By Indeed Editorial Team Show
Updated February 22, 2021 | Published April 14, 2020 Updated February 22, 2021 Published April 14, 2020 If you are wondering how to choose a nursing career, you might start by thinking about what kind of nursing jobs interest you. Similarly, you could also research different nursing programs that are offered in your area. If you are considering a career in nursing, there are many types of nursing jobs and specialty certifications that you can pursue. In this article, we will explore some ways that you might choose your nursing career and a list of 10 nursing jobs that can help you get an idea of what kind of nurse you should be. How to choose a nursing careerWith the wide variety of programs, specialties and medical focuses available to nursing students, it can be tough to pick a career path. However, you might narrow down your career choices by considering the following criteria:
Education programAs you think about available nursing careers, you might also think about the types of education programs you might complete. For instance, you might research the available programs offered at community colleges, vocational schools and universities in your area. You might also consider your willingness to travel long distances to school or if you would be willing to relocate to attend your desired nursing program. You might also consider the degree level you wish to earn. If you are seeking an associate's degree or a certification, you might research your career options for these degrees. Similarly, if your goal is to earn a bachelor's degree or higher, you will want to research programs that offer four-year degrees as well as graduate degree programs. Medical specialtyYou might also consider career options based on the type of medical specialty you are interested in working in. For instance, you might consider fields like pediatrics, critical care or other medical specialties. You might also consider the advantages and disadvantages of working in each of the specialties you consider. InterestsYou can also choose a focus of study based on your interests. You might think about what your passion is, what kind of people you work well with and other topics that can relate to your personal interests. For instance, if you are interested in psychology, you might research psychiatric nursing careers. Time commitmentYou can also research the time it takes to complete different nursing programs. If you want to complete your training and certifications in less time, you might look into career options that help you complete your requirements in as little as one to two years. Similarly, you might also think about how much time you can devote to attending classes. Many nursing programs can offer both part-time and full-time attendance options. Income levelWhen considering your career, you might think about what your desired salary level is. You might also think about if you would be willing to start at an entry-level salary and work your way toward a higher income with experience. For instance, if you want to complete a two-year degree to enter your career sooner, you might need to work in the field for several years or pursue an advanced degree after some time if you want to increase your income potential. Read more: Choosing a Career Path in 9 Steps Types of nursesThe following list contains 10 types of nurses along with salary and job information about the career. If you are considering a career in nursing, the following types of nursing jobs might help you figure out the career option that's right for you.
Related: 10 Highest-Paid Nursing Jobs 1. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)National average salary: $23.88 per hour Primary duties: LPNs provide basic medical care to patients, including monitoring and documenting patient vital signs, symptoms and medical history. LPNs may also administer medication, assist RNs in providing treatment and supervise certified nursing assistants. LPNs may typically complete a certification program in as little as a year and can earn licensure by taking and passing an LPN exam. 2. Nurse case managerNational average salary: $69,501 per year Primary duties: Nurse case managers are registered nurses who are responsible for the overall management and organization of patient care in and out of healthcare practices. Typically, nurse case managers take on long-term treatment patients, educating and supporting them on their healthcare plans. RNs who choose to earn certification in case management may do so with an associate's degree in nursing (AND) and a current RN certification. 3. Clinical informaticistNational average salary: $83,006 per year Primary duties: Clinical informaticists work with technology and computer systems to implement and improve data, communications and functionality of systems in place within a variety of healthcare settings. Typically, a clinical informaticist will focus on data entry, storage systems, building interfaces and troubleshoot software and hardware issues. RNs with a bachelor's degree can pursue a master's degree in clinical informatics. 