What Can You Do With a BSN? Career Paths, Salaries, and Emerging Roles

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs prepare nurses to work across a wide range of in-demand settings and specialties, from traditional clinical roles in hospitals to emerging opportunities in telehealth and nursing informatics. Whether you're launching your first career, pursuing a second degree, or transitioning from another field, a BSN equips you with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing healthcare job market.

Tulane University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) program offers a fast-paced, structured approach for students eager to enter the nursing profession. In just 16 months, students gain the foundation needed to pursue a broad range of nursing occupations.

This article provides a wide-ranging overview of what you can do with a BSN, covering everything from well-established nursing roles to innovative jobs in public health, tech, and education.

Traditional Roles for BSN-Prepared Nurses

For many, earning a BSN is the first step toward becoming a registered nurse (RN), a title that remains central to modern healthcare delivery. BSN-prepared RNs work in diverse clinical environments, including:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Physician offices
• Rehabilitation centers
• Community health organizations

Their responsibilities typically include:

• Assessing patient conditions
• Administering medications and treatments
• Coordinating care plans
• Educating patients and families
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams

While associate degree programs can also lead to RN licensure, many employers now prefer or require a BSN. This preference is due to the BSN’s broader training in areas like critical thinking, leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice—skills that are essential in today’s complex healthcare systems.

Common job titles for BSN-prepared nurses include:

• Registered medical/surgical nurse
• Critical care RN
• Emergency room RN
• Labor and delivery RN
• Operating room RN
• Pediatric RN
• Oncology RN

Registered nurses earn an average annual income of $89,010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data; the top 10 percent of RNs earn more than $129,000 annually.

How a BSN Creates Career Flexibility and Growth

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is more than a pathway to initial RN licensure. It creates opportunities for career advancement in such areas as leadership, specialized care, and graduate education.

BSN-prepared nurses frequently qualify for charge nurse and nurse manager roles due to their training in communication and systems-based practice. Many hospitals also reserve positions in intensive care units, emergency departments, and labor and delivery for nurses with a BSN or higher.

Increased earning potential is another benefit. Nurses with a BSN tend to qualify for higher-paying positions, especially in magnet hospitals or academic medical centers that emphasize professional development. High-paying jobs in BSN specialization areas include:

• Cardiac care unit RN: $93,056 average salary (Sigma Nursing)
• ICU/critical care RN: $93,600 median income (BLS)
• Informatics RN: $103,790 median income (BLS)
• Neonatal ICU RN: $99,580 average salary (Sigma Nursing)
• Oncology RN: $111,162 average salary (Sigma Nursing)

The BSN also lays the groundwork for advanced degrees such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These graduate pathways lead to roles like nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, or healthcare administrator.

Non-Traditional and Emerging Roles With a BSN

As healthcare evolves, so do the roles available to BSN-prepared nurses. Many graduates are moving beyond hospital settings to work in public health, telehealth, case management, and other expanding fields. These roles, which typically offer greater flexibility, may appeal to career changers or professionals drawn to systems-level impact.

Beyond the Bedside: Public Health, Telehealth, and More

Public health nursing offers opportunities to work with communities rather than individual patients. These nurses design programs that address population health issues such as chronic disease prevention, maternal health, and vaccination outreach. They may work for government agencies, nonprofits, or school systems. According to Sigma Nursing, public health nurses earn an average annual salary of around $75,000.

Telehealth is another fast-growing field. Nurses in this space may conduct remote triage, provide patient education, or assist in virtual chronic care management. This role gained visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains in high demand as healthcare access shifts toward digital platforms. Telehealth triage nurses earn approximately $82,000 per year on average, according to Sigma Nursing.

Other non-bedside careers include:

• Case manager: Coordinates care for patients with complex needs; average salary, $73,200 (Sigma Nursing).
• Home health nurse: Delivers care in patients’ homes; average salary, $75,300.
• Legal nurse consultant: Supports legal teams with medical expertise; average salary, $113,000 (Sigma Nursing).
• Occupational health nurse: Promotes worker health and safety; average salary, $84,455 (Sigma Nursing).

These paths allow nurses to apply their clinical knowledge in diverse environments beyond bedside care.

Specialized Remote Careers: Informatics and Instruction

Technology and education have created new career options for BSN graduates with specialized interests.

Nursing informatics blends clinical experience with data analysis and information technology. Professionals in this field work on electronic health record implementation, clinical decision support systems, and workflow optimization. A strong grasp of both nursing practices and tech tools is essential. Informatics nurses earn a median income of $103,790, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Online nurse educators are also in demand as nursing programs expand their digital offerings. These instructors develop coursework, lead virtual simulations, and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. While many faculty roles require a graduate degree, a BSN paired with experience may qualify nurses to teach clinicals or foundational courses at some institutions.

Both fields offer remote-friendly work environments and appeal to nurses interested in innovation, education, or systems improvement.

How Tulane’s ABSN Prepares You for These Careers

Tulane University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) program is designed for students ready to launch nursing careers quickly. In just 16 months, students build a strong clinical foundation through early hands-on experience, simulation-based training, and coursework focused on leadership and critical thinking.

The program supports students from diverse backgrounds—including those transitioning from other careers—with faculty guidance and structured learning. Graduates are prepared not only for entry-level RN roles but also for emerging opportunities in public health, telehealth, informatics, and beyond.

A Launchpad for Diverse Nursing Careers

A BSN provides a launchpad for a wide range of nursing careers. Whether you're drawn to bedside care, remote work, or leadership roles, the degree offers flexibility and long-term growth. Tulane’s aBSN provides the academic rigor and real-world preparation needed to take that first step with confidence.

To learn more or start your application, visit Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement website.