What Jobs Am I Qualified for With a Bachelor’s in Nursing?

Bachelor's in Nursing

The nursing field is one that’s loaded with opportunities, and an individual with a bachelor’s in nursing is qualified for many exciting and lucrative career options. A bachelor’s in nursing takes about four years to complete, but individuals who obtain advanced nursing training and certifications in specialized areas of nursing are qualified for a wide variety of healthcare related occupations. Although an individual may become a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing will open up many more doors. Here are some top-paying jobs for someone with a bachelor’s in nursing.

Critical Care Nurse

Critical care nurses use their specialized skills and comprehensive knowledge of the latest medical technology to help care for critically ill patients. They work in hospitals, outpatient facilities and nursing homes caring for children, infants or adults. A critical care nurse’s main duties include assessing critically ill patients, operating life support systems and providing intervention and intense therapy services. RNs with a bachelor’s degree can obtain their critical care nurse training on the job and may obtain several certifications through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

Surgical Nurse

A surgical nurse is an RN who assists surgeons during surgeries and other medical procedures. While the surgical nurse’s main duties involve assisting during surgeries, they may also be in charge of preparation and follow-up care stages. Their duties include taking and monitoring vital signs; providing pre- and post-operative care; assisting with the surgery; setting up IVs and more. Becoming a surgical nurse requires completion of a 2-year peri-operative nurse training program. Nurse Journal ranks surgical nurse at the No.1 position for RNs with a bachelor’s degree

Clinical Nurse Educator

Although clinical nurse educators typically have a master’s degree, an RN with a bachelor’s degree can work in this capacity by obtaining experience and completing some graduate courses in nursing education. Clinical nurse educators teach and train practical nurses and nursing students in a clinical setting. The clinical nurse educator may also be in charge of developing a nursing program’s curricula once he or she has completed some clinical nurse education classes. They may choose nursing overall or may specialize in a specific area such as critical care, pediatrics or geriatrics to name a few.

Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse is just what the title implies. It’s an RN who focuses his or her work on pediatric care. They work in hospitals, clinics and outpatient facilities providing care to babies and children up to the age of 18. They assess children, diagnose illnesses, diseases and injuries, and provide treatment to children. To become a pediatric nurse, an individual with a bachelor’s in nursing must complete specialized pediatric nurse training and obtain the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board by passing the exam.

Clinical Nurse Manager

Individuals with a bachelor’s in nursing may choose to work as clinical nurse managers once they’ve obtained some experience working as an RN. Their duties include overseeing the nursing staff, collaborating with physicians on patient care, completing nursing staff documentation and acting as liaisons between physicians, nursing staff and the healthcare facility. The American Organization of Nurse Executives offers the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) certification to clinical nurse managers with at least two years of experience in the role of nursing manager.

Related Resource: The 25 Best Bachelors in Nursing Online Degree Programs for 2018

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs could experience an employment growth of 15 percent during the 2016-2026 decade. The continuing demand for qualified RNs is growing more every year, and those with a bachelor’s in nursing should see the best opportunities.