You want to become a nurse — but what kind of nurse? Explore the many exciting job opportunities your nursing license can lead to. Now that you've earned your nursing degree, you're likely excited to get to work. There are a lot of jobs you can work with a nursing degree but nailing down the right position can be overwhelming.
This article explores different nursing jobs and the types of practices where nurses work. Whether you prefer to work with children, older adults, or researchers, this list can help you understand just what you can do with a nursing degree. While most nurses are registered nurses RNs with a bachelor of science in nursing BSN , there are far more jobs you can do depending on the type of nursing degree you have.
You can become a nurse with a two-year associate degree in nursing, follow the traditional BSN degree route, or earn a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice degree and become a nurse practitioner. There are tons of nursing specialties for which these degrees can prepare you. Check out the list below to find one that fits your career goals.
Providing critically ill patients with individualized care, acute care nurses carry out a variety of advanced nursing duties, from working as an integral part of the medical team to provide care for patients with life threatening medical conditions to implementing a care plan for patients recovering from surgery. They may also collect blood and tissue samples. Tasked with working as a part of the healthcare team to stabilize burn victims, prevent organ failure and infection, and achieve healing, these nurses often care for patients who require ventilation, work to alleviate their pain, provide wound care, and prevent further complications.
These nurses provide campers at summer camps and similar locations with medical care. Some also care for campground staff members and administrators. Camp nurses must ensure all participants are healthy enough to attend camp, coordinate and implement daily medication administration, and deal with any illnesses or injuries that arise.
CNAs observe and record patients' conditions and vital signs. They work under the supervision of RNs and other medical professionals who provide direct care for patients. Charged with educating communities about health risks and preventative measures, community nurses teach patients and their families about diseases, carrying out various controlling and preventative measures.
Community health nurses are also heavily involved in advocacy and public health policy development to address social justice issues. These experienced nurses provide advanced care for patients in intensive care units. Critical care nurses provide patient and family centered care.
They must possess solid clinical judgement and critical thinking skills, the ability to swiftly prioritize and advocate for patient interventions in emergency situations, and must know how to use advanced medical equipment and technology to provide optimal patient care.
Working under the direction of a vessel's chief doctor, physician, and lead nurse, these RNs care for individuals aboard cruise ships. Cruise ship nurses also act as first responders to emergency issues on the ship. Focusing on treating dermatological injuries or illnesses, these nurses care for individuals with wounds, diseases, trauma, and other skin conditions. They also instruct patients on how to protect their skin. Responsible for providing patient care and promoting self-care management for individuals with diabetes , these nurses monitor and educate patients.
Eligible candidates should hold a master's degree in nursing along with APRN status. Emergency room nurses care for patients suffering from a variety of traumas and illnesses that require emergency attention. These nurses focus on stabilizing and treating patients until they are ready to be admitted to the hospital or discharged. These nurses work in research laboratories, hospitals, and medical clinics, where they administer vaccines, check lab work, and assess patients' overall health during epidemics.
They also ensure patients meet specific protocols. Family nurse practitioners collaborate with other specialists to manage patients' conditions and provide referrals to appropriate services for injuries and long-term illnesses.
These professionals care for patients across the lifespan. Federal healthcare nurses provide care to patients in occupational health units, hospitals, and clinics, generally in veteran's affairs. They promote better health practices and educate patients and their families on current health issues.
Those working for the federal government are not limited to a particular medical setting. Health administration nurses serve in a variety of leadership roles. Along with leading a team of nurses and other healthcare professionals, they evaluate and implement nursing policies and demonstrate policy compliance. These nurses also ensure continuous quality improvement and optimal patient care by implementing up to date evidence-based nursing practices and are involved in difficult ethical decisions or unusual patient care circumstances.
Predominantly working in patients' homes or assisted living facilities, these nurses coordinate patient care activities with home health agencies, pharmacies, and physicians. Home health nurses also coordinate and supervise home healthcare staff members. Providing care for patients facing terminal illnesses, hospice nurses communicate directly with patients and their families and implement care plans to keep patients comfortable. Regardless of which level of nursing credential you choose, completing the TEAS test is a common education requirement you'll likely encounter.
Data represents national averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. Ranges do not represent starting salaries and employment conditions in your area may vary. It has since been updated to include information relevant to There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again. By selecting "Submit," I authorize Rasmussen University to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided.
There is no obligation to enroll. She is passionate about creating quality resources that empower others to improve their lives through education. Posted in General Nursing. Carrie Mesrobian Kirsten Slyter Brianna Flavin This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www. External links provided on rasmussen.
