Your Guide to the Different Nursing Career Paths
Considering a career in nursing? You're not alone. Nursing is one of the most popular and fulfilling careers out there. Not only are nurses in high demand (the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of registered nurses will grow by 12% from 2019 to 2029), but they also report high levels of job satisfaction.
Some nurses choose to pursue advanced degrees so that they can provide primary care or specialty care to patients as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). NPs must complete a Master's or Doctoral degree program and pass a national certification exam in order to practice independently. Nurse Educators prepare future generations of nurses by teaching at nursing schools. They typically hold a Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing education.
One of the things that makes nursing such a great profession is the variety of career paths you can take. From working in a hospital to going into research to becoming a nurse practitioner, there are many ways to shape your career as a nurse. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most popular nursing career paths.
1. Bedside nursing
The vast majority of nurses work directly with patients, providing hands-on care and support. If you're interested in working with patients, bedside nursing could be the perfect career path for you. There are numerous sub-specialties within bedside nursing, including but not limited to pediatric nursing, oncology nursing, geriatric nursing, and trauma nursing. They can work in medical-surgical units, critical care units, emergency departments, or maternal-child health units.
2. Research
If you're interested in science and discovery, a career in research might be the right fit for you. Nurses who work in research conduct studies on everything from new treatments to health outcomes. They often work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to design and carry out their studies.
3. Nurse education
Nurse educators play an important role in training new nurses and helping them prepare for their careers. If you're interested in sharing your knowledge and helping others learn, a career in nurse education could be right up your alley. Nurse educators typically work at colleges and universities, but they can also be found working in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
4. Nurse informatics
Nurse informaticists combine their knowledge of both nursing and information technology (IT) to help improve patient care through the use of technology. If you're interested in using technology to make a positive impact on patient care, a career in nurse informatics could be the perfect fit for you. Nurse informaticists typically work in hospitals or other healthcare settings, but they can also be found working for software companies that develop healthcare applications or health insurance companies.
5. Nurse administration
If you're interested in leading and managing others, a career in nurse administration could be right for you. Nurses who work in administration typically hold positions such as director of nursing or chief nursing officer (CNO). They may also be responsible for developing policies, managing budgets, or overseeing departmental operations.
As you can see, there are many different types of nursing careers out there—which is great news for anyone considering entering this rewarding profession! No matter what your interests or passions may be, there's sure to be a nursing career path that's right for you. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring today!