The nursing profession offers a wide range of career paths to suit people with different interests and skill sets. Each nursing specialization offers unique challenges and rewards. If you are interested in pursuing nursing, you should first explore the different nursing careers available. That way, you can find a career that suits your interests and strengths and helps you make a positive impact on the healthcare system. One thing is for sure, regardless of your interests, there is a nursing career that can fulfill your professional and personal goals.
Here are some of the different nursing careers available and how they differ from each other:
Registered nurse (RN)
Most people will tell you that RNs are the backbone of the nursing profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the US has around 4.2 million RNs and out of these, around 84% are actively working in a nursing career.
These RNs usually have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and work in a range of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, schools and long-term care facilities. They are responsible for providing patient care, administering medications, and coordinating and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive the best possible care. Registered nurses have the option of pursuing advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become nurse practitioners and take on leadership roles.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
LPNs are responsible for providing basic patient care. They handle tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medications and helping patients with the activities of daily living. LPNs typically work under the supervision of RNs or physicians.
They can work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home health agencies, depending on their interests and career goals. Some licensed practical nurses specialize in certain areas, such as rehabilitation or hospice care.
Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
FNPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide primary care to patients of all ages. They can conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and educate patients and their families about how to stay healthy and prevent or handle chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.
To become an FNP, you first need to complete your bachelor’s degree in nursing and then become a registered nurse. After gaining clinical experience as an RN, you can enroll in a master’s program and specialize in family practice. As a licensed RN, you can enroll in the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner online program through Texas Woman’s University. You can complete this online master’s degree in 2.5 to three years if you enroll part-time. This advanced degree provides you with comprehensive knowledge and skills in family practice so that you can become a certified FNP and pursue a leadership role.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
A CNA provides direct patient care, including bathing and feeding patients and helping them with their mobility needs. A certified nursing assistant handles the daily care needs of patients and must work under the supervision of a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.
Many CNAs work in long-term care facilities or hospitals. However, they can also work in hospices and for home health agencies. If they want to assume more responsibilities, certified nursing assistants can become patient care technicians with additional training. Doing so allows them to take blood from patients and even perform EKGs.
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses. They are responsible for primary and specialty care. NPs can diagnose and treat illnesses, order diagnostic tests and prescribe medications. They may also provide patient education and counseling.
NPs can work in hospitals, clinics or private practices. Some also work in schools and community health centers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas has the highest number of employed NPs with close to 18,000.
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
A CNS is also an advanced practice nurse. These nurses specialize in a specific area of healthcare such as critical care or oncology. Usually, a CNS works with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and implement patient care plans and improve treatment outcomes. These nurses help patients and their families understand the care plan so that they have the relevant information to make informed decisions.
Typically, a CNS works in hospitals or clinics. However, in some cases, clinical nurse specialists can work in research and academic settings. In some hospitals and healthcare facilities, these nurses can take on the added responsibility of training new nurses.
Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
A certified nurse midwife is an advanced practice nurse who provides healthcare to women before, during and after childbirth. CNMs can handle births and postpartum care of mothers and newborns. However, the regulations vary from state to state. For instance, in Texas, CNMs can only work with pregnant women who have low birth risks. The nurses must also have a written agreement with a licensed, qualified doctor that they will transfer care of the patient to if a complication arises during labor. On the other hand, in New York, CNMs can handle both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.
In addition to prenatal care, attending to births and providing care to newborn babies and mothers after childbirth, CNMs also provide family planning and menopause management. They can work in several settings, including standalone birth centers, hospitals and private practices.
Neonatal nurse
A neonatal nurse is typically an RN who specializes in providing healthcare services to newborns, premature babies and infants with complex medical issues. These nurses work in neonatal nurseries or neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Since neonatal nurses are responsible for newborn babies, they need to be highly skilled in caring for and handling their patients. In addition, these nurses need to have sound knowledge and understanding of the latest neonatal treatments and technologies. As a part of their responsibilities, neonatal nurses also provide emotional support to parents and other family members.
