Five High-Paying Jobs for a BSN

High-Paying Jobs for a BSN

• Surgical Nurse

• Pediatric Nurse

• ICU Nurse

• Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse

• Hospice Nurse

There are many high-paying jobs for graduates of a BSN. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a degree program chosen by candidates who want careers in nursing. Unlike diploma and associate degree nursing programs, which also allow graduates to become registered nurses (RNs), BSN programs prepare students to work not just as RNs but also in specialized areas of nursing. A graduate of a BSN program can advance his or her education or just obtain work experience and then branch out into various areas of nursing. There are great opportunities for the RN who favors one specific area of nursing and wants a career in that area. Here are five high-paying jobs for a BSN graduate.

Surgical Nurse

A surgical nurse is an RN who assists surgeons during surgeries and similar medical procedures. A surgical nurse’s duties include prepping the area for surgery; monitoring and taking vital signs; communicating with the patient and family members; setting up IVs and providing post-operative care. Surgical nurses work both in and out of the operating room providing care to surgical patients. Surgical nurses with a BSN typically complete a peri-operative nurse training program. According to a May 2018 report by PayScale, surgical nurses earned an average annual wage of $62,030. Nurse Journal ranked surgical nurses No. 1 among high-paying jobs with a BSN.

Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse is an RN who works in the pediatric department of a hospital or clinic. He or she focuses the care on babies and children up to the age of 18. Pediatric nurses assess a child’s condition, diagnose illnesses, injuries and diseases, and provide appropriate treatment. To become a pediatric nurse, the RN with the BSN must complete specialized training and earn the Certified Practical Nursing credential by passing the certification exam. As of May 2018, pediatric nurses earned an average annual wage of $57,546.

ICU Nurse

An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse is an RN who works in the intensive care unit of a hospital and provides round-the-clock care to patients in critical condition. They often assist and collaborate with physicians to ensure the patient is receiving the best possible medical care. An RN with a BSN can typically become an ICU nurse without completing additional training, but working as an ICE nurse usually brings higher wages and better benefits. Their duties include taking and monitoring vital signs, administering medication, preventing infection and evaluating the patient’s overall condition. Intensive Care Unit nurses earned an average annual salary of $63,973 as of May 2018. The ICU nurse also communicates with the patient’s family and tries to reassure them.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse

Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurses work alongside OBGYN doctors, physicians and midwives and assist them in providing prenatal and post-partum care to pregnant women and those who have just given birth. They also provide care to women with reproductive or female issues. In addition to providing the basic duties of an OBGYN nurse, they also help educate expectant and new mothers on pregnancy and baby care. They typically work in maternity wards of hospitals or in private physicians’ offices. Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurses earned an average annual wage of $61,640 as of May 2018.

Hospice Nurse

A hospice nurse is an RN who provides care to patients at the end of their lives, usually in the patient’s home. They provide basic nursing care, provide emotional support to the patient and family, educate the family on the patient’s needs, ensure the patient has maximum comfort, provide the family with referrals and provide and other care as needed. An RN with a BSN who wishes to work as a hospice nurse typically finds the best career opportunities by earning the Certified Hospice Palliative Nurse credential. As of May 2018, hospice nurses earned an average annual wage of $63,085.

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 job growth of up to 15 percent during the years 2016-2026. RNs who work in specific areas of nursing typically experience more career opportunities and higher wages. Candidates who with the right training can work in any one of the above five high-paying jobs aimed at a BSN graduate.