Top 15 Careers You Can Do With a BSN Degree
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree opens several opportunities for new nurses. Choosing a nursing specialty may be simple for some, but others struggle because of the vast options available.
To help you find a career that suits you, we have compiled the top 15 careers for BSN nurses, including salary, skills, and qualities necessary to work in the field.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree?
The better question might be, what can’t you do with a BSN degree? A Bachelor of Science in Nursing opens so many doors to lucrative, fulfilling careers with plenty of upward mobility. Here are some of the top careers available to nurses with a BSN.
1. Intensive Care Nurse (ICU)
Intensive Care RNs are highly trained nurses who care for the sickest patients in the hospital. They provide precise and often life-saving interventions to their patients to help achieve the best chance of survival.
- Salary: $78,682 (Payscale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective communication
- Advocacy
- Advanced skill set
- Strong problem solver
- Quick thinker
- Advanced life support skills
- Strong interpretation skills
2. Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse (PICU)
A PICU nurse cares for the sickest pediatric patients through specialized interventions. They treat and care for toddlers, children, and adolescents.
- Salary: $77,396 (Payscale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Critical Thinking
- Advocacy
- Effective communication
- Advanced skill set
- Time management
- Strong problem solver
- Quick thinker
- Compassionate
- Enjoys working with children
3. Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (NICU)
A NICU nurse's primary patients are sick and/or premature babies or babies with various forms of birth defects. Patients are often in acute and critical condition.
- Salary: $79,162 (Payscale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective communication
- Advanced skill set
- Attention to detail
- Dexterity
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Strong problem solver
- Quick thinker
- Empathetic
- Compassionate
- Team player
- Loves babies
- Advanced clinical knowledge
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
4. Case Management Nurse
A case manager is a specialized registered nurse (RN) who works with patients and providers to determine the specific care required and the best options for that care.
- Salary: $79,712 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Organized
- Detail oriented
- Care planning
- Patience
- Conflict resolution
- Advocacy
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Flexibility
- Collaboration and teamwork
5. Labor & Delivery Nurse
A L&D nurse assists the medical team in caring for pregnant women. This may involve delivering babies or triaging patients suffering from pregnant ailments and preterm labor.
- Salary: $73,491 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Fetal Monitoring Skills
- Compassionate
- Empathy
- Professionalism
- Communication skills
- Patient advocate
- Critical thinking abilities
- Ability to remain calm
- Emotional Connection
- Decision-making ability
6. Informatics Nurse
Informatics nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who work at the intersection of technology and nursing. Nursing informatics is a specialty that combines nursing, communications, computer science, and information science knowledge.
- Salary: $84,729 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Technical knowledge
- Communication
- Time Management
- Computer literacy
- Problem-solving
- EHR expertise
- Data analysis
7. Forensic Nurse
A forensic nurse works with crime victims to gather medical evidence and provide expert testimony in court. Forensic nursing is a unique specialty that blends the worlds of nursing, science, and the legal system.
- Salary: $61,042 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Inquisitive
- Evidence collection
- Precision
- Detail oriented
- Ability to testify in court case
- Leadership
- Ability to work independently
- Strong communication skills
8. Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are responsible for educating the next generation of nurses in the classroom or clinical settings. Nurse educators may also work as unit-based educators, and work with new orientees and new graduate nurses.
- Salary: $84,736 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Curriculum development
- Advanced knowledge
- Creativity
- Ability to teach and lead
- Strong communication skills
- Collaboration skill
- Leadership
- Nursing expertise
- Professionalism
9. School Nurse
School nurses work in a school setting, assessing and treating students' minor ailments.
- Salary: $56,264 (Salary.com)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Detail oriented
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to delegate
- Decision-making skills
- Able to practice independently
- Caring
- Advocacy
- Critical thinking skills
- Strong assessment skills
10. Nurse Administrator
Nurse administrators are high-level executives in nursing leadership roles who work in hospitals and healthcare systems. They supervise and oversee nursing staff.
- Salary: $96,538 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Authoritative
- Technical skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Interpersonal skills
- Managerial tasks
- Analytical
- Attention to detail
- Professional
- Problem-solving skills
- Financial Stewardship
- Adaptability
11. Emergency Room Nurse
ER nurses are responsible for stabilizing patients before transferring to the operating room, intensive care unit, and/or medical-surgical unit and discharging medically stable patients.
