First, some facts. Of the Nursing graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 8702 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 93%, Nursing graduates have a substantially higher likelihood (+26%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 31% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Nursing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Colorado Technical University with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSystemwide Employee Heatlth Nurse ManagerMarshfield Clinic Health System Nov 2020 - Present ABOUT[NAME REMOVED] J. TheisenPhone: 715-851-2579E-mail: [EMAIL REMOVED]5658 Wildflower St Auburndale, WI 54412EducationBachelor of Science in NursingColorado Technical University4/2019Associate Degree in NursingNorthwestern Technical College 2009Work ExperienceSystemwide Employee Health Manager Full-time (11/20-Present)Marshfield Clinic Health System-Marshfield, WIStrong organizational and interpersonal skills Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations Collaborate with other department leaderships to ensure regulatory compliancyImplemented the CDC, CMS, OSHA regulatory compliancy for the entire health care system through the pandemic Hospital Supervisor Full-time (5/16-Present)Aspirus Wausau Hospital-Wausau, WIStrong organizational and interpersonal skills Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations Coordinate patient placement & staffing for a Level II trauma centerRespond to emergency situations (RRT, Code Blue) and assists as necessary. Hospital Supervisor Full-Time (5/11-5/16)ThedaCare Shawano-Shawano, WISupported day-to-day hospital operations in collaboration with multidisciplinary staff Coordinate patient placement & staffing for a Critical Access Hospital 25 bedsRespond to emergency situations (RRT, Code Blue) and assists as necessaryProvided care for patients & families in a Medical Surgical UnitManaged medication drips on step down patientsCritical thinking while assess patients, working in collaboration with providersStaff RN Full-Time (5/10-5/11)ThedaCare Shawano-Shawano, WIMedical Surgical DepartmentSpecial Care DepartmentProvided care for patients & families in a Medical Surgical UnitManaged medication drips on step down patientsCritical thinking while assess patients, working in collaboration with providersComputer SkillsEPIC Computer ChartingExcellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Access & ExcelAPI/Centricity Scheduling Program |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the job trajectories of individuals who have graduated with a nursing degree from different universities, it's clear there is a dominant path that many take after completing their studies. Most graduates land roles as Registered Nurses (RNs) across various healthcare settings. Overwhelmingly, these positions involve providing direct patient care, which necessitates utilizing the specific skills and knowledge acquired through their nursing education. The RN roles commonly reported include positions in hospitals, emergency departments, intensive care units, and pediatrics, where clinical skills such as patient assessment, medication administration, and care coordination are critical.
While Registered Nurse positions dominate the employment landscape for nursing graduates, there are numerous other roles that graduates have ventured into, ranging from Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to specialized roles like Critical Care Nurses and Clinical Educators. Many graduates in advanced practice roles utilize their foundational nursing education to provide specialized care or manage clinical environments. However, it's important to note that some positions, such as Nurse Manager or roles focusing more on administrative aspects of healthcare, may not engage the same level of direct nursing competencies daily. Some graduates have also entered into fields that apply their healthcare knowledge without necessarily falling under traditional nursing job titles, leading to a diversity in career paths within or tangential to the nursing profession.
In terms of relevance to their nursing degrees, the overwhelming majority of positions taken by these graduates directly utilize their training. Roles directly related to patient care—like RNs in various specialties—afford graduates the opportunity to apply their comprehensive knowledge and skills actively. Conversely, positions like Clinical Coordinators or Nurse Educators maintain ties to nursing education and practices, affirming their value of a nursing degree, though the everyday application may vary in intensity and focus compared to traditional nursing roles. On the other hand, jobs in management, sales, or other non-clinical roles do not offer the same depth of relevance to nursing, which raises questions about the direction some grads have taken.
To sum it up, while many nursing graduates stay true to core nursing functions and leverage their degrees in direct patient care roles, there's a spectrum of career paths reflecting the diverse applications of nursing knowledge in healthcare. As the healthcare landscape evolves and expands, graduates are likely to continue finding innovative ways to utilize their education, with a clear focus on patient outcomes remaining at the heart of the profession.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Nursing graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of nursing graduates, it's clear that many of them have successfully landed into nursing roles immediately after graduation, showcasing a progression that aligns well with their educational training. The typical first job after graduation tends to be a registered nurse (RN) position in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or specialized care facilities. This is evident in the profiles where graduates from different schools quickly jump into RN roles, some even securing jobs in critical care settings right out of the gate. For instance, several graduates have taken positions as RNs in emergency departments or intensive care units just months after earning their degree. This reflects the demand for nursing professionals in today’s healthcare system and suggests that these graduates are well-prepared for the challenges that await them in the field.
Fast forward five or ten years into their careers, and the alumni from these nursing programs show a mix of continued advancement within nursing and diversification into related fields. Many nurses transition into advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse educators, signifying a clear upward mobility and expansion of responsibilities. Others might branch out into specialized areas like critical care, pediatrics, or psychiatric nursing. However, there are also instances where graduates have moved into non-nursing roles, such as informatics or healthcare management, which can indicate a desire to shift focus from direct patient care. While most individuals appear to remain connected to the nursing profession in various capacities, there are a few who have veered completely away from the field, choosing paths in predominantly unrelated professional areas. Overall, it seems that nursing graduates typically find themselves within the nursing realm, making significant strides in both clinical and educational settings.
In summary, while most nursing graduates generally follow a successful trajectory in their field, there are scattered cases of individuals finding themselves in less relevant or unrelated careers, potentially due to a variety of personal or professional motivations. Overall, the majority appear to secure meaningful nursing roles early on and successfully advance within the profession over the years, aligning with the high demand for skilled nursing professionals in today’s healthcare landscape.
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing can be pretty challenging, especially if you're used to cruising through high school. You'll dive into a ton of complex subjects like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, along with hands-on clinical practice, which can be a whirlwind. There’s a good amount of studying, assignments, and exams, and the clinical rotations can really test your ability to manage time and stress. It’s definitely tougher than a lot of typical college degrees, so be prepared to put in the effort if you decide to go for it. But don’t worry, lots of people make it through, and it's totally worth it if you’re passionate about helping others!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Nursing.
When you scan through the LinkedIn profiles of these nursing graduates, it becomes pretty clear that many have been making solid progress in their careers. A lot of them hold steady positions in reputable hospitals and healthcare organizations, which generally have a good reputation for decent salaries and benefits. Many have advanced not only into specialized nursing roles but also into positions like nurse practitioners and clinical managers, indicating they’ve moved up the pay scale significantly. For instance, graduates working in emergency departments, ICU, and other critical care settings typically earn higher salaries compared to general nursing roles. Also, those who are involved in traveling nursing have the potential to earn even more, especially during high-demand periods, as indicated by several profiles.
That said, some profiles reveal a more mixed picture. A few individuals appear to have taken on roles that may not offer significant financial rewards, like educational positions or home health care, which can sometimes pay less compared to acute care settings. Inconsistent job changes or taking on roles like a case management nurse, while fulfilling, may not always come with higher salaries. In general, it looks like a good number of these nursing graduates are well on their way to making decent money, but it really depends on their specific roles, specialties, and locations, along with how ambitious they are about advancing their careers.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Nursing. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Nursing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Nursing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: