What can you do with a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University?

First, some facts. Of the Nursing graduates from Northern Illinois University 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 26 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Nursing graduates from Northern Illinois University have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 38% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Nursing graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What do Nursing graduates from Northern Illinois University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University?
• What are the best colleges for Nursing?

View a random Nursing graduate from Northern Illinois University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2013 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Registered Nurse Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Dec 2013 - Nov 2016 As a Registered Nurse, the individual employs nursing knowledge and skills directly learned from their Bachelor's degree in Nursing on a daily basis. Charge Nurse, Cardiac Rehab Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital 2018 - Present The role of Charge Nurse in Cardiac Rehab directly utilizes advanced nursing skills, making it a strong fit for someone with a Bachelor's in Nursing. Nurse Manager Cardiopulmonary Rehab Northwestern Medicine Nov 2021 - Present As a Nurse Manager in Cardiopulmonary Rehab, the position requires extensive nursing knowledge and leadership skills relevant to the Bachelor's in Nursing, affirming its high relevance. ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Registered Nurse
• Nurse Practitioner
• Travel Registered Nurse
• Staff Nurse
• Emergency Room Nurse, Float Pool
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Patient Care Technician
• Advanced Practice Nurse
• Insurance Specialist II
• Medical Staff Associate - RN

When looking at the careers of people who graduated with a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University, it's pretty clear that most of them have landed jobs that are directly related to nursing. Roles like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and various specialized nursing positions—such as Trauma Nurse and Labor and Delivery Nurse—dominate the landscape. These positions all leverage the skills and knowledge that they gained from their studies, making them highly relevant to their degree. The hands-on patient care aspect, critical thinking, and extensive medical knowledge showcased in these roles underline how well their education prepared them for the workforce.

However, it's not all nursing-related jobs. Some individuals have ventured into roles like insurance specialist or quality improvement positions, which don't require the intense application of nursing skills that their degrees would suggest. These are more administrative or managerial roles and tend to utilize only some aspects of their nursing background. Overall, though, the pattern shows that a significant number of Northern Illinois University nursing graduates still pursue careers that embody their training and expertise, which is a pretty solid reflection of the value of their education in nursing.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Nursing graduates (this is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University):

What kind of career trajectories do Nursing graduates from Northern Illinois University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From the data you've shared, it seems like graduates who earned a nursing degree from Northern Illinois University generally carve out solid career paths relevant to their field. Right after graduating, many of them start in entry-level nursing positions, like working as registered nurses in hospitals or health systems. For example, graduates from 2012 began their careers at renowned institutions like Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare and SwedishAmerican Health System, showing a trend toward direct patient care in diverse clinical settings.

As time goes on, the trajectory of these nursing graduates often leads them into more specialized roles, management positions, or even academic opportunities. About five to ten years after graduation, we see many alumni advancing to roles like nurse practitioners, clinical coordinators, or nursing instructors, which indicates a healthy progression in their careers. A good handful of them eventually specialize in critical care, occupational health, or even take up roles that focus on quality improvement in healthcare. While there are some outliers who may have opted for non-nursing roles early on, the majority have consistently remained within the healthcare field, showcasing a strong commitment to their profession and indicating a pathway of growth and development that aligns well with their nursing education. Overall, it looks like NIU nursing graduates tend to do well and find meaningful careers in healthcare that build on their initial degree.

How hard is a Nursing degree from Northern Illinois University?

Hey there! So, a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, whether at Northern Illinois University or anywhere else, tends to be on the tougher side compared to a lot of other degrees. You've got a mix of science-heavy coursework like anatomy and physiology, plus hands-on clinical practice that can be pretty intense. It definitely requires a solid commitment and some serious study skills, especially when you're balancing classes and clinical rotations. But don't get me wrong—it can also be super rewarding and interesting if you’re passionate about helping people. If you’re ready to dive into a challenging but fulfilling journey, nursing can be a great path!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Nursing.

Do Nursing graduates from Northern Illinois University tend to make good money?

