What Can You Do with a BSN?
What Can You Do With a BSN?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can prepare you to pursue registered nursing, work in a range of healthcare settings, and build a foundation for long-term career growth in nursing. For many students, a BSN is the degree that opens the door to patient care roles today and graduate-level or specialized nursing advancement later.
With a BSN, graduates may pursue RN licensure. With licensure, graduates can provide direct patient care and begin buidling career experience in hospitals, clinics, long-term care settings, schools, and community health organizations. Over time, a BSN can also support movement into leadership or specialty practice.
A BSN can prepare you to become a registered nurse
One of the most common paths after earning a BSN is becoming a registered nurse, or RN. BSN graduates may pursue RN licensure by taking the NCLEX-RN exam after completing an approved nursing program. The NCLEX is administered through the nursing licensure process overseen by NCSBN and state nursing regulatory bodies.
At the University of Saint Mary, students in the Accelerated BSN program prepare for the NCLEX-RN as part of the curriculum. Graduation does not guarantee licensure, but the BSN is a key academic step toward becoming an RN.
Learn what an accelerated BSN is.
Where can you work with a BSN?
A BSN can lead to nursing roles in many different care environments. While job titles and responsibilities vary by employer, BSN-prepared nurses often work in settings such as:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Outpatient clinics and physician offices
- Long-term care and rehabilitation settings
- Community health organizations
- Schools and public health programs
- Home health and care coordination environments
Because the BSN is a broad professional nursing degree, it can create flexibility across care settings and patient populations.
Common career paths with a BSN
The most direct outcome of a BSN is entry into registered nursing, but that can take many forms depending on the setting and the population you want to serve. Some common directions include:
Registered Nurse (RN)
Provide direct patient care, support treatment plans, educate patients and families, and coordinate with physicians and care teams.
Hospital Nurse
Work in acute care settings such as medical-surgical units, emergency departments, intensive care, maternity, or pediatrics.
Clinic or Ambulatory Care Nurse
Support patient care in outpatient settings such as specialty clinics, primary care offices, and same-day care environments.
Community or Public Health Nurse
Focus on health education, prevention, outreach, and population health in community-based settings.
School or Wellness Nurse
Work with students or employee populations, depending on the employer and role requirements.
Specific opportunities vary by state, employer, experience level, and any additional certifications or education you complete over time.
How much can you earn with a BSN?
Salary depends on your role, location, employer, and experience, but the nursing profession offers strong earning potential relative to many other occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses had a median annual wage of $93,600 in May 2024, and employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034.
That combination of wage potential and projected demand is one reason a BSN remains a popular degree path for students seeking a stable and meaningful healthcare career.
See whether an accelerated BSN is worth it.
Can a BSN help with career advancement?
Yes. AACN describes baccalaureate education as the educational and experiential base for entry-level professional practice and also as a platform for future graduate-level study. That means a BSN can support not only immediate nursing practice, but also later advancement into more specialized or higher-level roles.
Over time, some BSN-prepared nurses pursue paths such as:
- Leadership and supervisory roles
- Specialty practice areas
- Nursing education or staff development
- Graduate nursing education
- Advanced practice roles with additional degrees and licensure
The BLS reports that nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives had a median annual wage of $132,050 in May 2024, showing how nursing can create long-term advancement opportunities for those who continue their education.
Why employers often value BSN preparation
AACN reports that employers show a strong preference for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, with survey findings indicating that many employers either require or strongly prefer new hires with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. That makes the BSN important not only for entering nursing, but also for staying competitive in the job market.
For students thinking long-term, that employer preference can be another reason to choose a BSN pathway instead of a shorter-term entry route that may require additional education later.
How the University of Saint Mary ABSN supports BSN career outcomes
The University of Saint Mary’s Accelerated BSN is designed for students who want to move into nursing on a faster timeline while still completing significant clinical preparation. The program can be completed in 12 months, uses a hybrid format, includes 714 hours of clinical and lab training, and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN path after graduation.
USM ABSN Snapshot
- Program length: 12 months
- Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Format: Hybrid
- Clinical and lab training: 714 hours
- Graduation outcome: Preparation for the NCLEX-RN path
For students who already have prior college credit and want a direct path into nursing, that structure can make the BSN more accessible on a shorter timeline.
Explore the full USM Accelerated BSN program or review the admissions requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a BSN?
A BSN can prepare you for registered nursing and related patient care roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care settings, schools, and community health organizations.
Can you become an RN with a BSN?
A BSN is one of the main academic pathways to RN preparation. After graduating from an approved nursing program, students may pursue licensure by taking the NCLEX-RN.
Is a BSN only for hospital nursing?
No. BSN-prepared nurses may work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, public health, schools, long-term care, and other healthcare settings.
Can a BSN lead to advanced nursing roles later?
Yes. A BSN can serve as the platform for future graduate study and advanced roles in nursing, though those positions require additional education and licensure.
How much do nurses with a BSN make?
Pay depends on many factors, but the BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses.
What can you do with a BSN from the University of Saint Mary?
USM ABSN graduates earn a BSN, prepare for the NCLEX-RN path, and can pursue nursing opportunities in a wide range of healthcare settings after meeting licensure requirements.
Take the next step toward a nursing career
If you already have prior college credit and want a faster path to a BSN, the University of Saint Mary’s 12-month hybrid ABSN can help you prepare for RN licensure and future nursing opportunities.