Are you looking for the different career opportunities in Nursing profession?
In this article you will find out the different career opportunities you can do in the nursing profession.
Nursing is one of the most respectable health care professions. To become a nurse isn’t an easy task because you have to write series of professional exams before you can be called a registered nurse.
Before or after you’ve become a registered nurse, you need to know the different career opportunities in Nursing profession.
The pay rate differs in each of them depending on the country as well as the institution you are working for.
But first who is a Nurse?
Who is a Nurse?
There is this mentality that a nurse is an individual that check vital signs and administer medications. The function of a nurse is more than just check patient’s vital signs and administration of medications.
According to International Council of Nurses (ICN), a Nurse is an individual who has completed a program of basic, generalized nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority or body to practice nursing in his/her country. This individual must be prepared and licensed; to practice the general scope of nursing which includes promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of physically ill, mentally ill and disabled of all ages in all settings; to carry out health care teaching; to actively participate in the health care team and be involved in health research.
The fact is, the roles of Nurses are more than the vital signs and administration of prescribed drugs.
Now let us look at the career opportunities in Nursing.
What are the career opportunities in Nursing profession?
Below are the list of specialities in the Nursing profession:
- Certified Dialysis Nurse
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Radiology Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
- Transplant Nurse
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nurse Educator
- Forensic Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Researcher
- Sport Nurse
- Nurse Informatics
- Legal Nurse Consultant
- Nurse Midwife
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Travel Nurse
- Nursing Administrator
- Military Nurse
- Critical Care or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
- Diabetes Nurse
- Flight Nurse
- Parish Nurse
- Camp Nurse
- Dermatology Nurse
- Genetic Nurse
- Neuroscience Nurse
- Cardiovascular Nurse
- School Nurse
- Correctional Nurse
- Surgical Nurse (Such as Plastic Surgery Nurse)
- Obstetrics Nurse
- Trauma Nurse
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Health Policy Nurse
- Medical-Surgical Nurse
- Nurse Advocate
- Nurse Attorney
- Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Nurse
- Pain Management Nurse
- Perianesthesia Nurse
- Ophthalmic Nurse
- Orthopedic Nurse
- Neonatal Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Geriatric Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Domestic Violence Nurse
- Nephrology Nurse
- Gastroenterology Nurse
- Nurse Entrepreneur
- Missionary Nurse
- Oncology Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Enterostomy Nurse
- Burn Care Nurse
- Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
- Respiratory Nurse
- Developmental Disability Nurse
- Operating Room or Perioperative Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Family Planning Nurse
- Wound Care Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
- Research Nurse
- Accident and Emergency Nurse
- Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse
- Rheumatology Nurse
- Substance Abuse Nurse
- Veterinary Nurse
- Dental Nurse
For those who don’t understand the meaning of the above listed career opportunities in Nursing, below is a brief definition of each of the career opportunities in Nursing profession:
- Certified Dialysis Nurse: They are registered nurses that are specially trained nurses who support patients that require dialysis. Dialysis is for those patients that suffer from kidney failure and depend on it to do the work of filtering and excreting waste when their kidneys no longer can.
- Occupational Health Nurse: Occupational health nurses are involved in the promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from work-related and environmental hazards.
- Radiology Nurse: These are health professionals who care for patients who need to undergo radiation therapy (which is one way to treat illnesses, like cancer) or diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Rehabilitation Nurse: They assist individuals with disabilities and chronic illness in order to attain optimal function, health, and adapt to an altered lifestyle.
- Transplant Nurse: A transplant nurse is the member of the transplant team they provide care to patients who are receiving or donating organs, assisting in every phase of organ and tissue donation.
- Nurse Case Manager: A Nurse case manager is a registered nurse that develops, implements, and reviews healthcare plans for patients that are recovering from serious injuries, or dealing with chronic illnesses.
- Nurse Educator: Nurse educators are registered nurses that have obtained advanced nursing degrees which allow them to teach nursing curriculum at colleges and universities, teaching and helping to train the future nurses of the world.
- Forensic Nurse: Forensic nurses are registered nurses who have received advanced education and training to provide care to patients who experienced victimization or violence and in order to gather medical evidence and provide expert testimony that can be used in court.
- Nurse Practitioner: They assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, formulate and prescribe medications and treatment plans.
- Nurse Researcher: Nurse researchers provide evidence used to support Nursing practices
- Sport Nurse: These are registered nurses who has specialized training in the care of athletes and other active individuals.
- Nurse Informatics: Nurse informatics provides information about new workflows, guides new technology and process implementation, and assesses data quality, giving healthcare teams the best chance of optimal care delivery.
- Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC): LNCs are registered nurses that work with attorneys and law firms on medical cases. Using a combination of medical and legal knowledge, LNCs are the individuals responsible for providing much-needed health care guidance to legal professionals representing both patients and health care workers.
- Nurse Midwife: A trained registered nurse that provide care to pregnant women, before, during and after childbirth.
- Nurse Anesthetist: A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia to patient for surgery or other medical procedures.
- Travel Nurse: Travel nurses are registered nurses who work in short-term roles at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities around the world.
- Nursing Administrator: Nursing administrators are involved in the supervision and recruitment of nurses in the healthcare sector.
- Military Nurse: Military nurses are nurses that provide care to the military officers in the frontline. They also work in Military hospitals/clinics.
- Critical Care or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse: ICU nurses or critical care nurses are highly specialized and trained healthcare providers who provide nursing care to patients with life-threatening illnesses or conditions.
- Diabetes Nurse: Diabetes nurses provide care to patients with diabetes.
- Flight Nurse: Flight nurses are trained registered nurses that provide care to patients on airplane.
