Nursing shortages are at an all-time high and the profession is in greater need than ever before of qualified nurses. Not only that, but states around the country are trying to increase the number of practicing nurses with a BSN degree, with many pushing to make it mandatory for registered nurses.
Having a BSN in your back pocket could put you in a prime position to fill all sorts of roles, and also gives you tons of options for advancement. Let’s take a look at some of the positions you could qualify for with a BSN degree.
Registered Nurse
If you are going to get your bachelor’s, there’s a very high chance that you will start by doing general work as a registered nurse. Nurses are the heart and soul of any facility and they interact with patients much more than doctors do.
One of the most important skills that registered nurses need is to be adaptable. They might be asked to work bedside one day and work in an intensive care unit the next. They also need to know how to use a wide variety of tools in their functions while looking after the physical and emotional needs of patients. This is a very fast-paced job which is great for those who want to be close to the action. This is also what most people think about when they think about nursing.
To succeed in this field, you need to be able to work as part of a large team and make quick decisions on a dime. You also have to be ready to lose patients and not have too much of an emotional connection with everyone that comes in while still being caring.
If you are thinking of going for this position from a non-nursing field, we would suggest that you start looking at what the job entails as well as accelerated BSN programs. Schools like Baylor offer accelerated BSN nursing programs specifically geared towards non-nurses with a bachelor’s that will allow you to shorten your studies by using previous credits you’ve earned.
Forensic Nurse
This is a great option for people who are looking for something different. This is also definitely not for the faint of heart. Forensic nurses may have to work on crime scenes, but they also have to do some digging work in some cases. They might have to look at medical records when working on medical insurance fraud or malpractice cases, for instance. They might also be asked to review evidence or be witnesses.
This could be a good career choice if you want to make a difference and are sensitive to certain causes. Forensic nurses often have to deal with domestic abuse or sexual assault cases, for instance. It is an interesting field that isn’t traditional and could give you a break from the emergency room if you’ve been working as an RN for a while.
School Nurse
School nurse is one of the best jobs for a nurse with a bachelor’s for many reasons. For one, you’ll get the chance to enjoy steady hours, which is a luxury in this field. And, while your job will be essential, your workload will be nowhere near as heavy as it would in most nursing jobs.
School nurses are paid pretty well too, with the top 75% earning as much as $72,000 per year. In addition to treating children, you will also play an educational role and might be asked to educate them, their parents, and the community at large.
Yacht or Cruise Line Nurse
If your dream was to sail the seven seas while doing what you love the most, you could also get a job as a yacht or cruise line nurse. Your job will be to provide emergency care to people on the boat. On a cruise line, you might be asked to work only with patients, but on a yacht, you will have to be ready to do some crew work since there will be much less to do.
Getting a job on a yacht or a cruise line is not that complicated either. Those with a bachelor’s already have a leg up, and the more experience you have, the greater the chance that you’ll find something you like. Note that you will need at least three years’ experience working on medical assessment units, accident & emergency, or emergency rooms to work on most cruise lines. If you want to work on a yacht, you can apply on sites like yacrew.com and yotspot.com. If you want to work for a cruise line, you can apply with them directly or use services like ProSeaStaff to find openings.
Fitness Nursing
This one is a great option for those who love being active and want to share that love with their patients. This is also a good job for those who don’t necessarily want to work in a clinical setting. Fitness nurses work in physical rehabilitation centers, health clubs, and post-surgery recovery, among other places. These nurses may be asked to come up with special exercise and nutrition regimens to help patients maintain their health and recover from a procedure or an illness.
Nurse Entrepreneur or Consultant
Also know that you don’t necessarily have to work for other people if you have your BSN. Sure, you might have to get a few years of experience under your belt, but there is a lot of work for nurse consultants out there. You could work with healthcare institutions, but also private employers trying to improve health and safety through training. You might also offer independent classes to people in your community or certain industries, such as CPR classes for instance. This could be a great way to use your expertise to teach and work on your own time.
These are only some of the things that you can do with a bachelor’s of science in nursing. We suggest that you give all of these jobs a closer look and see if any of them pique your interest.