Looking at these NIU nursing graduates, it seems like many of them have made decent money throughout their careers, especially considering the progression from entry-level roles to more advanced positions. For instance, those who have moved up to managerial or specialized roles, like the Occupational Health Team Leader or Quality Improvement Specialist, likely saw a nice bump in their salaries. Plus, the shift towards advanced practice roles—like Nurse Practitioners—generally comes with higher pay. Some graduates even dipped their toes in teaching or administrative positions, which can be lucrative, too. Of course, factors like location and specific healthcare facilities will impact earnings, but overall, it looks like they've carved out pretty solid salaries since entering the workforce, especially when you think about how nursing is a well-respected and in-demand field.

What buzzwords do Nursing graduates use to describe themselves?

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 is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Nursing?

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:

College	Score	Count
University of Pittsburgh	100	11
University of Louisville	100	18
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania	100	11
Excelsior College	100	12
Austin Peay State University	100	11
Widener University	100	22
University of Missouri-Columbia	99	12
Towson University	99	29
San Diego State University	99	19
Florida Atlantic University	99	21
University of Virginia	99	19
California State University-Long Beach	99	11
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	99	10
Quinnipiac University	99	26
Fairfield University	99	23
Columbus State University	99	10
University of South Carolina Upstate	99	15
University of Scranton	99	10
Angelo State University	99	10
Aurora University	99	12
Auburn University at Montgomery	99	10
Viterbo University	99	10
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston	99	15
Drexel University College of Nursing & Health Professions Division of Undergraduate Nursing	99	11
Galen College of Nursing	99	13
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)	99	11
Duquesne University School of Nursing	99	11
Michigan State University	98	16
Liberty University	98	24
Grand Valley State University	98	20
University of Delaware	98	20
Northern Arizona University	98	26
Northeastern University	98	20
University of Connecticut	98	15
Drexel University	98	18
Boston College	98	13
University of Massachusetts Lowell	98	11
Minnesota State University, Mankato	98	12
North Dakota State University	98	14
California State University San Marcos	98	16
New Mexico State University	98	10
Tarleton State University	98	10
University of Portland	98	20
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh	98	10
Purdue University Northwest	98	11
Curry College	98	20
Mount Saint Mary College	98	15
University of St. Francis	98	10
Regis College	98	16
Clarkson College	98	10
University of Wisconsin-Madison	97	18
Brigham Young University	97	27
San Francisco State University	97	23
James Madison University	97	28
California State University-Sacramento	97	12
Illinois State University	97	13
Brigham Young University - Idaho	97	26
University of Cincinnati	97	22
Ball State University	97	12
Old Dominion University	97	13
West Chester University of Pennsylvania	97	15
University of Illinois at Chicago	97	15
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	97	20
Stephen F. Austin State University	97	17
Seton Hall University	97	10
New Jersey City University	97	10
Miami Dade College	97	19
West Coast University	97	126
The College of St. Scholastica	97	27
Molloy College	97	25
Indiana University Kokomo	97	10
Resurrection University	97	16
Penn State University	96	27
University of Central Florida	96	37
Texas A&M University	96	13
University of Florida	96	21
University of Arizona	96	15
University of Kentucky	96	14
The University of Alabama	96	16
University of South Carolina	96	14
University of New Hampshire	96	14
Boise State University	96	15
San Diego State University-California State University	96	12
Marquette University	96	13
University of San Francisco	96	33
University of Massachusetts Boston	96	19
Saginaw Valley State University	96	15
University of Missouri-Saint Louis	96	10
Ramapo College of New Jersey	96	16
Seattle University	96	22
National University	96	19
Bethel University	96	17
Creighton University	96	10
La Salle University	96	20
Midwestern State University	96	10
Saint Anselm College	96	10
King University	96	12
Mount Saint Mary's University	96	12
Mississippi University for Women	96	11
College of Mount Saint Vincent	96	14
Holy Family University	96	12
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center	96	13
Samuel Merritt University	96	16
