What Jobs Can You Get With a BSN Degree?

Without a clear understanding of the diverse job opportunities available in the nursing sector, BSN graduates may miss out on roles that align with their passion, skills, and financial goals. Our academic advisors are sharing the job prospects for BSN degree graduates to help you explore the various opportunities.

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What Jobs Can You Get With a BSN Degree?

BSN degree graduates can pursue specialized nursing roles such as critical care nursing. For those interested in leadership, a BSN can lead to advancement opportunities like becoming a nursing administrator. The degree prepares nurses for healthcare technology and research, with roles like telehealth nursing becoming increasingly prevalent in our digital age.

Whether you complete a traditional or online bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, this program opens doors to a wide variety of nursing roles that are both challenging and rewarding. As we guide students in finding fulfilling roles in the nursing field, we encourage you to consider both traditional and non-traditional roles.

Specialized Nursing Careers for a BSN Graduate

With a bachelor of science in nursing degree, you have the opportunity to pursue various specialized nursing careers. We carefully picked specialties that will let you focus on caring for specific patient populations or aspects of healthcare while providing key services that improve patient outcomes.

Critical Care and Emergency Nurse

In the fast-paced setting of the ICU and emergency room, your quick thinking can save lives. You can use your BSN knowledge and training to:

• Understand complex health issues quickly.
• Operate highly technical medical equipment.
• Coordinate with a team under stress.

Neonatal, Pediatric, and Geriatric Nurse

Do you want to specialize in caring for the youngest and oldest patients in the hospital setting? Employers often require a BSN degree as proof that you know how to:

• Address age-specific concerns.
• Explain care plans clearly to family members.
• Comfort patients who may feel vulnerable or scared.

Oncology and Chronic Disease Management Nurse

As an oncology nurse, you’ll help manage cancer patients’ treatment plans, offering both medical and emotional support. A bachelor of science in nursing degree will:

• Keep you informed about the latest updates in oncology treatments.
• Train you in informing patients about their diseases.
• Help you collaborate with oncologists and palliative care specialists in developing treatment plans.

Nurse Midwife

Focusing on women’s health and childbirth, this career allows you to guide and support women during one of the most significant times of their lives. As a BSN degree holder, you will:

• Apply your knowledge to provide specialized care.
• Use your skills to actively help during the birthing process.
• Offer care and advice after childbirth.

Pain Management Nurse

Do you prefer to help patients manage pain post-surgery or due to chronic conditions? A bachelor’s degree in nursing can provide you with the foundational skills and training to:

• Evaluate and monitor patient pain levels accurately.
• Work with a healthcare team to devise effective pain management strategies.
• Show understanding and empathy as you support patients in pain.

Legal Nurse

Legal and ethical issues in healthcare can sometimes impact a patient’s ability to make healthcare decisions. Your nursing expertise gained from a BSN can be invaluable in legal cases, translating complex medical jargon for the legal field. As a legal nurse with a BSN degree, you will:

• Serve as the bridge between healthcare and law.
• Review cases and take inventory of medical evidence.
• Clearly explain medical concepts in legal settings.

Public Health Nurse

A BSN graduate can also work in communities to advocate for health policies, recommend disease prevention strategies, and provide education on healthy practices. A BSN coursework teaches students to:

• Understand the spread of diseases to protect communities.
• Teach groups about health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Advocate for healthier communities through policies and initiatives.

Travel Nurse

Enjoy the flexibility of working in different locations while meeting urgent patient care needs. As a travel nurse with a BSN educational background, you can:

• Jump into new settings and make a quick impact.
• Apply your broad nursing skills to a variety of specialties.
• See new places while you provide medical care.

Surgical Nurse

A surgical nurse plays a vital part in a surgical team, making sure operations go smoothly as patients receive quality care. You can succeed as a surgical nurse by completing a BSN degree that will train and teach you how to:

• Help with the preparation and follow-up of surgeries.
• Maintain a sterile environment to prevent complications.
• Keep a vigilant eye on patient vitals during procedures.

Advancement and Leadership Roles for a BSN Degree Holder

Holding a bachelor of science in nursing degree opens many doors in both the clinical and administrative branches of nursing. Powerful leadership and advanced management roles await those who are prepared to take on greater responsibilities in the healthcare field.

Nursing Educator

A BSN degree is often one of the required qualifications to become a nursing administrator. As a nursing educator, you will shape the future of nursing by sharing your knowledge with nursing students. A BSN will:

• Equip you with the clinical expertise to inform students about current nursing practices.
• Make sure you are well-versed in the latest healthcare technologies that you can pass on to students.
• Teach you to develop curriculum and teaching strategies.

Nurse Administrator

When preparing to become a nurse administrator, a bachelor’s degree in nursing will teach you the nursing fundamentals and provide hands-on management experience. Consider taking up a BSN to learn:

• Management skills for efficient departmental operation.
• Effective communication strategies to serve as a liaison between staff and higher management.
• Leadership courses to motivate and guide nursing teams.

Nurse Case Manager

Case management proves to be effective in healthcare, especially in providing vital information to clinical practitioners, healthcare researchers, and policymakers. You can become a nurse case manager by completing a BSN degree as it:

• Teaches you about healthcare systems, facilitating better navigation for patient needs.
• Enhances your ability to assess patient progress and communicate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Trains you to advocate for patients and manage their long-term care plans.

