What Can You Do with a BSN?

Wondering what can you do with a BSN? Or if it’s even worth the effort it takes to earn your degree? There are so many potential opportunities for a nurse with a BSN, and yes. It is definitely worth the effort to earn your degree. 

Keep reading for details on the career paths, average salary, and job demand for BSN RNs. Whether you’re just beginning to consider nursing careers with a BSN, looking to advance your education in an LPN to BSN Bridge, or making a career change, this guide will give you a full picture of the possibilities a BSN RN can bring. 

What Is a BSN?

A BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is a four-year degree program that prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RNs) or to take on more advanced RN positions. BSN RN degrees are typically offered at accredited colleges and  universities. BSN programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience to fully prepare students to succeed as nurses after graduation.

Upon graduation from a BSN RN program, students must also pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) to become licensed to practice as an RN. NOTE: If you have chosen to advance your career from an associate-prepared or ADN RN to a BSN RN, you will not need to pass the NCLEX-RN a second time. 

Jobs You Can Get With a BSN

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) opens the door to a wide range of nursing career opportunities beyond entry-level roles. With a BSN, you can work in specialized clinical areas such as critical care, pediatrics, oncology, and emergency nursing.

A BSN also qualifies nurses for leadership and administrative positions, including nurse manager, charge nurse, or case manager. BSN-prepared nurses are often preferred for jobs in magnet-status hospitals, which prioritize higher education among staff. Additionally, a BSN is typically required for roles in public health, research, informatics, and education, and it serves as a stepping stone for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator through graduate study.

Overall, a BSN provides greater career flexibility, higher earning potential, and more opportunities for advancement in the nursing field.

Clinical Roles for BSN RN Nurses

1. Registered Nurse (RN)

As an RN with BSN, you will have the opportunity to work in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers, home healthcare services, and other locations.

Many BSN RN nurses choose to work in hospitals where they provide specialized patient care in various departments such as emergency room, intensive care unit, labor and delivery, medical-surgical units, and others. 

While RNs with associate degrees can also work in these settings, a BSN often provides an edge in hiring and advancement.

2. Travel Nurse

With your BSN, you can also work as a travel nurse, filling short-term nursing assignments in various locations across the country (and sometimes internationally), often with higher pay and benefits than more traditional RN jobs. Many travel nurse agencies prefer BSN-prepared nurses due to the complexity and independence required on the job.

3. School Nurse

Many school systems hire RNs with a BSN degree to care for students and manage health plans while school is in session.

4. Home Health Nurse or Hospice Nurse

BSN-prepared nurses can specialize in providing care at patients' homes, particularly for those managing chronic illness, post-surgical recovery, or end-of-life care.

5. Public Health Nurse 

With a BSN, you can work in community health settings, educating populations about disease prevention and managing chronic conditions. Public health nurses often work with vulnerable populations in schools, clinics, and government health departments.

Specialized Nursing Roles with a BSN

Once you have your BSN and some experience, you can pursue specialized certifications and roles such as: Operating Room Nurse, Oncology Nurse, Cardiac Care Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Informatics Nurse, and Case Manager.

These specialties often require additional training or certification, but a BSN is frequently the minimum educational requirement.

Leadership and Administrative Roles with a BSN

A BSN also qualifies you for leadership and management positions in nursing. These roles include: Charge Nurse or Nurse Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Nurse Manager, or Quality Improvement Coordinator.

These administrative and nurse leader positions allow you to influence care delivery, manage teams, and oversee unit performance—key responsibilities in driving better patient outcomes.

Non-Bedside Careers for BSN Nurses

Not all BSN-prepared nurses work at the bedside. Some leverage their clinical knowledge in non-traditional roles such as:

Nurse Educator - Although many academic positions require a master’s degree, nurses with a BSN can teach in clinical settings or serve as patient educators.

Healthcare Recruiter - With clinical experience and a BSN, you could work for staffing agencies to help place nurses in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Medical or Pharmaceutical Sales Representative - Many companies prefer hiring BSN-prepared professionals for sales roles because of their medical knowledge and communication skills.

Utilization Review or Insurance Nurse - BSN nurses may review treatment plans, assess medical necessity, or act as liaisons between healthcare providers and insurance companies.

How Much Can You Earn With a BSN?

Even in entry-level BSN RN jobs, you can earn a competitive salary. According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for BSN-prepared registered nurses is around $95,000. In comparison, the average salary for an ADN-prepared RN is $78,000 per year. 

Advanced Education Opportunities  

A BSN is a necessary step on your path to pursuing higher-level graduate education, including:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  

With a BSN, you can enter graduate-level programs that open the door to advanced practice roles and significantly higher earning potential.

Is a BSN Right for You?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) qualifies you to sit for your RN license and is a stepping stone to higher-level nursing education. You may choose to earn a BSN immediately after high school, after working as an LPN or other healthcare professional for a few years, or when changing careers entirely. 

If you’re an LPN, it’s possible to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in an LPN to BSN Bridge program that you can complete while working full time. You can even choose to begin a program, like those through Achieve Test Prep, which allows you to make lower monthly payments as you work toward your degree instead of paying up front at the beginning of each semester. 

With a BSN, you will be entering an in-demand profession as a Registered Nurse with job security and opportunities for advancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth in RN jobs and the need for over 197,000 additional RNs in the next 8 years and more and more hospitals now prefer or require nurses to hold a BSN — especially those hospitals pursuing Magnet Recognition.  

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

So, what can you do with a BSN? A lot. From bedside care in hospitals to leadership positions that impact the future of healthcare, BSN RN jobs open the door to meaningful, high-paying opportunities. If you’re ready to begin a career as an RN with bachelor’s degree, there is a path to help you achieve your goals.