After working as a clinical nurse, you may be ready to use your professional experience differently and take your career in a new direction. Fortunately, nursing is a diverse profession that offers endless job opportunities in clinical and non-clinical or “non-bedside” settings.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were well over three million registered nurses (RNs) working in the U.S. in 2021. And employment of RNs is projected to increase by nearly 200,000 jobs by 2031. The positions opening up each year are not only vacated positions that need to be filled but also new job openings to meet the healthcare needs of a steadily growing and aging population.
How Can an RN to BSN Program Help Me?
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree may be the professional pivot your career needs to move from clinical care to non-clinical care. Having a BSN will also make you a more viable candidate for the positions you seek.
As the healthcare industry continues to change, more and more employers require nurses to have BSN degrees. Findings from a 2022 survey of nursing schools by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing show that 27.7% of healthcare employers require nursing new hires have at least a BSN, and 71.7% strongly prefer BSN program graduates.
This shift toward BSN-level preparation is logically even more pronounced when considering higher-level leadership roles toward the top of the non-clinical nursing job strata. For instance, to achieve Magnet hospital designation, a hospital’s nurse leaders and nurse managers must all have at least a BSN degree. Thus, a BSN can boost your professional growth and open doors to jobs that may be a more appealing fit for you than clinical care.
An online RN to BSN program like the one offered by the University of South Carolina Aiken allows you to earn your degree while you work. The online format is convenient for busy nurses with families and other responsibilities. You can study at any time of day or night and from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also adjust your course load each term to fit your life.
Enhance Your Career: Non-Clinical Jobs With a BSN
Options are plentiful for nurses who want to move away from direct clinical care. Choose one that offers the pace you desire or allows you to utilize your experience in a more specialized or focused manner. With a BSN, you will have a competitive advantage as you enter a new path in nursing.
Here are just a few non-clinical nursing careers to explore:
A nurse case manager oversees a patient’s individualized care plan, serving as a liaison between the patient (or patient’s family) and healthcare providers.
An occupational health nurse works with organizations to develop and implement employee safety and healthcare programs. They also manage any necessary implementation and documentation associated with these programs.
A nurse life care planner helps create, implement and manage long-term care plans for patients who need medical care for the remainder of their lives.
A research nurse participates in clinical research projects that evaluate new drugs and medical devices, often handling patient screening, progress management and results reporting.
A nurse manager creates and manages budgets, oversees facility and resource needs and supervises nursing staff.
After exploring these options and the many more careers available in nursing, you will likely find one that pairs with the path you wish to pursue. Adding a BSN degree to your resume can give you the edge you need for a successful transition.
Learn more about USC Aiken’s online RN to BSN program.
