BSN (Bachelor of Nursing) Average Salary & Career Options

If you want to become a registered nurse, you only need an associate’s degree. However, by going back to school to get your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), you’ll not only qualify for better jobs with more responsibilities, but you’ll also enjoy higher starting salaries. What kinds of jobs are open to you? Here are some of your career options, as well as the average salaries you can expect if you have a BSN:

Charge Nurse: $63,876
Clinical Nursing Manager: $74,338
Emergency Room Registered Nurse: $62,722
General Registered Nurse: $55,227
Nurse Case Manager: $60,937
Nursing Director: $73,834
Nursing Manager: $72,901

As you can see, you have the change to make a fairly high salary in the field of nursing if you have a bachelor’s degree. Getting your BSN only takes about four years, and if you already have an associate’s degree in nursing and your RN license, it only takes an addition one to two years of education. While nursing programs can be expensive out of pocket, you’ll make your money back in just a few years after graduating. Don’t forget that you’ll also often qualify for tuition reimbursement programs through your employer and government loan forgiveness programs.

You have other career choices as well if you go on to get your master’s degree, as you can then choose to become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife. Even if you don’t go on to get an advanced degree, you can often increase your salary just by moving. Location makes a big difference in the field of nursing. If you’re willing to live and work in a major city, especially in an area desperately in need of nurses, you can make a lot more money than if you work in a rural community with less of a need. There is a nursing shortage across the United States, but some areas are definitely more affected than others. The most nursing jobs are found in the founding metropolitan areas, according to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Rochester, Minnesota
Gainesville, Florida
La Crosse, Wisconsin-Minnesota
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Cumberland, Maryland-West Virginia

In all of these cities, you can expect an average salary of $42,000 to $64,000 per year, which isn’t too shabby. If you’re looking for the highest-paying nursing jobs in the country, though, check out the average salaries available at the following cities:

San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, California: $104,400
Visalia-Porterville, California: $103,660
San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City, California: $96,700
Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, California: $96,150
Napa, California: $88,970

With a bachelor’s degree in your field, you can expect to be on the high end of these averages, as they also take into account registered nurses who only have an associate’s degree. California isn’t the only place that pays nurses well, though. Other states that offer nurses average salaries of above $70,000 include Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland, and New York.

For those looking to make the jump from being a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) to registered nurse (RN), the LVN to BSN degree is the perfect choice. Below are several accredited online colleges that offer nursing degree programs, ideal for any LVN/LPN looking to advance their careers and earn higher salaries.

Top LVN to BSN Degree Programs

LVN to BSN

Indiana State University — Through the Indiana State LVN to BSN (baccalaureate in nursing) program, nurses are able to transition from a vocational nurse to a baccalaureate nurse. Graduates are eligible to register for the registered nurse (RN) licensure exam. The curriculum includes Professional Nursing Synthesis, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, and Nursing Leadership. Read more >>

LVN/LPN to BSN
LVN/LPN to RN
LVN/LPN to ADN

The College Network (Various Accredited Online Colleges) — Earn your LPN/LVN to BSN degree entirely online with no campus attendance and no waiting list. Learn at your place, your pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associates degree in half the time and cost of traditional programs. Read more >>

Other Online Nursing Degrees

RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Admin MSN - Nurse Education	Kaplan University — The Kaplan University School of Nursing offers students the tools required to become world-class nurses in one of the fastest growing careers today. The online program provides the flexibility of completing your degree while staying in the workforce. The curriculum is taught by practicing professionals dedicated to your success. In addition to the bachelors (BSN) degree, the school also offers and masters (MSN) degrees in nurse administration and nurse education.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) PhD in Nursing More Degrees...	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix College of Nursing provides students a wealth of programs at all levels, including bachelors, masters, and doctorate nursing programs. The school prepares the next generation of leaders in the nursing field, with graduates throughout the nation.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Education MSN - Informatics MSN - Management	Walden University — The Walden University Nursing School presents students with numerous curriculum options, including bachelor's and master's degrees in nurse education, nurse informatics, and nurse management available to current RNs. The online format is designed for working professionals that can complete their degree while remaining at work – a flexible solution for today's modern nurse.
RN to BSN	Liberty University — The Liberty University Department of Nursing offers a Bachelor's, RN to BSN, and Master's program. Liberty University focuses on clinical practice, and undergraduates are placed in a hospital setting soon after starting coursework. The RN to BSN track allows nurses to complete their degree in a convenient online format.
RN to BSN	Utica College — Fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and approved by the New York State Education Department, Utica College offers its online RN to BSN program to licensed registered nurses already holding an associate's degree for the next stage in their career as a health care professional.
RN to BSN RN to MSN	South University — South University provides students both a Bachelor's and Master's program in Nursing. The on campus bachelor's degree prepares students for careers at acute care hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and community-based clinics. The online master's degree provides advanced study in clinical teaching skills and research.
RN to BSN	Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences — The Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences offers an online RN to BS in nursing program that provides students with the knowledge and potential they need for career growth within the nursing profession. Students of this program will gain skills in nursing leadership, management, critical decision making, and health communication.
RN to BSN MSN - Nurse Education MSN - Nurse Management	Herzing University — The Herzing University School of Nursing offers students a variety of nursing program at the BSN and MSN levels. The curriculum is designed to provide graduates advanced coursework in academic, theoretical and clinical instruction in geriatric, surgical, and mental health specialties.
RN to BSN	Grand Canyon University — The Grand Canyon University College of Nursing and Health Sciences is often recognized as a leader in healthcare education. Courses feature academic and clinical rigor with Christian values to graduate committed healthcare professionals. Bachelor's, Master's, or certificate degree conferred.
For even more BSN degrees, click here...