What can you do with a nursing degree besides nursing?

VANurse2010 · Oct 10, 2014

I know of people with BSNs who never actually practiced, but they did so by going back to school and getting graduate degrees in something else. I don't personally know any BSN people who just got another unrelated job out of nowhere.

bookwormom · Oct 10, 2014

I'd say, give the NCLEX another try, perhaps with a different study approach. Once you get into nursing, you will find that there are different things you can do, and many do not involve traditional nursing care. But you do have options. Yes, you can do other things, perhaps pharmaceutical sales, substitute teaching or any job which requires a Bachelors degree, but doesn't specifiy a particular discipline. You might look at your state's civil service list and put your name in for jobs which only require a college education.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

Tough spot to be in. Without an actual license to practice nursing, you cannot work in nursing, period. I would think you might be a potential for healthcare administration, something like that? Again, something that does not require one to be a NURSE, but with a related degree. Drug rep also comes to mind, as does adminstrator for a medical practice (IF you have sufficient business background, are coming from a management background, something complementary).

Best of luck to you.

SierraBravo · Oct 10, 2014

The fact that you said that you aren't passionate about nursing but you did it to appease your parents makes me think that perhaps you should move on and try something else. The NCLEX is rather fundamental and is designed to ensure you are able to provide day 1 safe care. Failing it 3 times doesn't mean that you won't eventually pass it, but given your previous statements why would you pursue it? Like the other person said, without a license you are not able to work in nursing. Period. Sure, you passed nursing school, but without passing the licensing exam you might as well have saved your money. Sounds like you need to sit down and do some soul searching and decide what it is that you really want to do, then pursue that.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

What can I do with a BSN other than nursing?

You can become a licensed nursing facility administrator. In the state where I live, persons with previous baccalaureate degrees in any major or concentration can complete the one semester program and pass the test to become licensed as an administrator.

However, this pathway will require yet another standardized test for licensure, so keep that in mind. Good luck to you.

RschIVF40 · Oct 11, 2014

I can understand your frustration. As you do have your nursing schooling background, some general ideas that come to mind include: pharmaceutical sales (if you like sales and people), health "coaching" for individuals, like in a gym or health spa around lifestyle changes. Or, taking more classes in business / management, or getting a nursing home administrator certification may then allow you to move over into a healthcare management / administrator role. Best wishes!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

Do you have some idea of what you are weak in. Does the NCLEX let you know where you're problems are? There are many different review books and programs out there. I would try using a different review study guide. Even if you don't want to work as a nurse, passing boards looks better in the interview process and should give you more options. I wouldn't give up yet.

Nola009 · Oct 11, 2014

I'm sure there are others like you. I would think that you could become a store or restaurant manager with any Bachelor's degree.

NeuroRehabRN · Oct 12, 2014

If I were you, I'd take a refresher course and try the NCLEX again. Also, get different books to help you. Saunders has a great NXCLEX prep book that helps you understand how the questions work (like ways to eliminate choices, etc). You went this far, so I would really recommend going for it. After that, do whatever you want. Whether or not you decide to try again, you could probably find a job as a Research Coordinator. It is mostly a desk job with a lot of paperwork. You will not be allowed to do any of the clinical stuff, they'll have an RN do that part. You also might be able to become some kind of educator in the medical field, like in nutrition or infant care. Also, some high schools have a health class that you might be qualified to teach. Good luck, but really, study and try the NCLEX again.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Oct 14, 2014

In some states, you may be able to use your degree to become a paramedic. Other job options could be a nanny, health and wellness coach, or health information manager.

mhy12784 · Oct 15, 2014

Makes zero sense to give up after 3 attempts to me.

I mean theres even the "random" factor that you could get asked just the "right" questions and pass. Hell the test is only 95% reliable, so if you took it 20 times, statistically you should pass once even if youre not "smart enough" to pass.

That said giving up on 3 attempts is incredibly weak. Considering you can take the test every 45 days, you should give it at LEAST a year of attempting/trying to pass. Which pans out to at least 8 attempts over the course of a year.

Not to be mean at all, but I cant imagine why a person would even bother going to nursing school if theyre going to give up that easy.

If you passed the NCLEX would you just apply to 3 jobs before giving up and saying you cant get a job?

Study up !!