Chief Nursing Officer

As a chief nursing officer (CNO), you hold a top-tier leadership role within a healthcare organization, shaping nursing policies. A BSN degree is often a stepping stone to such high-level executive positions where you can drive changes in nursing care. In this education level, you will:

• Gain foundational leadership and management skills, including healthcare administration and organizational behavior.
• Acquire advanced clinical knowledge to oversee nursing operations and maintain high-quality patient care across an entire healthcare organization.
• Lead diverse initiatives and oversee the implementation of nursing best practices.

Technology and Research Jobs for a BSN Graduate

BSN graduates have a unique edge in the healthcare technology and research fields due to their blend of clinical knowledge and technical skills. They contribute significantly to the quality and efficiency of patient care through innovative roles in informatics, telehealth, and clinical research.

Informatics Nurse

Clinical informatics is an important component in healthcare as it utilizes electronic health records to track patient information and create the appropriate treatment plan with the medical team. As an informatics nurse, you’ll play a pivotal role in enhancing patient care delivery. A BSN degree will teach you how to:

• Design and improve information systems.
• Use evidence-based practice in developing systems relevant to clinical settings.
• Train staff on new technology, maintaining a smooth transition.

Telehealth Nurse

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) data reveals a projected shortage of 124,000 physicians by 2034. To help alleviate the burden on future practitioners, the AMA sees incorporating telemedicine as a potential solution. As a BSN graduate considering a career in telehealth, you can:

• Easily adapt nursing assessments to a virtual environment.
• Guide patients through technology-based monitoring and offer personalized care.
• Evaluate patient data and make timely decisions.

Research Nurse

As a research nurse, you’ll be at the forefront of medical discoveries, improving patient outcomes through clinical trials and studies. You can work at the best research universities for nursing majors, where you will:

• Develop, conduct, and analyze clinical research.
• Make sure research outcomes are ethically applied to nursing care.
• Translate complex research into practical steps for evidence-based practice.

Nurse Consultant

Nurse consultants provide expertise and advice to healthcare organizations or businesses on nursing practices and patient care. Consider taking up a bachelor of science degree in nursing to learn how to:

• Evaluate healthcare programs and advise on improvements.
• Understand technology for developing better healthcare solutions.
• Apply research in evidence-based policies and procedures.

Non-traditional Work for a BSN Degree Holder

Do you want to get a bachelor of science in nursing degree yet want to explore career options outside of medical bedside care? Your education will remain useful in various non-hospital roles where you can make a significant impact on healthcare.

Health Coach

The post-pandemic era has encouraged many people to prioritize health and wellness. A survey shows that 36% of Americans have worked with health coaches, while 18% plan to do so. You can use your BSN education as a health coach who will:

• Educate clients on health management and preventative care.
• Provide motivation and support for lifestyle adjustments.
• Guide clients through health challenges.

Insurance Specialist

Your role as an insurance specialist involves navigating the complexities of healthcare coverage. With the healthcare knowledge and training from a BSN, you can become an insurance specialist who will:

• Interpret medical records to assist in claims processing.
• Use clinical knowledge to liaise between patients and insurers.
• Provide expertise in healthcare services to help with policy development.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

As a pharmaceutical sales representative, you’ll be the key link between pharmacies and the medical community. Using a BSN, you can contribute to the medical field as a pharmaceutical sales representative by:

• Leveraging your medical knowledge to share the benefits of pharmaceutical products.
• Building relationships with healthcare professionals.
• Staying informed on industry trends and new treatments to advise effectively.

Medical Writer

Combine your nursing expertise with writing skills to become a medical writer. You’ll develop informative content for a variety of audiences within the healthcare industry. A BSN background will help you:

• Translate complex medical information into understandable content.
• Educate readers on healthcare topics using your clinical background.
• Create accurate and reliable resources for patients and healthcare providers.

Related Questions

How Can a BSN Help You Become a Registered Nurse?

Obtaining a BSN is a critical step if you’re aiming to become a registered nurse as it provides comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience, which are key aspects in passing the NCLEX-RN exam and obtaining your license. Hospitals and healthcare facilities often prefer hiring nurses with a BSN due to their extensive training.

What Is the Highest-Paying Job With a BSN?

Chief nursing officers are among the most lucrative nursing roles, with yearly wages averaging around $260,000. With the high salary also demanding complex work that involves overseeing nursing departments to maintain high-quality patient care, having a BSN degree can potentially improve your chances of becoming a chief nursing officer.

What Is the Best Degree to Get After a BSN?

After earning your BSN degree, the ideal degree to attain next is a master’s of science in nursing. With an MS degree in nursing, you can upskill and specialize in a particular field, which enables you to qualify for more specialized, high-paying jobs.

Conclusion

By exploring various specializations, leadership roles, and non-traditional nursing positions, BSN holders can find rewarding careers that match their interests and strengths. We hope our guide will enhance your job satisfaction as you also open doors to continuous professional development, increased earning potential, and the ability to make a significant impact in diverse healthcare settings.