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Expected BSN coursework 

Proper BSN programs align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials to deliver the necessary curriculum and expected competencies. In addition to general education coursework to help develop their knowledge of health, wellness and nutrition, students may complete coursework that focuses on:

• Public health fundamentals
• Healthcare policy and financial management
• Professional nursing leadership perspectives
• Ethical and legal considerations
• Research outcomes management

Hard and soft skills developed when earning a BSN 

The hard and soft skills students learn when earning a BSN go beyond the basic skills needed for nursing, like how to administer medication and insert an IV. Students learn how to practice evidence-based care that reflects their knowledge of health and wellness. They demonstrate professional standards of ethics and legal conduct within the healthcare industry and learn how to better communicate within the health setting, whether that’s with patients or peers.

Skills students may acquire during a BSN program include the following:

• Communication
• Critical thinking and holistic nursing
• Compassion in population health
• Professionalism
• Leadership
• Coordination of safe care
• Information management and communication
• Quality improvement and case management

Many of these skills can even translate to additional alternative careers to nursing, further preparing graduates for career success. Learning about these skills can also help RNs understand how to get a BSN and what to expect from a BSN program.

Potential careers after earning a BSN 

RNs who understand how to get a BSN may also want to know how this degree can prepare them for additional career opportunities. Depending upon a nurse’s role and experience, nursing salaries across the country can vary.

These are some of the positions a BSN can prepare nurses  for:

• Charge nurse: nurses are RNs who oversee administrative duties and coordinate between hospital leaders and general nursing staff. Their role often involves patient care as well. Many charge nurses provide crucial guidance to nurses and coordinate schedules among their teams..
• Public health nurse: Public health nurses promote and protect population health with knowledge gained from nursing, social and public health sciences. Rather than treat acute health problems, a public health nurse’s primary responsibility is to prevent disease and disability among the people in their community. Public health nurses can work in research facilities, outpatient clinics, community health clinics and other institutions. BLS doesn’t differentiate between PHNs and other types of RNs; earning potential for this role falls in line with other RN roles.
• Director of nursing: Directors of nursing incorporate years of experience to handle the duties of overseeing an entire department’s nursing operation. In many cases, they implement policies, set budgets, manage staff and help triangulate information between administration and nurses. 
  
• Hospital administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare facilities, including hospitals. The BLS includes director of nursing and hospital administrators as medical and health services managers.  As of May 2025, salaries for these roles earned , according to BLS. 

• Nursing instructors demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. As of May 2025, nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary, earned, with a median wage of $ 86,530, according to BLS.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of �鶹��ý. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. �鶹��ý does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

Options for how to get a BSN