4. Registered nurse (RN)National average salary: $33.95 per hour Primary duties: Registered nurses can complete an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in nursing (ADN, BSN and MSN, respectively), though often many RNs start at the associate's and bachelor's levels. RNs may provide basic and more advanced medical care to patients including monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting physicians during procedures and treatments and sometimes supervise or manage nursing teams and medical staff. 5. Critical care and ICU nurseNational average salary: $1,620 per week Primary duties: Critical care nurses (CCRNs) provide emergency and trauma-based medical care to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room. CCRNs may provide emergency intervention and treatments, assist other nursing staff and physicians in the care of critically ill or wounded patients and perform other tasks for critical care patients. RNs may pursue a CCRN certification with an ADN, however, a BSN may offer more job opportunities. 6. Certified nurse midwife (CNM)National average salary: $101,896 per year Primary duties: CNMs may perform duties other than delivering babies. They also provide healthcare to women and children, assist patients with family planning, schedule and perform gynecological check-ups and provide prenatal care. CNMs do work in the delivery room, and their responsibilities in this setting include monitoring labor and delivery and assisting physicians during emergency C-sections. A CNM must complete an advanced degree, such as a Master's or Doctorate in Midwifery. 7. Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)National average salary: $107,808 per year Primary duties: Clinical nurse specialists perform job duties related to the administration and management of healthcare practices and facilities. A CNS may evaluate and implement current and new nursing practices, develop treatment plans, evaluate and analyze patient medical progress and participate in medical research. Becoming a CNS requires a master's degree and certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). 8. Psychiatric nurse practitionerNational average salary: $108,658 per year Primary duties: Psychiatric nurses generally provide care to mental health patients. They may work with other nursing staff and medical teams to diagnose and treat patients for mental illnesses and disorders. Psychiatric nurses can enter this career field by completing an ADN and obtaining RN certification. However, to obtain further credentials in advanced practice psychiatric nursing, RNs must pursue at least a bachelor's degree. 9. Certified nurse practitioner (CRNP)National average salary: $111,465 per year Primary duties: Nurse practitioners are advanced practiced healthcare providers. CRNPs diagnose and treat a wide variety of patients and work in many medical settings. CRNPs may prescribe and administer medications, and in some cases, act in the capacity of a physician when making certain medical decisions. Typically, RNs may complete their MSNs in practical nursing and obtain licensure to practice. 10. Telemetry nurseNational average salary: $2,192 per week Primary duties: Telemetry nurses use specialized equipment and technological devices to monitor patients' vital signs, administer medications and communicate with nurses, physicians and patients. Telemetry nurses typically work in the telemetry unit of a hospital, where patients who are out of ICU may be monitored during recovery. To become a telemetry nurse, RNs must possess current licensure and possess an ADN or BSN to obtain telemetry certification. Read more: 12 Healthcare Jobs That Pay Well Nursing specialtiesThere can be as many specialty certification options for registered nurses as there are for doctors, physicians and surgeons. Some nursing specialties that you might consider when thinking about your career choices include:
General medical specialtiesThere are a large variety of general medical specialties that nurses can obtain certification in, including specialties like pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology and many more. Nurses may also specialize in dentistry, education, clinical research and other medical specialties. Many of these nursing specialties are available for RNs seeking additional certifications. Emergency room, critical care, ICU and NICURegistered nurses who specialize in critical care may also specialize in neonatal intensive care. These fields require current RN licensure and may require additional degrees, depending on the focus. You might also think about looking into surgical nursing specialties as well because oftentimes the two fields of specialization can share similarities. Radiologic technologyNurses who specialize in radiologic technology may work with a variety of X-ray and imaging equipment. RNs specializing in this field may perform X-ray procedures, MRIs, mammograms, CT scans and other imaging procedures. Typically, a degree in radiology and RN certification is needed to enter this specialty. InformaticsInformatics seems to be a quickly developing specialty for clinical and registered nurses. RNs in this specialty may focus on one or more of several informatics sub-specialties like medical, clinical, health, patient and educational informatics in the healthcare industry. If working with technology, computer information systems and building digital infrastructure is something that interests you, you might think about a career in nursing informatics. |
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