If you’re interested in getting into nursing, you can do so in as little as a year. However, the best way to increase your salary is to go back to school for more training. As a registered nurse, getting your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) only takes four years at maximum, and after you have your bachelor’s degree, you can make a lot more money every year, as well as qualify for jobs that are more fulfilling.

So just how much can you make as a registered nurse with a BSN? That depends on a number of factors, including your job title. Here are some salary examples for workers with bachelor’s degrees in the nursing field:

• Charge Nurse: $63,876
• Clinical Nursing Manager: $74,338
• Emergency Room Registered Nurse: $62,722
• General Registered Nurse: $55,227
• Nurse Case Manager: $60,937
• Nursing Director: $73,834
• Nursing Manager: $72,901

In addition to these base salaries, you can expect bonuses, paid vacation time and sick days, and benefits packages, as well as other perks.

Location is another major factor when it comes to determining salary. Nurses are in high demand across the country, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a job no matter where you want to live and work. Where can you make the most money though? The following cities have the top-paying nursing jobs, on average:

• San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, California: $104,400
• Visalia-Porterville, California: $103,660
• San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City, California: $96,700
• Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, California: $96,150
• Napa, California: $88,970

As you can see, California is very lucrative for nurses, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a high-paying job elsewhere in the country. Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland, and New York all have average salaries for nurses that are $70,000 annually or higher, and some types of facilities will generally offer higher salaries than others.

In addition, you can demand a higher salary if you specialize. Many nurses don’t choose a specialty until they enter master’s degree programs, but many BSN programs offer you the choice to focus in one area of medicine. This does limit the types of jobs you can take, but at the same time, facilities like to hire nurses with high-level training in their field.

Experience, therefore, also plays a role. As you work as a nurse with you BSN, you’ll gain experience in your field, learning how to do more advanced tasks than nurses with just associate’s degrees. Over time, most states require you to participate in continuing education as well, so you’ll learn even more about advanced nursing. The longer you’ve worked as a nurse, the higher your salary will be, especially if you remain working for a single employer. Some employers will even offer you incentives, such as tuition reimbursement and better benefits packages if you go back to school to get a master’s degree after you have your BSN.

So is getting your BSN worth the time and money? In most cases, yes. You’ll be able to find a better job that comes attached not just with higher salary, but also more responsibilities and a chance to work more closely with patients, researchers, or other nurses in the type of medical field you enjoy.

Top LPN to BSN Programs Online

Many nurses begin their careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) but soon yearn for a higher education to advance their careers. Fortunately, this is where online LPN to BSN degree programs come in handy. Below are the top fully accredited online colleges that offer such programs.

LPN to BSN Programs

LPN to BSN

Indiana State University — Indiana State offers the only online LPN to BSN degree program whose curriculum is designed specifically for LPNs looking for RN training. The coursework is completed mostly online, with only the required clinical hours needing completion at a local facility. This program is highly rated because of its affordability and flexibility. Read in-depth review of Indiana State University.

LPN to BSN

The College Network — Start working toward your LPN to BSN degree from one of the various universities that form the College Network. You can earn an NLNAC-accredited degree completely online with no campus attendance required. And best of all, you should be able to earn your degree at a more convenient pace and cheaper price.

Other Online Nursing Degree Programs

RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Administrator MSN - Nurse Educator	Kaplan University — Kaplan University's College of Nursing is designed to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals via an advanced online environment. The university features a bachelor's degree and master's degree, which includes the specializations of nurse administrator and nurse educator. Courses are taught by experienced professionals that bring their real-world skills into the classroom.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing PhD in Nursing More Nursing Degrees	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and offers students a wide variety of bachelors, masters, and doctorate nursing programs. These degree programs both enhance the knowledge of registered nurses and provide advanced training opportunities.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Education MSN - Nurse Informatics MSN - Nurse Management	Walden University — Walden's University online nursing programs offers degrees at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. Students are able to obtain their bachelors in as little as 18 months. A certificate in Education, Informatics, or Leadership & Management is also available. Programs are dedicated to empowering students to become agents of change in the healthcare field.
RN to BSN MSN - Nurse Education MSN - Nurse Management	Herzing University — At the Herzing University School of Nursing, students receive an education focused on clinical experience at the bachelor's and master's level. The curriculum across these programs focus on academic, theoretical and clinical instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric and mental health nursing.
RN to BSN	Liberty University — Liberty's general online BSN program teaches students to utilize problem-solving skills to determine proper nursing techniques in the real world. Students are fostered to develop strong leadership skills for the purpose of promoting health within the workplace.
RN to BSN	South University — RNs seeking more job opportunities and professional responsibilities need look no further than South University's potentially career-changing RN to BSN program of study. Those who complete this program will be well prepared to serve in management and supervisory positions within the field of nursing.
RN to BSN	Grand Canyon University — At Grand Canyon University, an online BSN degree program is offered to individuals who are already licensed as RNs. Courses are taught by nursing education experts, and graduates of this program typically go on to become leaders in the nursing industry.
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