Top 4 Career Moves for Nurses with a BSN

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When it comes to rewarding careers in healthcare, there are plenty of options for nurses with degrees. A bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) is an excellent qualification that can put you in good stead for a variety of nursing careers. This entry-level qualification can open up new opportunities in a variety of industries outside of healthcare and medicine. You can use it to branch out to new work settings while still providing care to patients. Here are four rewarding career moves for nurses with a bachelor’s degree.

Registered Nurse

The most obvious career ‘move’ for nurses is to remain in their field but practice as a registered nurse (RN). Although you can perform some nursing duties with lower-level qualifications, practicing nurses have better employment prospects and more job opportunities with a BSN. According to this American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) survey, 94 percent of nurses were able to secure a job in just four months after completing a BSN. Studies have shown that around 41 percent of hospitals and other healthcare units have required nurses to achieve a BSN before they can work. On top of this, around 82.4 percent of employers prefer to employ nurses with bachelor’s degrees. For many employers, a BSN is an entry-level degree that will teach prospective nurses the fundamental knowledge and skill set required for nursing. As opposed to an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), a BSN help students understand how to undertake everyday duties better, such as analyzing data, project implementation, and evidence-based practice. In addition, registered nurses with BSNs have a higher earning potential than nurses without this degree.

Stepping Stone to an Advanced-Level Career

In the long run, obtaining your bachelor’s degree in nursing is a great move for your career, and it is a fantastic investment for your future in nursing. As mentioned above, a BSN offers nurses solid, foundational knowledge about nursing. This knowledge is imperative if you want to become an advanced practice nurse, such as a nurse practitioner. For example, with a BSN and an RN license, you can enroll in an online MSN-FNP program as a family nurse practitioner. 

Management and Administration Positions

A bachelor’s degree in nursing gives nurses in entry-level positions the chance to obtain management and administration roles. Due to the nature of the course content, a BSN equips students with valuable management skills, core leadership theories, and an understanding of healthcare economics.

Non-Traditional Nursing Roles

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States, around 30 percent of RNs provide care in general medical and surgical hospitals. This shows that a large percentage of nurses pursue careers in other settings. These careers can include patient-facing roles in an educational setting, working out in the community, in the military, or as a travel nurse. With a BSN, you can also become a nutritionist nurse for fitness-related establishments, a nursing consultant for a variety of industries, and a healthcare specialist in IT.