Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can reshape your professional future in the nursing field. Whether you’re an RN looking to widen your career options, move into leadership, or explore non-bedside roles, a BSN degree can help you qualify for a range of nursing career paths across clinical, community, education, and corporate settings. Nevada State University’s online RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses who want that flexibility without putting life on hold, so keep this in mind when pondering the burning question: “What can you do with a BSN degree?”
Top Jobs You Can Get With a BSN Degree
So, what jobs can you get with a BSN? Below are some of the most common BSN-level roles you can pursue:
- Registered Nurse (Hospital or Clinical Settings)
- Charge Nurse
- Nurse Manager or Supervisor
- Telehealth Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- School Nurse
- Forensics Nurse
- Nurse Recruiter
- Nurse Educator (Staff or Patient Education)
- Quality Improvement Nurse
- Occupational or Corporate Health Nurse
Depending on your interests, you may also explore specialty nursing practice areas such as acute care, critical care, intensive care, mental health, or community health.
Hospital-Based Nursing Roles for BSN-Prepared Nurses
Hospital settings remain one of the most common environments for BSN-prepared nurses, especially those who want hands-on patient care, exposure to specialized units, and opportunities to grow into advanced responsibilities.
Registered Nurse
Hospital RNs provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor symptoms, and coordinate care with the broader clinical team. Common hospital settings include:
- Medical-surgical units
- Telemetry
- Intensive care or critical care
- Surgical services
BSN-prepared nurses possess strong critical thinking skills, which often makes them preferred in these fast-paced environments.
Charge Nurse
Charge nurses are often confused with nurse managers, but these are two distinct roles. A charge nurse coordinates the day-to-day flow of a unit. It’s a role that blends patient care with leadership, helping assign patients, support staff, and communicate priorities across shifts. Typical responsibilities may include:
- Delegating assignments based on acuity.
- Supporting new nurses and resolving issues.
- Serving as a point person for providers and families.
Nurse Manager or Supervisor
Nurse managers focus less on bedside care and more on staffing, scheduling, quality goals, and team performance. This role usually requires clinical experience, but a BSN can provide a strong foundation in leadership and systems-based practice. The role may involve:
- Overseeing unit operations and staffing plans
- Supporting onboarding and performance development
- Helping implement patient safety and quality initiatives
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses take short-term assignments across different facilities and regions, with many roles requiring experience in specific units (such as emergency or intensive care). Travel nursing can be a good fit if you want:
- More flexibility in where you live and work.
- Opportunities to build diverse clinical experience.
- Potential for higher pay during high-need seasons.
For higher-acuity placements, some employers prefer the expertise of BSN-prepared nurses.
Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
ER nurses care for patients with urgent, complex, or rapidly changing conditions. This work demands sharp assessment skills, quick prioritization, and calm communication under pressure. Responsibilities typically include:
- Triage and rapid assessment
- Stabilization and trauma support
- Patient and family communication in high-stress situations
Nursing Jobs Outside of the Hospital
Not every RN wants hospital shifts long-term — and many BSN-prepared nurses build meaningful careers in outpatient, remote, and community-based settings. These options still rely on clinical expertise, but often provide different schedules, environments, and long-term career paths.
Telehealth Nurse
Telehealth nurses support patients through virtual care, symptom triage, and chronic condition management. This is one of the fastest-growing areas of nursing practice, especially for patients who face barriers to in-person care. This role may include:
- Symptom assessment and next-step recommendations
- Medication and follow-up education
- Care coordination and referrals
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses focus on prevention, education, and population-level wellness. Rather than treating one patient at a time, this role supports community initiatives that improve health outcomes. Common focus areas include:
- Screening and prevention programs
- Immunization outreach
- Maternal-child health services
- Community education around mental health and wellness
School Nurse
School nurses manage student health needs during the school day, supporting everything from chronic conditions to emergency response planning. For nurses who enjoy working with children and families, this can be an especially impactful setting. Responsibilities may include:
- Managing medication and care plans (asthma, diabetes, allergies)
- Supporting student wellness and health education
- Responding to injuries and urgent symptoms
Forensics Nurse
Forensic nurses combine clinical expertise with careful documentation and evidence awareness. This role may involve caring for victims of violence, supporting sensitive exams, and coordinating with legal systems. This job often involves:
- Patient assessment and documentation of injuries
- Evidence-handling protocols
- Trauma-informed patient support
Nurse Recruiter
Nurse recruiters help healthcare organizations attract and hire qualified nursing talent. This is a strong option for nurses who prefer a people-focused role that’s still rooted in nursing knowledge. Typical responsibilities include:
- Interviewing and screening candidates
- Supporting onboarding and compliance documentation
- Building relationships with nursing programs and applicants
Non-Bedside Nursing Careers You Can Pursue with a BSN
Are you wondering: What can I do with a BSN besides bedside nursing? Many nurses step away from bedside roles and stay in the nursing field through education, quality, or corporate support positions.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators teach clinical skills and support professional development. Many nurse educators work inside hospitals, where they train staff, support onboarding, and help teams follow best practices. This role may involve:
- Training new hires and precepting nurses
- Building educational materials and competencies
- Supporting patient education programs
Quality Improvement Nurse
Quality improvement nurses focus on how care systems perform. They support patient safety, strengthen outcomes, and help teams improve processes in measurable ways. QI nurses often work on:
- Safety reporting and prevention initiatives
- Clinical workflow improvement
- Outcome tracking and compliance support
Occupational or Corporate Health Nurse
Occupational health nurses support employee wellness and workplace safety. Some nurses work onsite for a company, while others work within an occupational health clinic. This role may include:
- Treating minor injuries and supporting return-to-work plans
- Coordinating wellness programs and health screenings
- Providing safety education and compliance support
BSN Nurse Salary and Earning Potential
BSN salary potential varies based on location, experience, specialty, and workplace setting. In general, a BSN degree may increase access to higher-paying units, leadership pathways, and specialized roles.
