneutic phenomenological approach as a framework to elucidate the meaning of the phenomenon. Results. An overarching theme of a "transformative journey"and four supporting themes, "a beginning," "gains and losses along the way," "support from others," and "new discoveries" emerged through this phenomenological exploration. The emerging themes provided the lens, to reveal the meaning of the experience for the RN who has completed a BSN degree. Conclusion. This researcher's interpretation of the text unmasked an understanding of the perceptions of the RN who completed a BSN degree. A deeper understanding of the experience as RNs persist to degree completion may be fundamental to provide educators, nurse leaders, and hospital administrator's information to consider for successful degree completion for nurses with less than a BSN degree. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]