What Can You Do With a Nursing Degree?

A nursing degree allows you to pursue jobs in your area of interest, whether you imagine yourself as a clinical nurse, a nursing school professor, a nursing scientist, a researcher, a public health nurse or a nurse practitioner.

While an entry-level nurse is required to have an associate’s degree, earning your BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is the industry standard and will allow you to have more opportunities for employment and faster salary growth.

Once you have your BSN, the next step is an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), which develops skills and knowledge that will allow you to take on leadership roles. The terminal degree for a nurse is the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), which will enable you to become a nurse practitioner.

Knowing which path to take with your nursing education can be overwhelming. Discover which degree is right for you.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree allows you to gain the foundation you need for a career as a nurse. A BSN program will give you experience working with diverse patients in a variety of settings to prepare you for a career in healthcare.

You can choose which track to a BSN fits you best whether that’s a traditional four-year, an RN to BSN, an LPN to BSN or an accelerated program.

The median annual salary for nurses with bachelor’s degrees is $71,730, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The expected job growth through 2029 is 7%.

Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing Degree allows you to develop skills and knowledge that can help you advance your career in leadership, education or informatics.

RN to MSN and BSN to MSN options are available. You can also choose a track to earn your master’s degree with a specialization as a care coordinator, nurse educator, nurse executive or nurse informaticist.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary for nurses with master’s degrees ranges from $76,000 to over $100,000, depending on your career path. The expected job growth through 2029 is 15-32% depending on the career.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

A Doctor of Nursing Practice allows you to study advanced nursing practices and build leadership skills. You can choose whether to become a family nurse practitioner, an adult gerontology nurse or work in public health policy.

The median annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $117,000, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The job growth rate is 45% through 2029.

Top Jobs with a Nursing Degree

Healthcare employment is expected to increase by at least 15% through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means there will be a need for many types of nurses in the near future.

In demand jobs you can get with a nursing degree include:

• Infection Control/Prevention Nurse – BSN
• Neonatal Nurse – BSN
• School Nurse - BSN
• Travel Nurse – BSN
• Pediatric Nurse – BSN
• Trauma Nurse – BSN
• Informatics Nurse – MSN
• Nurse Educator – MSN
• Clinical Nurse – MSN or DNP
• Geriatric Nurse – MSN or DNP
• Acute Care Nurse – MSN or DNP
• Family Nurse Practitioner – DNP

How to Get a Nursing Degree

You can enroll in nursing school directly out of high school or transfer with previously earned college-level credit.

Application for enrollment typically opens in September. The earlier you enroll, the sooner you’ll find out if you’ve been accepted into the program. 

At Nebraska Methodist College, you’ll gain the skills and experience you need to become a successful nurse. To find out more about NMC's enrollment process, look over this guide.

Students at NMC experience a holistic culture of caring with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. You’ll learn in our state-of-the-art laboratories and by working in clinical settings, which will prepare you to pass your licensure exam. Nearly 94% of our students passed their NCLEX on their first attempt in 2020.

“I always hear from students that NMC just felt right. It felt like home, it felt like they mattered, and it felt inclusive,” said Trish Miller, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator at NMC.

NMC is a top accredited nursing school that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees as well as certificates for those seeking a career as a nurse. Our programs are available both on-campus and online.

Is nursing right for you? Download NMC’s nursing career guide to learn more.