Arizona State University	95	42
Florida State University	95	13
Purdue University	95	24
University of Michigan	95	15
West Virginia University	95	18
University of Arkansas	95	29
Kennesaw State University	95	12
Sam Houston State University	95	16
The University of Akron	95	17
University of Miami	95	14
The University of Texas at El Paso	95	15
Loyola University Chicago	95	22
Azusa Pacific University	95	28
Capella University	95	51
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi	95	19
California Baptist University	95	34
Winona State University	95	19
University of North Carolina Wilmington	95	12
Wilmington University	95	11
Salem State University	95	14
The University of Toledo	95	11
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	95	12
Stevenson University	95	10
University of Indianapolis	95	11
Valparaiso University	95	12
SUNY Brockport	95	12
Salve Regina University	95	10
MidAmerica Nazarene University	95	10
The Ohio State University	94	26
The University of Texas at Austin	94	22
University of South Florida	94	34
Western Governors University	94	227
San Jose State University	94	21
Kent State University	94	35
University of Pennsylvania	94	12
Texas Woman's University	94	39
Saint Louis University	94	18
Chamberlain University	94	250
Lamar University	94	16
University of Texas at Tyler	94	19
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth	94	10
University of Michigan-Flint	94	14
Georgia College & State University	94	11
Bemidji State University	94	11
Pacific Lutheran University	94	11
Saint Xavier University	94	13
Jacksonville University	94	18
Wagner College	94	12
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences	94	22
University of Detroit Mercy	94	16
Aspen University	94	10
Grand Canyon University	93	195
Auburn University	93	17
East Carolina University	93	36
Baylor University	93	13
Oakland University	93	23
Eastern Michigan University	93	14
California State University-San Bernardino	93	10
Texas Christian University	93	25
Northern Kentucky University	93	10
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	93	10
Villanova University	93	30
Indiana Wesleyan University	93	46
University of Central Missouri	93	10
Hunter College	93	18
Adelphi University	93	38
Sacred Heart University	93	15
Simmons College	93	10
University of Maryland School of Nursing	93	10
Ohio University	92	123
The University of Texas at Arlington	92	125
University of Rhode Island	92	27
Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis	92	11
Jacksonville State University	92	15
Olivet Nazarene University	92	17
Walden University	92	22
Union University	92	13
Mount Carmel College of Nursing	92	24
Loma Linda University	92	10
UT Health San Antonio	92	14
Southern New Hampshire University	91	25
New York University	91	17
Clemson University	91	21
Northern Illinois University	91	26
Weber State University	91	18
Indiana State University	91	14
South Dakota State University	91	16
Nova Southeastern University	91	33
Madonna University	91	14
Dominican University of California	91	13
Lourdes University	91	11
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	90	11
Western Kentucky University	90	10
University of Alabama at Birmingham	90	16
East Tennessee State University	90	20
University of Missouri-Kansas City	90	11
Case Western Reserve University	90	10
Davenport University	90	12
York College of Pennsylvania	90	13
South University	90	42
Cedarville University	90	15
Regis University	90	15
Chamberlain College of Nursing	90	116
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	90	44
Nevada State College	90	11
University of Phoenix	89	59
University of Washington	89	13
University of Utah	89	11
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	89	16
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	89	14
Winston-Salem State University	89	17
St. Petersburg College	89	13
Barry University	89	17
Herzing University	89	15
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center	89	17
Florida International University	88	22
Georgia Southern University	88	19
Montana State University-Bozeman	88	11
Southwestern Oklahoma State University	88	10
University of Nebraska Medical Center	88	13
George Mason University	87	18
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire	87	13
Kaplan University	87	17
Immaculata University	87	15
Alverno College	87	13
Duquesne University	86	13
McNeese State University	86	17
University of Mississippi Medical Center	86	16
University of North Florida	84	14
Western Carolina University	84	10
University of West Georgia	83	13
Chamberlain College of Nursing-Addison Campus	83	14
Maryville University of Saint Louis	82	11
American Sentinel University	81	11
Thomas Jefferson University	80	12
Malone University	76	10
Georgia State University	74	14