Nursing

9 BSN Careers for Graduates to Consider

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 23, 2024

A group of nurses gathered around a conference table.

9 BSN Careers for Graduates to Consider

The knowledge and skills that registered nurses develop throughout their careers make them versatile and capable professionals. For many, nursing is a calling as much as it is a career, and working in a medical facility allows them to dedicate their careers to making a meaningful impact in the lives of their patients. For others, while nursing may be their passion, choosing a role outside of a health care facility can be a better fit, offering them an opportunity to apply their skills in different fields.

With the well-rounded education that an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program provides, qualified nurses can find success in any of a variety of careers. BSN career options range from hands-on nursing careers, such as working as a nurse in a hospital, as a travel nurse, or as a nurse manager, to those outside bedside care, such as working in pharmaceutical sales, research, or education.

What Are the Educational Options for RNs?

Prospective nurses have three main options when choosing their educational pathway. To become a practicing nurse, gaining licensure as a registered nurse (RN) is a vital step. Qualifying for RN licensure requires completing either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, an approved nursing diploma program, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

While the ADN, diploma, and BSN pathways are all valid routes to entering the nursing workforce, the time required, financial investment, and training earned through each are different, with a BSN requiring a more substantial commitment.

What Are an ADN and a Nursing Diploma?

One of the educational options available to aspiring nurses is to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. For students with limited funds or those who are looking to enter the workforce quickly, this pathway can be appealing because it allows individuals to enter the workforce in as little as two years.

Earning an ADN is a good option for individuals who are not necessarily looking to pursue a nursing career within a hospital or to seek advanced roles such as nurse practitioner (NP) roles, which require both a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Similarly, earning a nursing diploma is an efficient way to enter the nursing field, with some individuals completing their program in as little as 12 months. However, future nurses need to consider which roles they want to pursue. Nurses with a diploma may find themselves limited to entry-level opportunities until they are able to invest in additional education and training.

For ADN students, future roles can include those within public health, long-term care roles, or assisting in rehabilitation programs. While in the past ADN graduates were able to work their way up in a hospital or private practice, many health care organizations now look for candidates with more extensive education.

For ADN graduates who are interested in advancing their careers, an RN to BSN program is a great way to transition into any of a number of BSN careers, as well as to lay the foundation to become a nurse practitioner or to gain advanced training and specialization.

What Is a BSN?

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a foundational nursing degree that typically takes four years to complete. Across the field of nursing, a BSN is becoming the industry standard of education for nurses beginning their careers. With in-depth coursework that delves into both the theoretical and practical sides of nursing, a BSN program gives students the opportunity to explore different areas of the nursing field and gain insight into which direction they would like to take in their careers.

While ADN graduates are able to become licensed as RNs and enter the field, many health care organizations consider RNs with BSNs to be more qualified candidates. Nurses often choose BSN programs to gain the additional knowledge and training sought by many employers and to gain access to what can be more desirable careers.

Why Earn a BSN?

The tasks that nurses perform require a well-rounded education and training. Many BSN career paths involve taking on considerable responsibility, and nurses must be prepared for the real-world challenges of working in medicine.

Choosing to pursue a BSN is a big step, but it can be beneficial for RNs and can even change the trajectory of their careers. These benefits include the following:

Further education not only provides nurses with more in-depth skills and knowledge, but it also allows them to pursue roles with more responsibilities, qualifies them for increased workplace autonomy, and makes them more confident in the workplace.
Many more advanced roles require that nurses have a BSN as opposed to an ADN.
A higher level of education and experience can often lead to more desirable career opportunities and salaries.
For nurses looking to continue their education and earn advanced certifications or specialties, most institutions require a BSN to qualify for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

For RNs who have already earned an ADN, continuing their education by enrolling in an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) or RN to BSN program can be a key step in opening doors to career advancement or a wider variety of BSN careers. With a BSN, future nursing leaders can enter the workforce with confidence and gain the freedom to choose a career path that is right for them. They also have many different nursing specialties to choose from in both rural and urban parts of the country.

