Nursing Careers for Bachelor's Graduates
Are you considering a career in nursing? In this article, we’ll cover key aspects of pursuing nursing careers as a Bachelor's graduate.
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Are you considering a career in nursing but unsure about the available options and paths? Perhaps you're wondering if it’s possible to have a satisfying nursing career from the comfort of your home. Good news: the field of nursing is rich with diverse opportunities!
Let’s explore the various nursing careers you can pursue and how nursing degrees can set you on the right path.
Nursing careers for Bachelor's grads
Nursing stands as the nation's largest healthcare profession, with nearly 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) in the US. What's more, nursing is rated as one of the most rewarding careers in the world. This robust community of professionals serves a critical role in healthcare, offering opportunities that range from bedside care to specialized medical fields.
1. Registered Nurse (RN)
💰 Average base salary: $74,702 per year
The backbone of healthcare, Registered Nurses provide direct patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. RNs work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
Why it’s great:
- Demand: Continues to grow with an expected job growth of 7% from 2019 to 2029 (US BLS).
- Versatility: Opportunities in various settings including hospitals, schools, and private practices.
2. Pediatric Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $69,040 per year
Pediatric Nurses specialize in the care of children, from infancy through adolescence. They work in hospitals, pediatricians' offices, and clinics.
Why it’s great:
- Rewarding: Opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.
- Specialized skills: Focus on unique pediatric health needs.
3. Critical Care Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $104,000 per year
These nurses work in intensive care units (ICU) and other critically ill patient settings, providing specialized care to patients with severe, life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Why it’s great:
- High stakes: Fast-paced environment requiring advanced skills.
- Team work: Collaborate with healthcare professionals in critical situations.
4. Nurse Educator
💰 Average base salary: $84,552 per year
Nurse Educators combine clinical expertise with a passion for teaching. They work in academic settings, helping to train the next generation of nurses.
Why it’s great:
- Influence: Shape future nurses' careers.
- Flexible schedule: Often have more regular hours.
5. Travel Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $105,021 per year
Travel Nurses move between healthcare facilities, often filling temporary vacancies. This career offers the chance to travel and experience different work environments and locations.
Why it’s great:
- Variety: Work in various locations and settings.
- Adventure: Opportunity to explore new places.
6. Nurse Administrator
💰 Average base salary: $96,538 per year
In this leadership role, Nurse Administrators manage nursing staff and oversee healthcare delivery. They ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and often work at hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities.
Why it’s great:
- Leadership: Influence policy and operations.
- Scope: More strategic and high-level oversight.
7. Public Health Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $72,314 per year
Public Health Nurses work in communities rather than clinical settings. They focus on improving community health and wellness through education, policy development, and outreach.
Why it’s great:
- Community impact: Improve health on a large scale.
- Outreach: Engage with the community directly.
8. Oncology Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $82,214 per year
Specializing in the care of cancer patients, Oncology Nurses assist with treatment plans, patient education, and supportive care throughout the cancer treatment process.
Why it’s great:
- Specialized expertise: Focus on cancer care.
- Patient relationships: Long-term patient interaction.
9. Home Health Nurse
💰 Average base salary: $71,526 per year
Home Health Nurses provide healthcare services to patients at home, including post-surgery care, chronic illness management, and elderly care.
Why it’s great:
- Personalized care: One-on-one patient interaction.
- Autonomy: More independent working conditions.
10. Nurse Researcher
💰 Average base salary: $81,500 per year
Nurse Researchers conduct studies to improve healthcare services and outcomes. They work in research institutions, universities, and healthcare facilities.
Why it’s great:
- Innovation: Contribute to groundbreaking medical research.
- Academic environment: Collaborate with scientists and healthcare professionals.
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Nursing careers from home: remote nursing jobs
The digital age has expanded the scope of nursing careers beyond traditional settings.
If you're interested in pursuing nursing careers from home, consider these options:
1. Telehealth nurse
Telehealth nursing has become increasingly popular, especially with advancements in technology and the rise of telemedicine.
As a telehealth nurse, you’ll provide patient care and consultations via phone or video calls.
