A Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree is a highly versatile degree path. When evaluating education, it’s often preferred by students and organizations alike. Because while the standard requirement for registered nurses is an associate degree, the robust curriculum and career potential of a BSN offer more mobility.

A BSN degree will prepare you for a variety of roles in the nursing profession. You’ll gain advanced clinical knowledge, leadership training, and a broad overview of the healthcare system. This comprehensive approach will prepare you to start your career on the right foot — with numerous career options to choose from.

Unsure what you want to do in the field of nursing? There are many types of nurses with a BSN that might inspire you. BSN nurses often specialize in specific areas of medicine, take on advanced leadership roles, and pursue trailblazing careers in military, public health, and school nursing.

Below, we’ll go over six popular types of nurses with a BSN today.

1. Specialized RN

Specialized RNs typically hold a BSN. A specialized nurse works in a specific specialty, such as labor and delivery, oncology, or mental health. These roles typically require a more defined skillset than an entry-level RN. Advanced critical-thinking skills and the ability to manage complex situations and patients are crucial to success in this field.

Nurses with a BSN are usually given hiring preferences when applying for specialty certifications and positions. Employers are looking for graduates who completed the additional coursework in a BSN program and are familiar with evidence-based practices in a particular specialty. A BSN background will translate into a nurse who learns and adapts more quickly, thanks to a higher baseline of knowledge and interdisciplinary skills.

2. Leadership roles

Generally speaking, BSN nurses are given more promotion opportunities than RNs without a bachelor’s degree. The breadth of coursework completed in a bachelor’s program shows employers a level of commitment and preparedness that a two-year degree alone does not. The coursework you’ll receive, covering leadership, healthcare policies, ethics, interpersonal skills, and communication, makes you a capable leader.

Leadership roles in nursing typically include positions such as charge nurse or nurse manager. In these roles, you’ll have more responsibilities and a higher salary. For example, you might oversee staffing, mentoring, healthcare regulation compliance, and safety standards. A BSN is almost always required before you’re considered for these leadership positions. Organizations want to know you’re equipped with the proper skill set to thrive in a leadership role.

3. School nurse

A school nurse is a nurse who works within a school setting. In this role, you’ll likely be one of the only, if not the only, medical staff on site. Due to this and the wide range of medical conditions that may arise, a BSN is usually required for school nursing roles. You could be doing anything from helping a student manage a chronic health condition to responding to an acute injury to addressing mental health concerns.

In this kind of role, adaptability is key. You need to be able to think on your feet, which is why BSN nurses are preferred. In a BSN program, you’ll receive a broad clinical education and be exposed to public health concerns when caring for a wide range of students. The independence of this type of nursing role often makes it appealing to those who enjoy practicing medicine solo and interacting with children regularly.

4. Public health nurse

A public health nurse works with the public at large. An RN in this position has a much different role than one in a hospital or healthcare organization. Here, you’ll focus on healthcare at a broad scale. You’ll be consulting on or running health campaigns to improve regular healthcare or vaccination rates, among other things. The goal of many public health nurses is to educate the community and improve overall health. So the focal point of your practice becomes the people in your community as a whole rather than the individual patient.

Most public health nurses hold a BSN. It’s usually preferred, primarily because many public health nurses work for the government or a government agency. Some will work within a nonprofit or community clinic as well. A broad education with a bachelor’s degree will best prepare you for this type of role, where your responsibilities tend to be diverse. You’ll need excellent interpersonal skills and analytical skills to track health trends across the community.

5. Case manager

As a nurse case manager, you can serve as the point person for managing someone’s healthcare plan. This role is basically the opposite of a public health nurse. Instead of focusing on the community as a whole, you would focus on the individual. You would coordinate care, potentially across providers, monitor patient progress, and help the patient advocate for what they need.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills because you’ll be coordinating care with multiple people. You might be working with doctors, social workers, insurance providers, and even families to help your patient get the care they need. A BSN is what will adequately prepare you with the organizational skills, clinical judgement, and communication skills required to succeed in this position.

6. Military nurse

Military nurses serve in a wide range of clinical and leadership roles while providing care to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. An interesting branch of nursing that blends traditional responsibilities with service in a structured, mission-driven environment. Depending on your assignment, you may provide direct patient care, support emergency and trauma services, or contribute to public health and preventative care initiatives.

But it’s not a simple assignment. Military nursing requires adaptability, resilience, and strong clinical decision-making skills, as you may work in hospitals, clinics, or field settings. You’ll collaborate closely with physicians, fellow nurses, and other healthcare professionals as part of a highly coordinated team. A BSN degree is required for commissioning and prepares you with the clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to meet the unique demands of military healthcare.

Learn how to launch your nursing career through Goodwin University

Why a BSN is highly valued

There are many different types of nurses with a BSN who, due to their added investment in school, are given hiring preference in the job market. Healthcare organizations are in constant need of BSN graduates.

With a BSN, you have an additional two years of education to draw on in your career. You have the option to immediately pursue more education or step into a role that requires a BSN. Your career mobility is really flexible with a BSN.

On average, BSN-prepared nurses also tend to earn higher salaries than their ADN counterparts. This becomes apparent as they move into leadership, specialty, or non-clinical roles. In today’s job market, with an increased demand for BSN nurses, many RNs without a BSN are returning to school to complete their bachelor’s degree.

There are multiple options for obtaining a BSN degree. While it’s common to take the traditional, four-year degree path, many nurses opt for experience first before pursuing their BSN. Let us explain: An associate degree in Nursing is the standard requirement for nurses, allowing you to pursue licensure and practice in just 2-3 years. Many RNs start here, then go back to school for their bachelor’s degree through an RN-to-BSN program. RN-to-BSN programs are offered part-time, online, and can be completed in just one year as a seasoned nurse.

And if you are brand-new to nursing, but already have a college education? Bachelor’s degree holders with a non-nursing background can pursue an Accelerated BSN program, which requires only 16 months of full-time learning and practice. In this scenario, there’s no need to spend another four years in school.

See how to start your nursing career at Goodwin University

Goodwin University offers a range of nursing programs for aspiring BSN nurses, including an associate degree in Nursing, a flexible RN-to-BSN program, and an Accelerated BSN degree for those changing career paths.

Experience the support of faculty who have a vested interest in your success at Goodwin University. No matter where you are in your nursing education, our BSN programs are here to help you reach your educational goals.

At Goodwin University, students experience a variety of benefits. As a student, you’ll get hands-on learning experiences, academic support, and career guidance from a team that really cares about your success. Apply today to get started.

Learn more about the BSN programs at Goodwin University to see if nursing is a good career choice for you.