Outlook for Nursing Professionals

Demand is rising for qualified nursing professionals across the country. According to a report by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the shortage of registered nurses is projected to reach 78,610 by 2025 and rise to 63,720 by 2030. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that positions for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners will grow by 38% between 2022 and 2032.

Multiple factors have contributed to the nursing shortage. Many nurses left the field during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those in the baby boom generation have or will soon be retiring. This means that opportunities for qualified nurses in a variety of positions will continue to increase over at least the next decade.

9 BSN Career Opportunities

Making the decision to invest the time and finances to earn a BSN requires a big commitment. Whether someone has already gained their RN licensure or is new to the nursing field altogether, knowing that there will be job opportunities available upon graduation can heavily affect a prospective student’s choice. By completing a postsecondary degree program, an individual can prepare themselves to pursue any of a range of clinical and non clinical BSN careers.

Nurse

Qualified nurses are in high demand nationwide. Working in hospitals, private practices, and medical facilities in both cities and rural areas, nurses work closely with patients and handle a range of day-to-day responsibilities that can vary based on where they work. A nursing role in a health care facility focused on providing direct patient care is the most common path.

Nurses’ typical responsibilities include:

Performing patient assessments including physical examinations
Keeping detailed medical records
Observing patients’ health and assisting other medical professionals in providing care
Administering medications and basic medical treatments
Collecting lab samples for analysis
Providing support to patients and their families

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for registered nurses was $86,070 in May 2023. The BLS projects jobs for nurses will increase by 6% between 2022 and 2032, with approximately 193,100 openings expected to be available each year over the decade.

Medical Writer

Nurses looking for a career that combines nursing expertise with creative work can consider medical writing. Medical writers cover health care topics for academia as well as for manufacturing, marketing, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies.

While their subject matter may vary depending on the writer’s background, their level of education, and the company they are working for, medical writers produce content such as the following:

Presentations and press releases
Medical reports
Marketing and advertising materials
Books, newspaper articles, and journal articles
Abstracts and proposals
Educational materials
Reports and results of clinical trials
Website copy for companies and associations

Medical writers cover a larger variety of topics and, depending on their employer, may specialize in specific areas. While many enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, some choose to pursue an advanced degree to contribute at a higher level if they are writing about medical research, advancements, or materials that will advise other medical professionals. Additionally, many will also join a professional association for medical writing.

Medical writers had a median annual salary of around $82,770 as of June 2024, according to Payscale.

Public Health Nurse

Public health nursing is a BSN career that provides qualified nurses with an opportunity to make a positive impact within their community and to help improve the health of the population as a whole. Offering care services, resources, and education to an entire group, public health nurses look at the health trends of an area or a particular demographic, and work to develop programs to improve them.

While nurses working in medical facilities treat patients one-on-one, public health nurses look at the health of an entire community and pinpoint issues that require focused attention. Whether it be the spread of a particular disease or a rise in unhealthy behavior that can be stemmed through widespread education, public health nurses tailor their resources to the needs of the people living in their area.

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for public health nurses was about $72,310 as of May 2024.

Nurse Lobbyist

Nurse lobbyists advocate for the advancement of medical regulations and the well-being of both nursing professionals and the public. Lobbying does not entail working directly with patients. Lobbyists focus on legislation that affects nursing, working to put laws and regulations into place that can improve the medical system and nurses’ ability to provide patients with quality care.

The duties of a nurse lobbyist include the following:

Consulting with other nurses and medical professionals to identify areas of the medical system that need to be addressed
Working with legislators to put legislation forward
Networking and building relationships with legal professionals, legislators, and medical experts
Researching health care topics and the impact of different policies
Negotiating with other lobbyists to find policy resolutions

The laws and regulations that shape the health care system can fundamentally affect the lives of both patients and the medical professionals who provide them with care. In many cases, nurses interested in becoming lobbyists will pursue additional schooling, such as by earning a master’s degree in public health, to improve their knowledge of health policy and legislation.

