bsn waste without license?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 30, 2018

A bachelor's degree in nursing without an RN license opens the door to grad school in many non-nursing fields. But expect the questions related to why you are unwilling to be come licensed.

The types of work available is not answerable here - as so many variables exist.

Why not just take NCLEX and work as a nurse? Just curious

cleback · Sep 30, 2018

You can get a master's in something else. I have a master's in public health.

Are you working in another capacity in healthcare? My only thought is if you're going to be continuing your education in a health-related field, it's a good idea of have experience working in a health-related field. A master's in anything without related experience is... risky. Working as a nurse would just be easier to gain that valuable experience... and probably the highest paying.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2018

The BSN is a college degree.. You could pick any job that was asking for a Bachelor's degree. You do have knowledge in a health field. Just make sure that people understand that you do not have the RN license. The RN is only received after you take the licensing exam. But, the BSN can be used for jobs outside nursing.

As for going on to a Master's degree. You should check the requirements. If there is anything asking for an RN license, then no. If all they want is a Bachelor's degree in something, then yes, you could go on.

Any reason you do not want to take the licensing exam?

burtonmarg · Sep 30, 2018

Thanks, very incisive information...... Well, I am not sure nursing is for me, so to speak.

Alex_RN, BSN · Oct 1, 2018

A BSN is a 4-year degree and that is valuable. A lot of people work in jobs with unrelated degrees. It sounds like you are lacking direction. Why not just look for jobs and see what interests you? For me, location is very important. Network like crazy: Ask everyone you know. Talk to recruiters. Talk to HR departments at hospitals. What is your work experience? Is that something you can build on? Hobbies? Special interests?

Are there certificates you can earn in your areas of interest? I knew a career counselor who always told people that a 2nd bachelor's degree was usually a waste.

BoilermakerPete · Oct 1, 2018

Have you ever thought about being an OR nurse "circulator" with minimal patient contact or even a scrub nurse? Co-worker just took a job as a circulator in Atlanta making over $100k. It requires getting your license, of course.

RNrhythm, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2018

Is there a reason you are hesitant to sign up for the NCLEX?

I knew someone who worked in Occupational Safety with a certificate. I do not know if he had a 4-year degree. His background was construction and he did very well.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Oct 1, 2018

There's no degree that guarantees you work. All they do is give you something to market.

It's like that super useless gender studies degree, that makes you very valuable in tons of jobs when you follow it up with a master's in psychology. For some routes in advanced care nursing, a BSN is ueless to a nurse pursuing an MSN, but there's some biology degrees that are worth gold to that nurse.

Your BSN isn't wasted, but that all depends on how well you can market the knowledge that comes with getting that degree.

verene, MSN · Oct 1, 2018

You can probably get any job that just wants a generic "4-year degree." But you will face questions from employers about why you aren't working as a nurse or anything like it during applications. My first job hunt after college with my BA degree when trying to get jobs in the legal field I had a lot of questions about "While why aren't you using this to teach/do linguistics/work for the state department" type comments because those were the expected fields to go into with that degree.

Is there a reason why you are afraid/reluctant to take the NCLEX and work as a nurse? It doesn't have to be forever, but this is the job your degree prepared you for - and it is much easier to get a new job when you already job. Or a reason why you completed a degree for a job you know that you have no desire in working?

A BSN isn't completely useless in other fields, but most health-care related jobs will want at least some health-care related job experience. It's going to take some creativity on your part to sell the degree / educational experience to a non-health care arena.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 1, 2018

I'd recommend taking the NCLEX and getting the license -- even if you don't plan on ever working as a nurse. Having the license decreases the questions/speculation about your credentials and it might be to your benefit to have it someday. And the longer you wait to take the NCLEX, the harder it will be for you to pass should you ever want the license. So I'd take it, get the license, and maintain it just to have the credential for the future. You never know ...

carti, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2018

you're telling me you wasted 4 years of your life for a BSN degree, and you don't wanna take a 5 hour test to get your RN license?

no way this is real life, you must be trolling