A bachelor’s degree is many people’s first step to a new career. But it’s often the last thing you think about when you’re in your final year of nursing school. Earning a BSN can open the door to several potential careers, including teaching and management positions. If you want more information about your options after earning an accelerated BSN degree, continue reading.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses are the most common type of healthcare professional. They provide medical care to patients and their families in various settings. RNs may find themselves working as nurses in general hospitals or specialized clinics. They can even become flight attendants with airlines requiring medical personnel.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 30,47,530 registered nurses were employed in 2021. RNs are responsible for the healthcare needs of patients under their care. It includes everything from monitoring vital signs to delivering patient education programs about managing chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes.
To be an RN, you must hold a BSN degree. The good thing is that you have many options for getting into online accelerated second degree BSN programs. One of the most popular options is to go online.
The convenience and flexibility of an online program make it a good choice for many students. You can work at your own pace from the comfort of your home. If you need to take time off, there is no problem with taking an occasional break from school or switching programs.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are responsible for teaching students in nursing programs at the college or university level. They prepare students to pass the nursing licensure examination. In addition, they train them to work in different settings and prepare them for the challenges of being a nurse.
Nurse educators can work in different institutions, including hospitals, universities, private practices, and public health units. Nurse educators usually have a master’s degree in nursing or a related field and at least two years of experience as a nurse. They are also required to obtain a teaching certificate from the state where they plan to work.
This profession is very lucrative and promising. US nurse educators earn an average annual salary of $105,281 approximately. However, it can vary between $87,950 and $117,473.
Clinical Nurse Leader
Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) have at least a graduate degree in nursing. They work in hospitals and other healthcare settings, including doctors’ offices and clinics. CNLs are responsible for managing the care of patients, as well as supervising other nurses. As such, they must possess high levels of expertise in clinical practice and leadership skills.
An online accelerated BSN program may provide you with the necessary education to become a CNL after graduation.
To qualify for this position, you commonly need to have at least a degree from an accredited nursing school. However, some employers may prefer candidates who have earned their doctorates or PhDs instead.
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Nursing informatics (NI) is a specialized area of nursing that focuses on collecting, storing, and analyzing data related to patient care. NI specialists ensure that the technology used in healthcare settings is available to meet healthcare needs. They also manage information technology systems, analyze data and develop new ways to use data effectively in clinical practice.
NI specialists work with other healthcare team members to develop or improve technical systems used by nurses and other staff members. It can include designing computerized systems for ordering supplies, tracking prescriptions, and monitoring equipment usage.
It also helps create electronic medical records, manage databases, maintain software applications, and manage information security policies. Also Read – How To Become a Detective: Education and Career Roadmap
Advance Practice Nurse (APN)
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are advanced nursing professionals who provide primary and specialty care to people of all ages. APNs often work in community settings such as clinics, private physician offices, and public health clinics.
APNs can focus on various populations, including adults, children, or the elderly. However, APN education is always connected through supervised clinical experience. It allows you to get hands-on training while exploring your interests and specialization areas.
You will learn to take vital signs, perform physical exams, make diagnoses and prescribe treatments for patients while working under the supervision of licensed physicians.
Health Care Consultant
You could become a health care consultant. A healthcare consultant provides advice to the healthcare industry. You may be already working in this field, or you may have some experience in healthcare and want to get more involved with it.
The important thing is that you want to help people and are willing to put in the hard work required for this job description.
As a healthcare consultant, you will provide medical billing and coding, quality management, purchasing, strategic planning, and policy development services. Your clients will usually be hospitals or large clinics that serve patients from many different areas of specialty practices.
According to Zippia, 62% of healthcare consultants hold bachelor’s degrees, while 21% hold master’s degrees in the US. Because consultants often work alone on projects rather than being part of a team environment, those with an accelerated BSN degree program background require strong leadership skills.
Case Manager or Coordinator
Case managers are healthcare professionals who help patients and their families navigate the healthcare system. They are usually registered nurses, social workers, or licensed practical nurses. Case managers are also referred to as coordinators because they help coordinate patient care and access community resources and other social services that improve their well-being.
It could be an excellent career option if you want a job helping others stay healthy.
To become a case manager, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then complete an internship. You can also earn a master’s degree in social work or public health and then take specialized classes in case management. Most hospitals have case management programs, but some independent agencies also provide this service.
The profession is witnessing a continuous rise in the country. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare management services is projected to grow by 28% between 2021 and 2031.
Bachelor’s Degree Can Open Door to Many Potential Careers
Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many different careers. Not only will you have a much better shot at getting hired, but you’ll be able to get a job in various settings and locations. Plus, because the coursework is flexible, busy people with full-time jobs can still complete it over several years if necessary.
Bachelor’s degree is easier to secure than a master’s program and also provides a good foundation for further study. An accelerated BSN program can be completed in as little as 12 months and can be done online. To get started on your career path, take some time to do some research on what you might want out of this next step in your life.