Family, Adult, Women's Health, Pediatric, Neonatal, Geriatric, Mental Health
Employers:
Hospitals
Clinics and medical centers
Physicians' offices and medical groups
Outpatient surgery centers
Ambulatory care centers
Home health agencies
Nursing care facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Hospices
Dialysis centers
Diabetes care clinics
Birth centers
Psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies
Health maintenance organizations
Educational institutions
Summer camps
Large corporations
Correctional facilities
Strategies & Information:
Work or volunteer in healthcare and medical settings during summers and breaks.
Shadow nurses in different settings to learn which ones hold the most appeal.
Gain experience through externship or internship programs.
Take electives in areas such as wellness, holistic health, medical ethics, and death and dying.
Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Learn to be organized and to manage stress well.
Develop patience, the ability to work with both patients and families for long periods, and good listening skills. Learn to work effectively with people from different cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Prepare to work nights, weekends, and holidays in a hospital setting.
Cultivate managerial skills for head nurse or other supervisory positions.
Many specialties exist and some nurses combine specialties, e.g. pediatric oncology.
Obtain a master's or doctoral degree for advanced practice nursing. Some specialties may also require certification.
Join relevant professional associations and plan to attend continuing education programs.
Area:
Community and Public Health
Sub-Area:
Home Health
Rural Nursing
Health Education and Promotion
Employers:
State and local health departments
Home healthcare agencies
Public schools
Daycare centers
Mental health facilities
Senior centers
Nurse-run clinics
Religious organizations
Social service agencies
Wellness centers
Community education programs
Strategies & Information:
Develop knowledge and skills in management, decision-making, motivating, teaching, counseling, speaking, and writing.
Gain experience with handling emergencies, working independently, and demonstrating flexibility.
Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies.
Learn to relate well with people from a variety of backgrounds.
Some positions may require a master's degree in nursing, public health, or a related field.
Take continuing education courses in topics such as smoking cessation, nutrition and fitness, and stress management.
Area:
Independent Practice
Sub-Area:
Temporary Staffing
Travel Nursing
Personal Services Contracting
Private Duty
Employers:
Healthcare staffing agencies
Travel companies
Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
Private households
Strategies & Information:
Gain years of experience in a hospital or other healthcare setting.
Learn to work autonomously and make decisions independently.
Be prepared to move frequently to various locations either locally or abroad.
Become flexible and adaptable.
Area:
Government Service
Sub-Area:
Staff Nursing
Administration
Policy Development
Research
Employers:
Government health agencies including:
Public Health Service
Indian Health Service
Veterans Affairs
Peace Corps
VISTA
Armed services
Prisons
Strategies & Information:
Define an area of interest since government work offers a variety of practices.
Earn a master's or doctoral degree for positions involving research, policy development, or administration.
Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems, and beliefs.
Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.
Area:
Telehealth
Sub-Area:
Provide care and advice through electronic communications media (phone, Internet).
Employers:
Call centers
Private offices
Clinics
Health maintenance organizations
Hospitals
Strategies & Information:
Work in other practices for five to ten years to gain the necessary experience.
Develop good communication skills and the ability to make important decisions quickly.
Earn the Telehealth Nurse Cerfitication.
Area:
Nursing Research
Sub-Area:
Employers:
Large hospitals and medical centers
Colleges and universities
Centers for nursing research
National Institute for Nursing
Pharmaceutical companies
Strategies & Information:
Gain experience with research through supervised independent study or class projects.
Develop curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, persistence, good writing skills, and an understanding of statistics.
Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
Obtain a doctoral degree in nursing.
Area:
Education
Sub-Area:
Teaching
Educational Administration
Employers:
Teaching hospitals
Colleges and universities
Schools of nursing
Strategies & Information:
Develop patience, sensitivity to the needs of young adults as well as patients, and the ability to accept responsibility for the actions of others.
Take courses in the principles and practices of teaching.
Earn an advanced degree to teach at the college or university level.
Gain experience in public speaking.
Area:
International Health
Sub-Area:
Clinical Nursing
Emergency Relief
Policy Development
Employers:
Embassies
Military bases
National or international government agencies
Non-governmental organizations
Humanitarian organizations
Private voluntary organizations
Church-related mission services
World Health Organization
Strategies & Information:
Consider advanced education as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner to be more marketable.
Learn a foreign language and an appreciation for other cultures. Study or volunteer abroad.
Participate in medical mission trips.
Inquire about the need for additional preparation in religious studies or similar courses.
Research nursing requirements in other countries.
Area:
Other Areas
Sub-Area:
Insurance:
Underwriting and Claims
Sales
Product Management
Quality Assurance
Writing
Law
Forensic Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Information Management
Patient Advocacy
Case Management
Employers:
Insurance companies
Hospitals
Health maintenance organizations
Business and industry:
Pharmaceutical companies
Medicalequipment and supplies manufacturers
Medical marketing firms
Law firms
Medical and health publications
Healthcare websites
Healthcare advertising agencies
Public relations firms
Professional associations
Strategies & Information:
Combine interest in nursing and healthcare with another field by earning appropriate graduate degrees or gaining relevant experience.
Minor in business or communications as an undergraduate.
Develop strong computer skills and an understanding of business practices.
Gain experience as a staff nurse before taking expertise in another direction.
Demonstrate initiative and effective leadership.
Get involved with relevant professional associations.
General Information and Strategies
Nursing is the largest healthcare field. Three out of five nurses work in hospitals. Many nurses work part-time.
Nursing combines science and technology with the desire to help people. One must enjoy helping people of all types and backgrounds.
Nursing requires both physical stamina and emotional stability. Nurses must be able to follow orders and direct others.
Other qualities important to the field include orientation to detail, sympathy and concern, responsibility, and the ability to handle stress and emergency situations.
There are multiple educational paths to acquire the Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree and the Registered Nurse (RN) designation. Research alternatives such as accelerated BSN programs or Master's Entry programs.
All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure. Investigate individual state requirements if planning to relocate.
Earn a master's degree to prepare for advanced practice nursing including: clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and administration. Earn a doctoral degree for research or teaching at a university.
Many opportunities outside of traditional nursing exist for RN's who want to work in non-clinical roles. Research the skills, experiences, and degrees necessary to attain these positions.