- Salary: $76,923 (Salary.com)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Strong clinical skills
- Ability to triage
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Multitask
- Emotional resilience
- Effective communication
- Collaboration
- Ability to delegate tasks
- Assertiveness
- Flexibility
- Time management
12. Travel Nurse
Travel nurses can work in a variety of locations and, depending on the work location, that will dictate day-to-day responsibilities. Travel nurses work short-term contracts and are non-permanent or temporary nurses who fill in the gaps in staffing.
- Salary: $101,132 (ZipRecruiter)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Adaptability
- Calmness
- Flexibility
- Spontaneity
- Time management
- Leadership abilities
- Quick thinking
- Resilience
- Love of travel
- Patient Advocacy
13. Aesthetic Nurse
An aesthetic nurse specializes in providing cosmetic treatments and procedures to enhance a person's appearance.
- Salary: $80,321 (ZipRecruiter)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Precision
- Detail oriented
- Communication
- Treatment planning
- Decision-making skills
- Collaboration
- Patient evaluation skills
- Independence
- Authoritative
- Assertiveness
- Compassion
- Artistic flair
14. Operating Room Nurse
An OR nurse works in an operating room and assists surgeons and other healthcare professionals in helping patients needing surgical procedures.
- Salary: $82,688 (PayScale)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Communication
- Calm under precision
- Works well with others
- Collaboration
- Teamwork
- Patient safety
- Empathy
- Organization
- Physical stamina
15. Research Nurse
Research nurses assist in developing studies regarding medications, vaccines, and medical procedures, as well as the care of research participants.
- Salary: $95,214 (Salary.com)
- Required Skills & Qualities:
- Attention to detail
- Analytical reasoning
- Flexibility
- Organization skills
- Problem-solving
- Public speaking
- Coordination
- Collaboration
How to Choose a Nursing Specialty
Selecting your specialty after earning a BSN can be extremely challenging. Some students know their desired specialty before even applying to nursing school. However, others might rely on other factors to learn what field best suits them.
Take a Personal Inventory
If you're in the latter group and still figuring out what you want, we recommend asking yourself why you became a nurse. Certain experiences drive people to the healthcare field. For example, many oncology nurses chose that field because they had a personal experience with cancer.
Draw on Nursing School Experiences
Nursing school offers rich clinical experiences that may help point you toward a specialty. Reflect on your time in school and think of things you enjoyed during clinicals. Chances are you'll enjoy pursuing those fields professionally.
You might also consider entering a nurse residency program. These two-year educational and professional development programs may help you discover more about your likes and dislikes. The extra experience may guide you toward a specialty that suits your interests.
Consider Practical Factors
Practicality may be a defining factor in your decision. Sometimes, you need a specific salary or a job with immediate openings.
Some practical factors to consider when selecting a BSN nursing job include:
- Job availability
- Specialty training
- Salary
- Hours
- In-person vs. Remote work
- Travel requirements
What Is the Highest-Paying BSN Career?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a registered nurse is $86,070 as of May 2023.
Currently, the highest-paying BSN career is a nurse administrator. According to Payscale, nurse administrators can earn an average annual salary of $96,538.
How Do You Make Six Figures With a BSN?
Even as a BSN-RN, finding six-figure nursing jobs is a genuine possibility. To maximize your annual salary, you most likely will need a per diem job, side hustle, or multiple jobs.
Your location can also affect your salary. According to the BLS, the top five paying states for RNs earn over six figures:
- California - $137,690
- Hawaii - $119,710
- Oregon - $113,440
- Washington - $111,030
- Alaska - $109,210
Other ways to earn six figures as a nurse include:
- Becoming an APRN
- Become a travel nurse
- Work in nurse management
- Change nursing specialties (ICU pays more than med-surg)
- Work night shift
- Work weekends
- Overtime
- Earn advance certifications
Is Getting a BSN Worth It?
Absolutely! A BSN opens many doors and sets you up for career advancement opportunities. For example, if you want to become an APRN, you will need a BSN to continue your education. Additionally, most nursing positions require a BSN, especially at large magnet hospitals.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
