Many career options are available when you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. You may choose to work as an RN or LPN in a hospital setting, or you might want to work as an outpatient nurse at a doctor’s office or clinic.
However, if you’ve already earned your BSN degree and are wondering what else is for nurses with this type of education, or if you’re thinking about going back for more education after getting your associate’s degree, read on.
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Nursing Is a Well-Respected Profession
The United States has a widespread shortage of RNs. According to the NIH, there are 3.9 million RNs in the U.S. But we need 275000 additional RNs by 2026 to meet demand and replace those who retire or leave for other reasons. This adds to a 6% boost in employment opportunities during this period.
Nurses are among the most highly regarded professionals in the healthcare industry. They’re the backbone of these institutions. Without them, doctors would not have access to vital information about their patient’s needs or be able to provide high-quality care.
Nurses also enjoy an extremely high level of respect from society. They’re selfless heroes who work tirelessly throughout long shifts at demanding jobs with decent pay. Being part of such an esteemed profession opens many doors for your future career prospects.
Seven Career Prospects for BSN Professionals
Getting into nursing school is extremely challenging. Thousands of applications are rejected each year despite the severe shortage of nurses in America and worldwide. A bachelor’s degree from an approved university with a 2.8 GPA is required for admission to reputable academic or practical nursing program.
In addition, you must finish 25 credit hours of compulsory subjects with a C or higher. It’s wise if you take an accredited BSN program online to have the flexibility to complete your degree while working full-time.
If you’re interested in an online nursing program, be sure the Accreditation Commission accredits it for Education in Nursing (ACEN), ensuring its standards meet those set forth by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
In addition, you must meet specific health standards that include having normal vision and hearing, being able to lift 50 pounds, having no history of drug abuse, not being pregnant at the time of the application deadline, and such.
Moreover, you need to possess functional abilities, demonstrate cognitive skills such as language ability, have social skills such as interpersonal communication skills and show the physical strength and stamina necessary to perform job duties.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives
As the face of the pharmaceutical industry, sales representatives are an essential component of how companies market their products. The number of US pharmaceutical sales representatives in 2021 was 555 million USD. This implies several prospects for BSNs who wish to pursue this line of work.
Sales reps promote a specific product to doctors and other healthcare professionals. They must be able to adequately present product details to fulfill the doctor’s needs and interests. Sales reps may also serve as a liaison between customers and manufacturers by gathering feedback from both parties on how they feel about various products.
Medical Writers
A medical writer is a lucrative opportunity for those who have a BSN, are interested in writing, and are interested in medicine. It’s estimated that the global medical writing market will be worth 8.4 billion USD by 2030. This is one career path that could be very successful for you.
Medical writers are responsible for writing content for medical journals, textbooks and other documents. They must also know how to read scientific papers and be outstanding writers. This assures the delivery of complex concepts in non-technical language that anyone else can understand.
Medical Researchers
Medical researchers research the causes, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They also develop new drugs and therapies for diseases. They work in hospitals, universities and pharmaceutical companies.
Medical researchers’ career prospects are likely to rise by 17% by 2023, up from 119,200 in 2021. Job opportunities are expected to be high because there need to be more people with PhDs or other advanced degrees to fill these positions.
Home Health Care Nurse
Home health care nurses are at the forefront of home-based care. They work with patients who are recovering from surgery or illness, need help managing chronic conditions, or simply want to live independently in their own homes.
Home health things like feeding and showering. But home health nurses have more specialized training for these tasks. For example, CRNPs can prescribe medication and diagnose illnesses based on patient information gathered during an initial visit.
Home health care professionals may specialize in wound care management or critical care nursing. If you’re interested in this career path, it’s essential to know that salaries vary widely depending on your level of expertise and experience.
Generally speaking, though, most home health aides’ median pay is $14.50 per hour, which is about $29K annually for total full-time hours worked per year.
Nursing Informatics Specialist
In this sector, you will maintain electronic health records and other information systems that support top-class patient service. Your responsibilities will include keeping patient health records up to date and in adherence to rules.
This means you must understand medical terminology and confidentiality when accessing medical records and know how to use and update medical software. You’ll also have a hand in designing appropriate policies for using this technology within your facility or organization.
BSN-educated nurses often possess a broader knowledge base and critical thinking skills, allowing them to provide high-quality patient care, take on leadership roles, and pursue advanced nursing specialties or graduate education if desired.
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse
Did you know that 56.8 million people are seeking palliative services? Yet only 14% of those patients receive this type of care. These experts give solace, assistance, and information to chronically ill sufferers and their families. This type of nurse also works with patients who are in chronic pain.
Palliative care is a particular type of nursing that involves caring for the patient’s physical and emotional needs. They assist them in achieving the highest possible level of well-being during their final days. The goal is to improve overall well-being throughout the process rather than just treating symptoms that arise when the disease becomes advanced.
Forensic Nurse Consultant
Forensic nurses work in the legal system, often as expert witnesses. They help lawyers and judges understand medical evidence by evaluating patients or reviewing medical records. Forensic nurses may also appear in court as specialists.
The career track involves working both in hospitals and private practice settings. They work alongside attorneys specializing in criminal law or civil litigation cases. Some forensic nurses specialize in one type of case, while others perform examinations for two kinds of cases.
Conclusion
Many lucrative opportunities for BSN professionals await. There is a need for these nurses to fill in the gaps between the generalist nurse and those who have specialties. With this in mind, you must stay up-to-date on the latest trends to get your foot in the door of any of these careers.