Nurse educator
Sometimes, nurses do not want to work in healthcare facilities but would prefer to focus on training and teaching student nurses. Under such circumstances, nurses typically require a doctoral degree. They not only provide classroom and clinical instructions and evaluate the performance of student nurses, but nurse educators are also responsible for developing and implementing the program’s curriculum.
Many times, nurse educators partner with other healthcare professionals to ensure that the nursing education program meets the requirement for interprofessional collaboration. Usually, nurse educators work in colleges or universities; however, some can also work for government agencies.
Nurse researchers
If you are not eager to work in education or healthcare, you can become a nurse researcher. This career choice is the right one if you want to improve nursing care to ensure better patient outcomes. Invariably, nurse researchers conduct clinical trials, analyze large volumes of data and develop new models of patient care. They often collaborate with other healthcare professionals to design and develop evidence-based practice guidelines.
As these nurses are researchers, they work in research facilities or programs, or academic settings. They may collaborate with universities, research hospitals, private search firms or government agencies.
Travel nurse
Many nurses like to maintain an optimal work-life balance, so they prefer not to work full-time. Registered and licensed nurses can also work as travel nurses. These RNs work temporarily in hospitals, clinics or long-term care facilities.
Most travel nurses work with nurse staffing agencies that provide short-term staffing relief to healthcare facilities when they are facing nurse shortages or require additional nurses during peak seasons.
Forensic nurse
A forensic nurse works within the legal system and helps investigate crimes. You must be a registered nurse with a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing. Your tasks as a forensic nurse will involve working with victims of assault, abuse and trafficking. You may be responsible for collecting photographic evidence of abuse and injuries, recording the details that each victim tells you, helping coroners and partnering with law enforcement.
Forensic nurses also provide medical treatment to victims of assault and abuse. They may also be called upon to provide expert testimony when the case reaches court. These nurses work in law enforcement or can be associated with community health centers and hospitals.
Public health nurse
To become a public health nurse, you need to be a registered nurse with at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing. A public health nurse works in community health settings and is responsible for promoting health and wellness among community members and educating them on how to prevent illnesses.
Public health nurses administer vaccinations, perform health screenings and develop healthcare programs to improve the health of the community. Usually, these nurses work for government organizations or non-profit organizations. However, even community centers and local schools can employ their services.
School nurse
Some registered nurses prefer working with children in educational institutions. In this setting, their responsibilities are to provide healthcare services to students. This includes assessing and treating injuries and illnesses, providing health and sex education and administering medications.
Most school nurses work directly for school districts or government agencies. However, some schools employ them as well. School nurses not only help to keep students healthy but also help prevent the spread of communicable diseases among students.
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP)
AGNPs, also known as geriatric nurses, provide specialized healthcare to adults with geriatric needs, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. These nurses are RNs and have the skills, training and experience to deal with complex medical issues, chronic conditions and mobility issues.
AGNPs may work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities or home healthcare agencies. In addition to looking after the healthcare needs of older adults, these nurses also provide emotional support to their patients and their families.
Pediatric nurse
Some registered nurses provide healthcare only to children. Pediatric nurses have the expertise, knowledge and skills to handle a wide range of medical issues. They perform routine health checks and also treat and deal with serious injuries and ailments.
To deal with and connect with young patients, pediatric nurses have to be excellent communicators, kind, gentle and empathetic. They not only provide treatment and care to children but also lend emotional support to them and their parents.
Oncology nurse
If a registered nurse specializes in cancer care and treatment, they are referred to as oncology nurses. These nurses are not just experienced in dealing with and taking care of cancer patients but they also know the latest cancer treatments and technologies.
As a part of their responsibilities, oncology nurses provide emotional support to patients and their families. These nurses can work in cancer treatment centers, oncology departments of hospitals and private practices.
Hospice nurse
A hospice nurse provides healthcare services to terminally ill patients or those who are nearing the end of their lives. They usually work in hospice facilities but even hospitals and home care agencies employ them.
