“Non-nursing jobs for nurses” sounds like an oxymoron, right? However, it’s far from it.
Perhaps you went to nursing school and got your degree, but you’re not sure you want to do bedside nursing. Don’t worry: Your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) won’t go to waste. Or, perhaps you haven’t gone to nursing school yet, but you’re trying to get an idea of potential career paths and wondering what to do after a BSN.
Whatever position you find yourself in, you’re in the right place. For anyone thinking about using this credential creatively, this article will answer the question, “What can you do with a BSN degree besides nursing?”
Thirteen jobs you can do with a BSN degree besides nursing
After completing a BSN program, you’ve not only proven you’re capable of nursing, but also you’ve proven you’re capable of learning and learning well. And there are many skills you’ve taken on to become a healthcare professional that any employer would value. So, if you’re asking, “What can I do besides nursing with my nursing degree?” You can work in almost any field you want. Registered nurses work as educators, writers, consultants and business people. And, yes, some of them work in hospitals, too.
So, what to do with your nursing degree? Read on to find the right fit for you.
Nurse educator
Are you a natural teacher? You may want to consider putting your degree to work by becoming a nurse educator. You’ll teach other nurses, train staff and help healthcare environments implement policies—a perfect role for those who have already had clinical experience.
Nurse researcher
If you’re an introvert or a bookworm, one of the best bachelor’s in nursing jobs you can land is as a researcher. You won’t have direct interaction with patients, but your studies will influence widespread changes in patient care. It’s time to suit up in your best lab coat (and if you happen to need one, we’ve got you covered).
Pharmaceutical rep
If you have a knack for sales and want to stay within the field of medicine, consider pursuing a lucrative career with a pharmaceutical company. Jobs in sales are flexible, so you can spend more time with your family or use your nursing skills to give back to your community in your free time.
Writer
No, we’re not talking about that future bestseller you’ve been writing on your days off. When we say “writer,” we mean a curriculum or article writer. Use your nursing knowledge to create content on the subject for websites or nursing programs. And don’t feel bad about working behind the scenes. Your words will reach a broad audience.
IT Nurse
Technology is integral for the healthcare industry, and medical facilities (and the people who work there) need some help figuring it out. As an informatics nurse, you’ll consult on what type of technology could work well in a healthcare environment or even use tech to help determine patient outcomes.
Legal nurse consultant
Was your second career choice becoming a lawyer? You can have the best of both worlds as a legal consultant. Use your knowledge of medicine to pull together relevant information for investigations and court cases.
Nurse lobbyist
If you like politics and want to make far-reaching changes, consider becoming a lobbyist. You’ll help influence lawmaking and consult on some of the most important issues in healthcare systems that affect communities and society as a whole.
Community organizer
If you’re not sure you want to work on Capitol Hill but want to make widespread changes to public health issues, go grassroots. In this career, you’ll organize your community around common wellness goals.
Marketing consultant
Like the business aspect of healthcare? Make an impact by using your BSN to help market products to clients for a company you believe in.
Coach
Get in the game as a fitness or health coach. In this approach to a healthcare career, you’ll help people reach their dietary and exercise goals by using your rigorous expertise (no fake health fads for you!). You’ll use your medical knowledge to help clients make safe and healthful lifestyle changes that work.
Grant writer
If you possess the power of the pen and want to put it to good work raising money for healthcare environments, learn how to write an excellent proposal. You’ll help hospitals fill the monetary gaps in their operations. Plus, you can pick up extra work writing grants for clients in other fields.
Healthcare compliance specialist
Compliance is key to ensuring that healthcare facilities correctly carry out processes and policies. Catching inconsistencies can result in significant changes in patient safety. Put on your healthcare hero cape and get in there!
Hospitality manager
What do nursing and travel have in common? Dealing with the unknown. Not all nursing skills are clinical, and you can apply other abilities like organization, communication and quick thinking to a career in the travel industry. Your clinical nursing knowledge won’t hurt either, as you can rise to the occasion if any health issues come up among guests.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing FAQs
What is the highest paying job with a BSN?
Don’t be ashamed to let earnings guide you toward your future career. Salary is an important factor, and being compensated well for your hard work can lead to better job satisfaction. Pharmaceutical reps and IT nurses are among the highest-earning “non-nurses,” with an average salary of around $80,000 annually in the United States.
What is the most challenging nursing specialty?
Thinking about staying in your nursing career but specializing in something new? That’s another way to put your BSN to work. Of course, this question is relative, but oncology, surgery, geriatrics, psychiatry and emergency care demand a lot from the healthcare professionals who commit themselves to it.
We support whatever career choice you make, even if it doesn’t require scrubs. Come to us for more content like this and loungewear because, no matter what field you work in, we know you’ll want to be (and deserve to be) comfortable at the end of the day.