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U. Department of Education. Request More Information. Talk with an admissions advisor today. First Name Please enter your first name. Last Name Please enter your last name. Contact Information Email Address Please enter your email address. While most nurses enter the field with an associate or BSN degree, APRNs with a pediatric focus who have their MSN or doctor of nursing degree will find the highest demand for their services.
The American Nurses Credential Center administers the pediatric nursing certification program. RNs may qualify for this national exam after completing two years of work experience with a minimum of 2, hours in pediatric nursing.
As the baby boomer population ages, the demand for geriatric nurses has expanded. These RNs must complete broadly focused training to understand and treat the needs of the elderly population. They work closely with primary care physicians, social workers, families, and other caretakers to manage the healthcare issues of their patients and also help to educate them about their conditions and treatment options.
How to Become One: An RN without an advanced graduate degree can become a geriatric nurse, although APRNs with advanced training in a geriatric specialty at the master's or doctoral level will experience better employment prospects. Acute care nurses provide treatment to patients in need of immediate assistance for severe or life-threatening issues, such as heart attacks or sudden complications from chronic illnesses like diabetes.
This highly versatile nursing specialization offers 15 certifications in fields ranging from neonatal and pediatric acute care to adult cardiac and gerontology acute care. How to Become One: A valid RN license and an MSN or doctoral degree that leads to licensure as an acute care nurse practitioner opens up the best paying career opportunities.
Although certification requirements vary by state, acute care NPs must obtain specialty certifications based on their practice area. Oncology nurses care for patients receiving treatment for various stages of cancer. They typically specialize in subfields such as pediatric cancer, geriatric cancer, breast cancer, or hematology. These nurses administer chemotherapy, identify symptoms, and monitor progress.
Oncology nurses also play a crucial role in creating a comfortable and supportive environment for cancer patients. A graduate degree from an NP program that offers an oncology specialization will prepare nurses for advanced clinical roles and better paying career opportunities. Although not all states require these nurses to obtain oncology certification, this credential and graduate training can provide a competitive edge.
The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation offers the Oncological Certified Nurse credential and several specialized certifications. Whende M. Carroll, MSN, RN-BC, is the founder of Nurse Evolution, a resource center established to educate all nurses on how to expertly use technology, data, and innovation strategies to advance the profession.
Carroll graduated from Walden University with a master of science in nursing with a nursing informatics focus, and holds board certification in informatics nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
She is currently a senior editor at the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics OJNI , for which she regularly writes about big data-enabled emerging technologies. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Accredited Nursing Programs.
Neonatal Nurse Neonatal nurses work in intensive care units that care for infants at risk for complications and in need of specialized care. Nurse Midwife Advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum recovery can earn certification as nurse midwives. Clinical Nurse This type of APRN needs a master's or doctor of nursing degree in a specialized area of nursing practice.
School Nurse School nurses work in elementary, middle, and high schools in a crucial but underserved role. Dialysis Nurse Dialysis refers to the medical process of cleaning the blood of patients who suffer from kidney-related diseases. Public Health Nurse Public health nurses work with particular populations or communities, educating people on health and safety issues and assisting them with access to healthcare. Informatics Nurse Many organizations, including hospitals, nursing homes, insurance agencies, and public health agencies, use the services of informatics nurses to manage healthcare data and communications.
Nurse Anesthetist These APRNs administer anesthesia and pain medication, observe vital signs, make adjustments, and monitor patients during surgical procedures and in recovery. Nurse Educator Nurse educators are registered nurses who have completed advanced graduate training preparing them to teach nursing students in academic institutions or hospital nurse training settings.
Nurse Advocate Nurse advocates provide assessment, education, and representation for patients, coordinating between patients and their doctors. Nurse Researcher These highly specialized nursing professionals conduct scientific studies, analyze data, and report their findings about illnesses and improving healthcare. Trauma Nurse While working in emergency rooms, critical care units, or as part of emergency medical response teams, trauma nurses help take care of patients in critical, unstable, and life-threatening conditions.
Travel Nurse These RNs travel from one healthcare facility to another across the country, and sometimes internationally, to fill staffing needs for varying periods of time.
Pediatric Nurse This popular nursing specialty focuses on the healthcare needs of children from birth through adolescence. Geriatric Nurse As the baby boomer population ages, the demand for geriatric nurses has expanded.
Acute Care Nurse Acute care nurses provide treatment to patients in need of immediate assistance for severe or life-threatening issues, such as heart attacks or sudden complications from chronic illnesses like diabetes. Oncology Nurse Oncology nurses care for patients receiving treatment for various stages of cancer. Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree? Find the right nursing program for you.
0コメント