According to Payscale, lobbyists had a median annual salary of around $88,510 as of May 2024.

Health Care Recruiter

The nationwide shortage of nursing professionals has created many challenges for health care organizations. From small community clinics to large urban hospitals, many health care organizations require the help of recruiters to fill vacancies with qualified candidates.

A promising BSN career for nurses who have workplace experience and are interested in transitioning into an administrative role, health care recruiting requires a specific set of skills. BSN graduates understand the challenges of health care providers and are able to match organizations with suitable candidates. Health care recruiters interview both parties to compile lists of needs and qualifications and help nurses find the right role.

The BLS reports that human resources specialists, including health care recruiters, had a median annual salary of $67,650 as of May 2023, with specialized recruiters having higher median salaries.

Utilization Management Nurse

Utilization management nurses play a key role in ensuring patients receive the care they need. A great choice for those who would like to positively impact the lives of patients without providing bedside care, utilization management involves understanding the needs of patients, health care facilities, and medical professionals, and allocating resources properly.

Utilization management nurses are tasked with duties that include the following:

Consulting patients’ medical records and evaluating their treatment plans
Overseeing care compliance and documentation
Managing resources and coordinating care services
Handling insurance authorizations and reimbursements
Making sure patients receive the highest quality care

According to Payscale, RNs specializing in utilization management had a median annual salary of approximately $79,640 as of April 2024.

Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is a career BSN graduates pursue that can be challenging in its unpredictability, but offers great flexibility for many nurses. Typically, travel nurses work for nursing agencies that place them in short-term roles around the country. Depending on a nurse’s level of education, certification, and specialty, their duties from one facility to the next can look quite different.

In many cases, travel nurses are hired to aid understaffed facilities or those with permanent staff on leave, taking on typical nursing duties or working within an emergency department. Those with advanced certifications or specializations often travel to facilities that are in need of their particular set of skills for difficult cases.

With their wide range of skills and variable scheduling demands, travel nurses can often earn higher salaries than permanent RNs on staff. However, travel nurses’ salaries can vary depending on the type and length of the contracts they accept.

According to Payscale, the median annual base salary for travel nurses was around $84,070 as of June 2024.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical sales entails traveling within a designated region to market devices and medications to medical professionals. Pharmaceutical sales representatives educate health care providers and facility executives about the advantages and features of different medical devices, medications, or treatments.

Depending on their sales region, the products they sell, and their commission rates, the annual salaries for pharmaceutical sales representatives can vary. The BLS reports that sales representatives of wholesale and manufacturing, technical, and scientific products had a median annual salary of $99,710 as of May 2023.

Nurse Manager

Nurse managers act as supervisors within medical facilities. This career can be a good fit for nurses who have accumulated extensive leadership and workplace experience overseeing nursing staff. Nurse managers have responsibilities that include the following:

Coordinating nurses’ duties and schedules
Implementing health care programs
Coordinating care with doctors and other providers
Providing guidance to their teams
Ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care

The BLS projects that the employment of medical and health services managers, including nurse managers, is expected to grow 28% between 2022 and 2032. The BLS reports these professionals had a median annual salary of $110,680 as of May 2023.

Build a Fulfilling Career With a BSN

Nurses play an instrumental role in the health care system. With the rising demand for skilled nurses, well-educated graduates have the opportunity to pursue a career that fits their needs and professional goals.

A well-rounded education is a key step for nurses whatever their BSN career goals. The RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Tulsa provides students with the practical skills they need to excel in their careers. TU offers students an online degree program with a growth-minded approach that builds on their existing education. Find out how you can advance your career with a BSN.

Recommended Readings

6 Tips for New Nurses

Common Nurse Specialties to Choose From

Nurse Advancement Opportunities for RNs

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet

American Nurses Association, Federal Advocacy

American Nurses Association, “How to Become a Travel Nurse”

American Nurses Association, “Nurses in the Workforce”

American Nurses Association, “What Is a Utilization Management Nurse?”

Health Resources and Services Administration, Nurse Workforce Projections, 2020-2035