The main role of a hospice nurse is to ensure that patients are comfortable and as pain-free as possible in the twilight of their lives. They also provide emotional and physical support to patients and their families, particularly during the end-of-life process.
Psychiatric nurse
Registered nurses providing healthcare services to patients with mental health disorders are known as psychiatric nurses. These professionals are highly skilled in communicating with patients, who may have a wide range of emotions and behavioral patterns.
Psychiatric nurses need to keep learning so that they are aware of the latest mental health treatments and therapies. These nurses can work in hospitals, clinics or mental health facilities.
Emergency room (ER) nurse
ER nurses work in emergency departments in hospitals, trauma centers and urgent care clinics. They provide prompt healthcare services to patients with acute illnesses and injuries.
As an ER nurse, you need to make quick and sound decisions in a high-pressure environment. Working as an ER nurse can be stressful and challenging. You need to be adept in providing life-saving interventions and stabilizing patients before they are moved to another department in the hospital.
Critical care nurse
A critical care nurse provides healthcare services to patients with life-threatening conditions. Just like ER nurses, critical care nurses work in a high-pressure environment and need to think on their feet and make sound decisions to save the lives of their patients.
You can work as a critical care nurse in an ICU, trauma center or emergency department. It is prudent to remember that as a critical care nurse, you need to be well-versed in the latest treatments and technologies in this field.
As you can see, there are many different types of nurses. Nearly all nursing positions require that nurses be registered. If you are looking to specialize in a specific area, you may need to complete additional studies to acquire a master’s or doctoral degree.
How to choose your nursing specialty
If you are eager to specialize in a particular area of nursing, you need to consider numerous things before you decide. The right choice can immensely benefit your career and result in personal satisfaction. However, with so many different nursing specialties, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you. Here are some tips that can help you select the right nursing specialty:
Evaluate your interests and strengths
Determine your interests and strengths by considering the types of patients you like working with. Also, think about what kind of nursing care you find most fulfilling and rewarding. You should also consider the areas of nursing you excel in and the skills you have acquired through your nursing education and subsequent experience. Once you know your strengths and interests, make a list of different nursing specialties that you think would be a good fit for you.
Find out more about the different types of nursing
It is important to research different types of nursing, such as the ones mentioned above. You may want to delve into more detail to find out the scope of practice, patient population and the healthcare settings where you can practice the specialties you are interested in. It is a good idea to talk to nurses who work in the areas you are interested in. This will enable you to find out more about the field. You can also read articles and books as well as attend nursing events and conferences to gather more knowledge.
Think about your personal goals and values
When choosing a nursing type, you also need to consider your personal goals and values. For instance, if work-life balance is important to you, the last thing you may want to be is a critical care or ER nurse. Instead, you should think of being a school nurse or public health nurse. When choosing a nursing specialty, make sure that your choice aligns with your personal goals and values. This will help ensure you find your nursing career rewarding and fulfilling.
Look for mentorship
Sometimes, it can be hard to make a decision. That is where mentorship can help you out. Make an effort to be mentored by experienced nurses from different specialties. They will not only provide you with a better understanding of the work involved, the working hours, the work environment and starting salary, but they will also let you know the skills and knowledge you would need to be a good nurse. When you have a mentor, you will receive guidance and also get an opportunity to network and connect with other professionals in this field. You can join online forums and nursing organizations to find a mentor. Alternatively, you can connect with nurses in your local community.
Get experience in different nursing specialties
When you are studying, you can look for internships, volunteer work or job shadowing in different healthcare settings. This will enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the work of a nurse in each specialty that you have shortlisted. These opportunities will also look good on your resume when you finally decide to look for a job after becoming a registered nurse.
Wrapping up
You should explore all the different types of nursing careers before you choose one. It is important to remember that any field of nursing that you choose will enable you to make a positive impact on the healthcare system. Many of these nursing specialties require more than just being a registered nurse, so make sure that you also consider the required education and training so that you gain the relevant skills, experience and knowledge to excel in your chosen nursing career.