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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

5 Best Jobs for Nurses With a BSN

October 4, 2018
Posted by: David Sands

pediatric nurse

If you enjoy helping people and working in a fast-paced environment, nursing might be the career for you. If you’re interested in receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), now is a great time to do so. The nursing field is expected to grow at least 15 percent by 2026.

These are five of the best jobs available for nurses with a BSN.

#1 Surgical Nurse

Surgical nurses assist surgeons with both elective and life-saving procedures. These nurses are present throughout the entire surgery, performing a wide variety of tasks, including:

  • Preparing patients for surgery
  • Monitoring patients’ vital signs during surgery
  • Performing lifesaving maneuvers when necessary
  • Transporting patients to recovery rooms or intensive care units (ICUs)

Surgical nurses most often work in hospitals with surgical wards and operating rooms, as well as trauma and emergency care centers.

These positions require nurses to be able to handle extremely difficult situations like:

  • Long hours
  • Stressful situations
  • Exposure to unpleasant sights

Despite the stress of the job, many pursue surgical nursing for the rewarding feeling of helping people in need. Nurses in these positions can expect an average salary of over $74,000.

#2 Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses work in a team of pediatric health care professionals to provide care for children from birth until their teenage years. These nurses monitor children’s health by recording:

  • Height
  • Weight
  • Developmental milestones, and
  • Administering vaccinations and immunizations

Because children can be unpredictable, those interested in becoming a pediatric nurse should be incredibly patient and ready for anything. These nurses should also have a genuine love for children and a solid understanding of their common health issues.

Pediatric nurses will need to earn their Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) license through basic specialized training in addition to their BSN. Once certified, they can expect to earn $41,000 to $65,500 annually.

#3 Hospice Nurse

As America’s population ages, hospice care is quickly becoming a crucial subset of the medical field. Hospice nurses provide direct care for patients, ensuring they are as supported and pain-free as possible by:

  • Administering medications
  • Providing ongoing wound care
  • Documenting vital signs
  • Psychosocially supporting patients

Hospice nurses can burn out quickly, as they expend continuous physical, emotional, mental and spiritual effort caring for patients. That is why these nurses must understand the importance of self-care and how this impacts their ability to provide quality care for their patients.

Hospice nurses are in high demand, but it is recommended they become a Certified Hospice Palliative Nurse (CHPN) to increase the likelihood of finding a job. Once certified, these nurses can expect to make an average of $29.65 per hour.

#4 ICU Nurse

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses care for patients admitted to the hospital who are in dire condition. These patients either have an unstable respiratory or cardiovascular system or have a high likelihood of one or both systems becoming unstable.

ICU nurses perform a variety of care services for patients, including:

  • Recording and checking vital signs hourly
  • Documenting head-to-toe assessments every four hours
  • Caring for wounds each shift
  • Constant critical thinking and mental preparation for various scenarios

In this high-stress position, nurses must have an advanced skill set, calm manner and positive attitude. Nurses in this sector can expect an average annual salary of $62,000.

#5 Obstetric and Gynecological Nurse (OB/GYN)

OB/GYNs work with women during pregnancy, labor and childbirth and provide postpartum care. Nurses working at a private obstetrics and gynecology practice typically assist the physician with routine wellness procedures, including:

  • Caring for patients during pregnancy
  • Providing patients with birth control information

OB/GYNs working in hospital maternity wards, on the other hand:

  • Monitor the mother and fetus’ vitals prior to delivery
  • Assist in the delivery process
  • Work as coaches for mothers as they enter the delivery stage of labor
  • Provide initial care for newborns by cleaning and weighing them and ensuring they can breathe on their own

To be successful in this position, nurses should have excellent communication skills, mental and physical strength and critical thinking skills. The average annual salary for an OB/GYN is $60,000.

Launch Your Nursing Career With a BSN From UMFK

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UMFK provides students with a rigorous education to prepare them to serve as dedicated and talented health care professionals who can meet the health needs of their community and beyond.

Our rolling admissions deadline means you can fill out your application whenever you’re ready to get started. Fall semester applications submitted before August 15 and spring semester applications submitted before January 10 will be given priority consideration.

Apply online now to begin your nursing career!