By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tooth Decay Marielaina Perrone DDS
    Is Your Child’s Education Affected By Tooth Decay?
    December 13, 2012
    Image
    Millions of Americans Could Lose ACA Subsidies
    July 21, 2014
    Image
    IVF: The Three Biggest Myths
    March 22, 2013
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What is the Salary Outlook Difference for a BSN vs. RN Career?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Education > What is the Salary Outlook Difference for a BSN vs. RN Career?
Medical EducationNursing

What is the Salary Outlook Difference for a BSN vs. RN Career?

Ryan Ayers
Last updated: July 2, 2021 4:27 am
Ryan Ayers
Share
5 Min Read
bsn vs rn salaries
Shutterstock Photo License - By Rawpixel.com
SHARE

Nurses proved their importance hundreds of times over during the COVID pandemic, and many young people want to follow in the footsteps of these pandemic heroes. Due to the extenuating circumstances, many nurses also quit during the pandemic, leaving many vacancies in the profession.

With many job opportunities, rewarding work, a variety of nursing specialties, and very competitive salaries, nursing is a great career choice and is expected to be for a long time. The two most popular education ?destinations? for nursing students are registered nurse (RN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and understanding the difference between the two should be a very early step in any aspiring nursing student?s journey.

Here is a closer look at the description, some potential jobs, and salaries for both. You should understand the outlook as you pursue a career as a nurse after the pandemic.

Description

More Read

What Are The Advantages Of Accelerated BSN Programs?
Montefiore Medical Center Study Shows Strength of Simulation Training
5 Helpful Networking Tips For Healthcare Professionals
Teaching Hospital Comparisons Benefit from Context
Primary Care Workforce Shortage: Possible Solutions

RN ? The RN after a nurse?s named is given after passing a credential examination. Though RNs sometimes pursued a BSN degree, the major difference between RNs and BSNs is that one is a degree and one is a credential. The RN credential can be achieved without a BSN degree, and with that in mind the RN options for employment are a bit fewer, but an individual can generally get the required education to qualify for RN jobs in 2 or 3 years.

BSN ? BSNs are degrees, just like a Bachelor of Science in Computers or something of the like. These degrees don?t legally qualify individuals for any type of nurse work, but they contain the education to prepare RNs, LPNs, and more, and also serve as a requirement for anyone looking to pursue postsecondary education in nursing, for example an MSN or Master?s in Nursing.

Job Options

RN ? Registered nurses have a lot of options for both sites of care and types of care, but hospitals are the most common. Ambulance services also employ RNs, as do schools, nursing homes, public health centers and military contractors. Generally, RNs are primary caretakers in a given area of a hospital, but must maintain knowledge across a wide breadth of health subjects, especially those in places like emergency rooms. There are a lot of career options for nurses with different specialties.

BSN ? BSN is a degree, so it does not ?officially? make anyone a nurse, as the RN credential does. However, the curriculum is very wide and those with BSN degrees can pursue nursing practices like those of RNs, but can also pursue careers in anatomy, pharmacology, reproductive care, or nursing research. Those who wish to pursue higher educations in nursing must follow this path, though it is fairly easy to re-enter nursing school for anyone who may have pursued a two-year degree and entered the workforce for a while.

Salary Outlook

RN ? RN salaries fluctuate fairly drastically from locale to locale, but they are generally based on cost of living, and above the median income. In California, RNs average of more than $100,000 per year as of May 2019, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In South Dakota, the average salary is half of that, but, again, cost of living is the reason for these differences, and the jobs are quite similar no matter where they are performed.

BSN ? As BSN degrees can lead to such a wide variety of jobs, a ?typical? salary is tough to nail down for those with the degree. Jobs they lead to, though, include: transplant nurse, nutritionist, rehab nurse, hospice care specialist, nursing informatics professional, or nurse managers and supervisors, each with different, but very competitive salaries relative to non-healthcare jobs.

Future

The job outlook for both RNs and those who pursue other deviations off the BSN path can pursue their educations very confidently, as even before the pandemic, the fact that baby boomers were entering their 60s also caused for increased healthcare needs. The future is very bright for healthcare professionals, even though the last year has not been.

TAGGED:BSNnursingRN
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Ryan Ayers
Follow:
Ryan Ayers has consulted a number of Fortune 500 companies within multiple industries including information technology and big data. After earning his MBA in 2010, Ayers also began working with start-up companies and aspiring entrepreneurs, with a keen focus on data collection and analysis.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

Lack Of Patient-Centered Communication Skills By Physicians [infographic]

September 17, 2013

Why Hospitals Need to Think Globally

November 23, 2012
Health careMedical EducationMental Health

Living In The Anxiety Era: Tips To Prevent Anxiety Attacks

July 24, 2019
doctor compensation
BusinessFinanceHospital AdministrationMedical Education

Want to Make a Lot of Money in Healthcare? Don’t Become a Doctor

June 3, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?