What are the Top Paying Nursing Careers that Require a BSN?
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Even though becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is one of the top five highest paying jobs available for nurses with an online degree, many Registered Nurses choose to pursue their RN to BSN programs online in order to further their careers, and also their salaries. With literally hundreds of career paths to follow after obtaining a BSN, nurses are not short on opportunity, or demand. In fact, according to an article¹ on RegisteredNursing.org, this may be one of the best years to start a career in nursing in part because of the high demand.
A career in nursing is typically a reliable, well-paid job with plenty of benefits and often times the career you choose can be as demanding or as flexible as one prefers. Nurses should consider though, that often with flexibility and easier hours comes lower pay. For example, one of the best nursing jobs available nationwide is as a school nurse where, though annual salaries may not be super competitive, the hours are a reliable five days a week with weekends and summers off. Additionally, treatment usually includes wellness checks and minor illnesses or injuries verse the intensity nurses working in an ER may find on a day-to-day basis. It is a trade-off either way, but the point is that nurses have options when it comes to choosing a career. Earning an online RN to BSN degree will expand those options.
Since statistically BSNs make higher salaries, have greater job opportunities, and can advance more easily, online RN to BSN programs is gaining popularity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports² that the median salary for an RN with a BSN was $69,490 in 2021, with wages on the rise. Additionally, because of the high demand for BSN nurses across the nation, the need for traveling nurses is on the rise.
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Obtaining an online RN to BSN can do wonders though for any career nurse. Surgical Nurses, whose primary roles are to provide assistance during surgeries and medical procedures, including setting up equipment or pre- and post-operation care, benefit from a competitive workforce and engaging career while earning above the average salary annually: On average, Surgical Nurses earn $76,197 annually.
Pediatric Nurses, nurses who specialize in care for infants through 18-year-olds, also benefit greatly from earning an online RN to BSN and they additionally need to obtain their CPN license through specialized training. Salaries average between $41,000 – $67,500 annually.
You may be surprised to learn that Hospice Nurses also make a high living wage, typically through an hourly rate at about $30/hour on average. These are just a few examples of higher-paying BSN career opportunities available for students who obtain their online RN to BSN.
Other high-paying nursing careers that require an RN to BSN include ICU Nursing and Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing. The three highest paying Nursing careers overall, that require additional education after obtaining your Online RN to BSN degree are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Researchers, and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
These examples brush the surface of the many, high paying and benefit-heavy career options out there for nurses with a BSN degree, and with so much to choose from, individuals with their BSN tend to find just the right fit when it comes to a career, leading a happy, balanced professional life.
sources:
¹Registered Nursing Organization
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