A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program opens the door to expanded career and leadership opportunities, higher earning potential and advanced nursing skills to provide exceptional patient care. In a complex healthcare industry that favors nurses with a BSN, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a strategic step toward a rewarding future in a range of roles.
Consider this your guide to careers for nurses with BSN degrees — including traditional routes and non-clinical options.
Registered nurses (RN) are increasingly in demand as employers look for professionals who have an expanded knowledge base and skill set afforded by the bachelor’s degree curriculum. Accordingly, BSN-educated nurses can seek employment in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, private medical offices, nursing and hospice care facilities, and outpatient clinics.
Earning a BSN degree also provides job security in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs earn a median annual salary of $86,070, and the RN position is growing at a rate of 6% nationally, which is faster than average for all occupations.
Nurses with their BSN degree provide comprehensive patient care across the following generalist nursing responsibilities:
Direct Patient Care - patient assessments, health history documentation, monitoring vital signs, wound care, medication administration, IV management
Treatment Plan Implementation - coordinate with physicians and specialists, align plans to patient needs, recommend treatment adjustments
Patient Education - teach patients about managing conditions, medication, recovery, preventative care, wellness plans
Beyond the generalist RN role, BSN-educated nurses can follow their interests and further specialize their careers. Common specialty areas include pediatrics, labor and delivery, general surgery, cardiology and oncology.
Many of these specialty areas require either certification or continuing education, and the BSN degree provides the necessary foundational knowledge to enter these fields.
Another in-demand pathway for nurses is travel nursing, a temporary position for RNs to fill staffing shortages at healthcare facilities across the country.
They benefit from networking opportunities because they work in diverse healthcare settings, meet new colleagues and managers, and build a multifaceted skill set from their rotating experiences. Travel nurses also typically earn higher wages than staff nurses, including housing stipends and bonuses.
Travel nursing allows BSN-educated nurses to combine their love for patient care with the excitement of travel, flexibility and professional development. This can be an enticing way to expand their skills and career prospects.
A BSN degree not only prepares you for traditional nursing roles but also qualifies you for non-clinical careers that are vital to today’s healthcare system. These unique positions support the overall healthcare delivery system as well as the greater population’s health in positions beyond direct patient care.
Non-clinical roles for BSN holders include:
Case manager
Community health nurse
Healthcare risk manager
Nursing informaticist
Patient advocate
Policy advisor
Public health nurse
Nurses with their BSN are more likely to step into senior and managerial roles than RNs without a bachelor’s degree. BSN degree programs position you well for these jobs. The curriculum and hands-on learning experiences foster strong communication skills, poise in working with a multidisciplinary team, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and adaptability in unpredictable scenarios.
Furthermore, the BSN credential also makes you eligible for higher salary tiers in recognition of your advanced knowledge and skill set.
In addition to being a pathway to a range of rewarding careers, BSN degree programs also provide students with the necessary foundation to continue their education in graduate and doctoral programs. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs require a bachelor’s degree in nursing as a minimum educational prerequisite.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is an investment in a versatile, rewarding career in a range of nursing positions and specialties. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s (FranU) nursing bachelor’s degree programs feature a patient-centered curriculum that builds the necessary skills to be a competent, compassionate nurse capable of making a meaningful difference in healthcare.
Explore FranU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, both the traditional pre-licensure and the accelerated tracks, to see how you can jump-start your future in nursing.
If you’re ready to get started, apply to the BSN or Accelerated BSN degree program or request information!
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