This role typically includes:
- Assessing symptoms
- Providing medical advice
- Scheduling follow-up appointments
2. Nurse case manager
Nurse case managers work closely with patients to coordinate their long-term healthcare plans.
This may include everything from liaising with doctors and other healthcare providers to ensuring patients receive the necessary medical services and support.
Most of the work is done over the phone or online, making it an ideal remote nursing job.
3. Clinical research coordinator
If you’re interested in the medical research field, consider becoming a clinical research coordinator.
This role involves:
- Managing clinical trials and studies
- Ensuring protocols are followed
- Keeping detailed records
While some duties require fieldwork, much of the coordination can be handled remotely.
4. Nurse educator
Nurse educators play a vital role in training future nurses. This nursing career is perfect for experienced nurses looking to share their knowledge and contribute to the education of the next generation.
As a nurse educator, you will:
- Create lesson plans
- Teach online courses
- Mentor nursing students
5. Triage nurse
Triage nurses have the crucial job of assessing patients over the phone to determine the urgency and level of care required.
Triage nurses:
- Provide initial assessments and medical advice
- Guide patients on whether to seek immediate care or manage symptoms at home
This role requires strong communication skills and medical knowledge, but offers the comfort of working remotely.
6. Medical coding and billing nurse
For those interested in the administrative side of healthcare, becoming a medical coding and billing nurse could be an excellent choice.
These nurses ensure medical procedures are properly coded for insurance and billing purposes.
This job requires a keen eye for detail and comprehensive coding training.
7. Health coach
Health coaching is a growing field where nurses provide personalized health advice, wellness plans, and lifestyle coaching to clients.
Health coaches work with patients to:
- Set and achieve health goals
- Manage chronic illnesses
- Promote overall wellness
How to start your nursing career
Pursuing a nursing career begins with obtaining the right education. Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting your journey:
- Earn a nursing degree: Enroll in an accredited nursing program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN not only prepares you for the RN licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) but also opens doors to advanced and specialized nursing fields.
- Get licensed: After earning your degree, pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse. This license is essential for practicing nursing in the USA.
- Gain experience: Start working in general medical-surgical settings to gain valuable experience. It’s essential to explore different specialties early on to find your passion.
Types of nursing degrees
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Key takeaways:
⏰ Duration: 4 years
📐 Scope: In-depth training, advanced roles, leadership
💼 Job market: High preference in many healthcare settings
A BSN is a four-year degree that offers advanced training and comprehensive education. With a BSN, you'll be eligible for more specialized roles and leadership positions within the healthcare field. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities prefer or even require a BSN for new hires.
Upon graduation, you'll be able to participate in advanced roles such as:
- Community and public health
- Acute and critical care
- Long-term care
- Outpatient car
The demand for RNs extends to those with a BSN, giving you an edge in the job market. You'll also be well-positioned for further specialization or advanced study later in your career.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Key takeaways:
⏰ Duration: 2 years
📐 Scope: Preparation for NCLEX-RN, broader patient care
💼 Projected job openings: 194,500 annually
An ADN program is a two-year degree that prepares you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This program offers a balanced mix of classroom instruction and clinical experience, allowing you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam upon graduation.
Upon graduation, an ADN will allow you to:
- Perform health assessments
- Administer vaccines
- Administer IVs
- Dress wounds
- Develop patient plans
An Associate's degree can also be completed as an initial step toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and is often used as an entry point to a nursing career.
RNs are in high demand, with around 194,500 job openings annually projected by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Key takeaways:
⏰ Duration: About 1 year
📐 Scope: Basic patient care under RN supervision
💼 Projected job openings: 60,700 annually
An LPN or LVN program is a great entry point into nursing. These programs typically take about one year to complete and offer a fast track into the healthcare field. As an LPN/LVN, you'll provide basic care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be approximately 60,700 job openings per year for LPNs/LVNs by 2030.
Conclusion
There are many exciting avenues to explore if you’re interested in nursing careers and nursing careers from home. Nursing careers are challenging but incredibly rewarding as they allow you to make a significant impact on patients' lives.
If you’re considering pursuing a degree in nursing, now is a great time to explore these opportunities and plan your educational path accordingly.
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Keystone Team
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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.
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