One beneficial aspect of the nursing profession is the wide variety of careers that current and aspiring nurses can enter into. With additional training and certifications, nurses can be placed in a great position to grow their careers and salaries.
In addition to various careers, nurses can adopt numerous tactics that will in return solidify their nursing knowledge and possibly increase their yearly salaries to six figures.
Best Accredited Colleges will inform readers more about the nursing profession and help identify the best ways that registered nurses can make six figures with a BSN.
Is It Possible To Make Six Figures With A BSN?
Yes. It is possible to earn six figures with a BSN. Of course, it is going to require extra work and determination to increase your yearly salary. Factors, such as work hours, training, and location play a major part in determining a nurse's salary.
How Can I Earn Six Figures With A BSN?
The following list details the best ways registered nurses (RNs) can earn six figures with a BSN degree.
1. Relocate To A Higher Paying State
Geographic location is an important factor in determining a nurse's salary. Increasing one's salary to six figures becomes a lot easier in some states.
Currently, the highest-paying states for registered nurses are:
- California
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- Nevada
- Alaska
Before relocating to a different state, it is important to consider the state's cost of living as well as the licensing requirements. It is important to perform research on the area you plan on moving to before actually making the first step.
2. Work Overtime Hours
Working overtime hours can be one of the best ways to increase your commitment and salary in a field. As a nurse, picking up extra shifts and hours is fairly easy as there are always shifts that fellow nurses are willing to give up.
Depending on the facility, nurses may even receive incentive pay, or bonuses, for picking up extra shifts or when the facility is short-staffed.
When considering this, making certain sacrifices may be necessary in order to increase one's yearly pay. It would be wise to pick certain aspects of your life that you are willing to give up.
3. Get An Advanced Nursing Degree
Pursuing a graduate degree is a definitive way to earn more as a nurse. After completing a BSN program, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) prepares nurses for high-level clinical, education, and management roles in the field.
With an MSN degree, nurses are likely to earn a six-figure salary with a wide variety of different careers, such as:
- certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- general nurse practitioner (NP)
- certified nurse midwife
An MSN degree is also necessary for admission into a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. DNP programs can expose nurses to executive leadership roles, research, and clinical positions.
In addition, a doctoral degree is highly recommended for CRNA and NP job positions. Starting in 2025, a doctoral degree will be required for all graduates of a CRNA program.
4. Get Certified In A Specialization
Earning additional certifications is another great way for nurses to earn a six-figure salary. Certifications can be either offered directly by an employer, or courses can be taken through a credentialing agency, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Through the agency, nurses are able to gain certifications and specialize in various areas of nursing, such as:
- ambulatory care
- medical-surgical
- pain management
- informatics
- pediatrics
- psychiatry
- neonatal
By being certified in a particular area, the chances of earning a six-figure salary are higher as employers may be more willing to gain your expertise.
5. Become A Travel Nurse
Travel nurses are registered nurses who are assigned to work in short-term roles at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Due to the current nursing shortages, the demand for nurses to fill these roles remains high.
One benefit is the fact that the agencies typically cover the majority of the expenses. The actual pay that a travel nurse can make depends on location, specialty, and work shift.
Along with the base pay, travel nurses also receive extra compensation in the form of:
- mileage, housing, and meal stipends
- referral bonuses
- travel reimbursements
Because travel nurses are assigned to work in areas where there is a high demand, they can expect to receive high wages during their assignments.
Traveling as a nurse is an ideal experience for individuals who wish to have flexibility in their work.
6. Start A Side Hustle
Earning side income is another great way for nurses to increase their yearly salary. Nurses are in an ideal position to use their nursing knowledge in a variety of ways.
Freelance work as a healthcare writer or blogger is one way nurses can provide their contributions. They can help develop content for websites, blogs, journals, and other educational resources.
Nurses are also presented with the opportunity to tutor undergraduate or graduate nursing students. This is another flexible option where nurses can set their own rates and schedules.
Other part-time jobs that nurses can use to increase their salary are:
- nursing instructor
- healthcare transcriptionist
- telehealth nursing
- first aid or CPR instructor
Increase Your Nursing Income Today
There are many ways that a nurse with a BSN can earn a six-figure salary. By diversifying their income and pursuing additional training opportunities, nurses are more than capable of making $100,000 or more a year.
