According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession, with 4.2 million registered nurses in the country.
However, nurses aren’t limited to working in hospitals but can also opt for other specialized careers requiring specific skill sets. Here’s a list of some such options:
Emergency Nurse
Emergency nurses are responsible for providing emergency care to patients. They are usually employed in hospitals, emergency rooms, and other medical facilities.
The job of an emergency nurse can be stressful as they have to work on short notice and deal with life-threatening injuries. The specialized training these nurses receive makes them highly qualified professionals who can handle critical situations effectively when they arise.
An emergency nurse must have at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Some states require that applicants possess a license before they can practice as licensed nurses at their workplace. However, this requirement varies depending on the state where you live.
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator is a registered nurse (RN) who has advanced education and training in nursing education and typically works in academic settings such as colleges and universities, teaching and mentoring nursing students. They may also work in healthcare organizations, developing and delivering continuing education and training programs for current nurses.
The field of education for a nurse requires an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree (MSN). Nurses who are interested in teaching can also join online MSN nurse educator programs that allow them to complete their coursework from anywhere while also working full-time and without having to relocate for school.
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses are nurses who work for a particular company, and that company sends them to different locations all over the country. Nurses can work in many fields, settings, and hospitals as travel nurses. Travel nursing is an excellent way to gain experience in various types of healthcare facilities.
A popular choice among travel nurse positions is working with an on-site recruiter who helps them find a job at a hospital or other place of employment that fits their needs and interests. They also provide them with the necessary tools needed for the work, such as housing assistance or transportation needs.
According to Nurse.org, the average median pay of a travel nurse is USD 50 per hour, which is much more than the USD 37.31 per hour average median pay of a registered nurse.
Oncology Nurse
The American Cancer Society states that there were an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases in the U.S. in 2022 and 609,360 cancer-related deaths.
Oncology nurses are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients. Oncology nurses work with doctors to provide care and support to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. They may also be responsible for administering medications to treat their patient’s conditions.
Aesthetic Nurse
Aesthetic nurses are trained to treat patients who have skin conditions, cosmetic surgery, and cosmetic issues. They can even help you decide on the right kind of treatment for your specific needs. The role of an aesthetic nurse is growing in popularity, so if you’re interested in this career path, it may be a good idea to learn more about it now.
Forensic Medical Examiner
A forensic medical examiner is a pathologist who performs autopsies and investigates deaths. They are called upon to investigate the cause of death, injury, or disease when other methods fail to provide an answer.
They work in many different areas, such as:
- crime scene investigations
- medicolegal death investigations
- mass casualty incidents like natural disasters
- product liability cases
- military medicine and related issues or any other situation where forensic pathology skills are required beyond those provided by routine hospital practice.
Flight Nurse
A flight nurse is an RN who provides medical care during flights. Flight nurses are responsible for the maintenance of patients on board the plane, and they can be called upon to deal with medical emergencies in the air or on the ground.
They also have experience working with critically ill patients and patients who require special attention due to their age or condition.
Military Nurse
A military nurse is a nurse who is deployed to a war zone. They usually serve for a short period and are responsible for providing care to soldiers during their deployment.
Military nurses play an important role, as they provide essential health care services to those serving in the military or wounded in combat. Because of this, there are many specialized careers for military nurses which can allow them to make more money than other nurses do
Conclusion
Nurses play a vital role in society. They are responsible for the health and well-being of people. As mentioned earlier, nursing is a broad field with many specialization opportunities. While working as a nurse, you can choose from different areas of specialization. The choice is yours.