Bachelor of Science in Nursing Specialities
- Clinical Nurse Manager
- Forensic Nursing
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nursing Educator
- Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Despite advances in healthcare and technology, nursing continues to be an extremely in-demand career, and this includes many specialties that require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field can expect a 16 percent increase in the number of available jobs. This means that now is the perfect time to continue your nursing education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
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Below are five interesting nursing specialties that require completion of an RN to BSN program.
1. Clinical Nurse Manager
Of all of the nursing specialties that require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, becoming a clinical nurse manager has the best salary outlook at $75,000. These nurses operate strictly in an administrative capacity and rarely deal directly with patients. Instead, these nurses coordinate staff, handle scheduling, create and maintain a budget and act as a liaison for any complaints from nurses or patients.
In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, most hospitals require prior management experience for this position.
2. Forensic Nursing
Forensic nursing is a unique and fast-paced specialty that is perfect for nurses who prefer a constantly changing environment. If this career path sounds appealing, you can take classes in the forensic field alongside your Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses to help better prepare you for the position. These nurses will not only care for victims of assault, abuse, neglect and other crimes but also provide expertise in a variety of other roles.
Nurses who choose this field can also become certified through the Forensic Nursing Certification Board.
3. Nurse Case Manager
A nurse case manager may work in many different settings, including nursing homes, hospitals and the private business sector. Often, case managers are responsible for evaluating each patient and determining the best care plan on an individual basis. They may act as liaisons for outpatient therapies, assist with transferring patients to long-term care facilities or even help with financial questions.
This nursing specialty requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as excellent people skills and flexibility.
4. Nursing Educator
Becoming a nursing educator is especially attractive to students in RN to BSN programs. Nurse educators earn about $70,000 annually. In general, nurse educators work in a hospital setting overseeing groups of nurses in a particular unit and assessing their skills.
Nurse educators are responsible for ensuring the caregivers in their unit are properly trained in all aspects of the job. They are also usually tasked with the orientation of new nurses and assisting with orientation schedules or assigning unit mentors.
5. Certified Diabetes Educator
This is one of the few nursing specialties that can be held by a variety of healthcare and medical professionals. The certified diabetes educator, or CDE, position can be held after a nurse has completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and spent a certain number of hours working with diabetic patients. Typically, nurses in this position earn about $63,000 per year.
A CDE works with diabetic patients to educate them on all aspects of their condition, including nutritional needs, insulin therapy, medication therapy, exercise requirements and general lifestyle practices, to make living with the condition easier. A CDE may also help educate families and the general public depending on the position they take.
Completing Your RN to BSN Will Open Many Doors
Healthcare is constantly changing and advancing, and this means the role of a nurse is evolving right along with it. There are dozens of other nursing specialties that require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, so it is possible for anyone to find a suitable career path after completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
