The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow six percent by 2032, faster than all occupations, resulting in an average of about 193,100 openings each year.
Of course, many of these job openings are out of the need to replace workers who retire or transition to different occupations. As such, employers are constantly on the lookout for skilled, trained, and qualified nurses, especially ones with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.
Rest assured that the employment growth rate isn’t the only thing that appeals to interested nursing candidates. Individuals who graduate from a BSN nursing program in Connecticut (CT) can also expect to earn high-paying salaries in many exciting positions.
Let’s discuss five high-paying BSN jobs to see the additional benefits of earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
What is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree?
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing is an educational degree that prepares students to take their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become registered nurses.
These career-focused programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the healthcare field, laying the groundwork for candidates to provide patient-centered care, promote healthy lifestyles by providing health education to patients, and become healthcare leaders.
Graduates of a BSN nursing program can also go on to graduate-level degree programs. Traditional and online Nursing degree programs typically last eight semesters, with students taking 55 credits in general education and 65 nursing-specific credits, totaling 120 credit hours.
5 High-paying BSN careers
Registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing find work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, government offices, and state, local, and private educational institutions.
Let’s explore a few specific positions within these facilities that offer particularly rewarding salaries for those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
1. Informatics nurses
Informatics nurses develop and support the use of technology to help healthcare progress and improve day-to-day healthcare operations by helping healthcare organizations implement new technology while building relationships between medical and information technology staff. This includes educating other healthcare professionals on how they can use computer hardware and software.
Furthermore, they use computer systems to analyze data from medical records and other sources to make specific processes more effective and efficient.
Salary-wise, informatics nurses fall under the salary range for registered nurses and health information technologists, making a median annual salary of $62,990, with the highest ten percent earning more than $107,650.
2. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, also called critical care nurses, work with patients with critical injuries and illnesses in a hospital’s ICU.
Alongside other medical professionals, these nurses assess the potential risks and benefits of emergency medical procedures based on each patient’s condition, providing emergency treatment and postoperative medical services.
These nurses fall under the healthcare occupation umbrella and can expect to earn a median annual salary of $80,820, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060.
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3. Travel nurses
As the name implies, travel nurses travel to work temporarily at various locations. These BSN jobs can last anywhere from a single day to several months, depending upon the facility and position.
As such, it’s essential for travel nurses to be compassionate and empathetic communicators who use their critical thinking skills to identify unseen issues or overlooked conditions. Candidates can expect to administer medication, monitor patients by checking vital signs, and work with other healthcare professionals assigned to their patients.
Travel nurses can expect to make higher salaries than a typical RN’s salary due to their willingness and flexibility to serve when needed, for however long they can be of service.
4. Operating room nurses
Another career that nurses with a BSN degree in CT pursue? Operating room nursing, also known as OR nursing. These individuals are part of a team that cares for patients before (pre-operative), during (intraoperative), and after (postoperative) surgeries and other medical procedures.
Pre-op nurses assess the patient’s condition and prepare the operating room. Intraop nurses evaluate vital signs and assist the surgical staff throughout the procedure. Post-op nurses assess patients and communicate with the surgical team, physicians, and family members.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track individual nursing specialties, OR nurses typically earn in the higher range of an RN’s median annual salary, mentioned above.
5. Nurse anesthetists
Graduates of BSN nursing programs can also pursue advanced BSN careers such as nurse anesthetists.
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who administer anesthesia and provide care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures to safely administer the anesthesia.
With their advanced training, these nurses can expect to earn a median annual salary of $129,480, with the highest ten percent earning more than $211,820.
Pursue high-paying BSN jobs with University of Bridgeport’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
As you can see, the amount of BSN careers and specialties available to nurses with a BSN degree in CT goes well beyond that of a traditional registered nurse.
If you are ready to pursue or take your nursing career to the next level and earn a salary that matches your devotion, then enrolling in our accredited nursing school is the next best step.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing program, an Accelerated BSN Nursing Program, an online RN-to-BSN program, and an ADN nursing program, we have a degree that will fit your interests, needs, and goals.