- Parish Nurse: Parish nurses are registered nurses that provide care to members of the parish or faith community
- Camp Nurse: Camp nurses are nurses that provide care to members in a camp.
- Dermatology Nurse: They work with dermatologist in the treatment and care of patients with diseases, wounds, injuries, and other skin conditions.
- Genetic Nurse: Registered nurses that provide genetic healthcare to patients.
- Neuroscience Nurse: Neuroscience nurses focuse on the care of individuals with brain, spine and nervous system disorders.
- Cardiovascular Nurse: They focus on patients with cardiovascular disorders.
- School Nurse: Nurses that work in schools.
- Correctional Nurse: Nurses that work in correctional facilities such as prison.
- Surgical Nurse (Such as Plastic Surgery Nurse): They are involved in surgical procedures alongside with other surgical team.
- Obstetrics Nurse: They focus on the care of the sexual and reproductive aspects of patients.
- Trauma Nurse: Trauma Nurses focus on treating and diagnosing traumatic injuries or illnesses that put their patient’s bodies and lives at immediate risk of physical duress.
- Family Nurse Practitioner: A family nurse practitioner provides continuous and comprehensive healthcare for the individual and family across all ages, genders, diseases, and body systems.
- Health Policy Nurse: Nurses that are involved in healthcare policies.
- Medical-Surgical Nurse: Registered nurses that provide care to patients who are preparing for or recovering from surgery.
- Nurse Advocate: Nurses that preserve human dignity, promote patient’s equality, and providing freedom from suffering.
- Nurse Attorney: These are nurses that are licensed to work as both lawyers and as nurses
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Nurse: These are nurses that provide care to patients with ear, nose and throat problem.
- Pain Management Nurse: They provide care to patients with Pain.
- Perianesthesia Nurse: They provide care to patients undergoing or recovering from anesthesia.
- Ophthalmic Nurse: They provide care to patients with eye disorder
- Trauma Nurse: They help patients who are suffering from an acute injury or illness where the cause of injury is accidental, intentional, or unidentified.
- Orthopedic Nurse: Nurses that provide care to patients with bone or musculoskeletal disorder.
- Neonatal Nurse: Nurses that provide care to newborn babies.
- Pediatric Nurse: These are nurses that provide care to children under the age of 18
- Geriatric Nurse: These are nurses that care for older adults or the elderly.
- Public Health Nurse: These are nurses that focus on promoting and protecting the health of the general public.
- Community Health Nurse: These are nurses that focus on promoting and protecting the health of a community.
- Domestic Violence Nurse: These are nurses that work towards the creation of a violence free community. They also care for patients who are victim of physical or emotional abuse within a domestic setting.
- Nephrology Nurse: These are nurses are registered nurses (RNs) with specialized education and experience in caring for patients who are experiencing, or are at risk for, kidney disease.
- Gastroenterology Nurse: They care for patients with disorders or diseases of the digestive tract.
- Nurse Entrepreneur: These are nurses that are involved in one business or investments which is either related to health or not.
- Missionary Nurse: These are nurses that provide care in missionary homes or hospitals
- Oncology Nurse: These are nurses that provide care to patients with cancer.
- Clinical Nurse: These are nurses that provide optimal care to patient in clinics.
- Enterostomy Nurse: Nurses that provide optimal care to patient with urinary and fecal diversions/incontinence
- Burn Care Nurse: These are nurses that provide care with patients with burns
- Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse: These are nurses that provide care to children under the age of 18 with endocrine disorders.
- Respiratory Nurse: Nurses that provide care to patients with respiratory diseases.
- Developmental Disability Nurse: These are nurses that provide care to patients with developmental disabilities.
- Operating Room or Perioperative Nurse: These are nurses that work with other surgical team. They prepare patients for surgery.
- Psychiatric Nurse: These are trained nurses that provide care to patients with mental disorder.
- Family Planning Nurse: These are nurses that are involved in birth control. They provide counsels to patients on the important of birth control and also administer contraceptives to patients.
- Wound Care Nurse: These are registered and trained nurses that provide care to patients with wounds
- Palliative Care Nurse: Palliative care nurses also known as hospice nurses, are certified medical professionals who provide healthcare to terminal patients after recovery is no longer feasible. They may work in a hospital or hospice center or travel to the patient’s home.
- Research Nurse: These are nurses that identify research questions, design and conduct scientific studies, collect and analyze data and report their findings in order to provides evidence used to support nursing practice.
- Accident and Emergency Nurse: Accident and emergency nurses professional nurses who work in emergency rooms or other emergency settings to care for patients in need of urgent care.
- Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse: Aesthetic nurses which are also known as cosmetic nurses, are registered nurses that provide aesthetic or cosmetic services and care to their patients.
- Rheumatology Nurse: These are registered nurses that deal with patients with rheumatic diseases that affect the joints and muscles, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, myositis, spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease.
- Substance Abuse Nurse: These are registered nurses that specializes in the treatment of patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or other substances. Substance abuse Nurse are also known as Addiction Nurse.
- Veterinary Nurse: These are well trained nurses that provide care to animals
- Dental Nurse: They are involved in taking care of patients with oral diseases. They also promote oral hygiene.
Where Do Nurses Work?
Nurses can work in the following places:
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory Surgical Centers
- Correctional Facilities
- Federal and State Governments
- Offices of Physicians
- Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
- Clinics
- Research facilities
- Schools (Federal, State, Local, and Private)
- Companies etc.
Conclusion on career opportunities in Nursing
Each of the listed specialities in Nursing has different roles. The role of a Family planning nurse differs from that of a Psychiatric Nurse. Although before you can become any of this specialities listed above you must have had your RN license from the appropriate regulatory authority or body to practice as a Nurse in your country.
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