Starting and Average Salary Considerations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for licensed practical nurses with certificates/diplomas in 2024 was $62,340. In comparison, the median pay for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree was $93,600. A BSN may increase earning potential by helping nurses qualify for:
- Specialty positions (ER, ICU, acute care)
- Charge roles and leadership tracks
- Non-bedside positions tied to quality, operations, or education
Highest-Paying States for Nurses
RN pay differs significantly by state, cost of living, and demand. Some of the highest-paying states include:
- California
- Hawaii
- Oregon
- Alaska
- Washington
- New York
Some nurses also increase income through overtime, shift differentials, travel assignments, and specialty certifications.
BSN vs. ADN: How Career Options Compare
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can qualify you to become a registered nurse, but a BSN can expand long-term nursing career paths — especially in competitive markets and specialized settings.
An ADN may support:
- Entry into RN roles and core nursing practice
- Fast start into bedside care
- Experience-building in hospital or outpatient environments
A BSN may support:
- Greater access to specialty units and complex care environments
- Stronger competitiveness for leadership roles
- Preparation for non-hospital careers like public health or telehealth
- A clearer path to graduate study
How an RN to BSN Program Supports Career Growth
Earning your BSN through an RN to BSN format can support professional growth without stepping away from work. These degree programs build leadership, communication, evidence-based practice, and system-level thinking, which are skills that apply across clinical, community, and non-clinical roles.
Nevada State University’s RN to BSN online program is designed to help working nurses move forward while balancing real-life responsibilities. Through a combination of foundational and specialized courses, it prepares RNs for advancement into leadership roles, expanding both career options and upward mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions About BSN Careers
How does having a BSN affect your salary opportunities?
A BSN can increase access to higher-paying units, shift differentials, and leadership pathways. Over time, it may also support advancement into specialized roles or positions tied to quality, education, or management.
What are the highest-paying jobs you can get with a BSN?
At the BSN level, higher pay often comes from specialty units (ER, ICU), travel nursing, shift differentials, and leadership roles like charge nurse or supervisor. Some top-earning nursing roles, such as advanced practice positions, require graduate education.
What entry-level positions are open to someone with a BSN?
Most BSN-prepared nurses begin as registered nurses in hospital units, outpatient clinics, long-term care, or community health. Many start in med-surg, telemetry, or other foundational units where broad skills develop quickly.
Are there jobs for BSN graduates who don’t have an RN license?
Most nursing positions require RN licensure. However, depending on the employer and state requirements, some healthcare-adjacent roles may be available, particularly in education support, care coordination, or administrative settings.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career at Nevada State University
A BSN can expand the roles you qualify for, the settings you can work in, and the direction your nursing career can take. Whether you want to specialize in acute care, pursue leadership, or explore non-bedside pathways, earning your bachelor’s degree can support more flexibility and long-term growth in the nursing field.
Nevada State’s RN to BSN online program is built for nurses who are already working as licensed professionals and want an efficient way to complete their bachelor’s in nursing education. Our online format includes both indirect and direct practice experiences, helping students apply concepts in real-world settings. Courses emphasize evidence-based nursing practice, improved health and safety, and patient-centered care — preparing nurses to navigate complex healthcare systems and evolving patient needs with confidence.
Ready to move forward? Request more information about the online RN to BSN program today.
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