Nursing is a popular career choice for many people, and it’s easy to see why! Being a nurse can be very rewarding, but it’s important to consider the different options available before deciding on this path.
The first step in choosing a nursing career is deciding what kind of nurse you want to be. There are several different specialties in the field, including critical care and emergency medicine. Each specialty has its own educational requirements and salary range, so it’s important to do research on each one before making any decisions about which direction you’d like to take your career.
Once you’ve decided which type of specialization is right for you, there are several other steps involved in preparing for this career change. This includes gaining as much experience as possible with patients while still in school so that when you graduate with your degree, you’re ready to enter an entry-level position right away.
What jobs can i get with a nursing degree
Introduction
If you are considering the field of nursing, it can be helpful to know what types of jobs there are available after graduation. There is a wide range of opportunities to consider when planning your future career, whether you plan on earning an associate’s degree in nursing or a graduate degree in nursing. Here are ten popular jobs with a nursing degree:
Physician’s Assistant
If you want to work with patients, but don’t want to go into nursing school and become a registered nurse (RN), consider becoming a physician’s assistant (PA). Physicians’ assistants provide medical care under the supervision of physicians. They are trained to perform most of the same duties as an RN, including taking patients’ vital signs, diagnosing illnesses and injuries, ordering tests and treatment plans for their patients.
PAs also can prescribe medications when appropriate; however, they cannot administer injections or write prescriptions for controlled substances such as narcotics. They may also be able to do minor surgical procedures such as suturing wounds or performing catheterizations in hospital settings.
Physician’s assistants practice in many different areas of medicine—some specialize in geriatric medicine while others focus on pediatrics or surgery—but most PAs work in primary care offices where they see patients with common illnesses like strep throat or sprained ankles on a daily basis.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses are the backbone of the health care system. They provide a wide range of services, including preventative screenings, patient education and mental health support. They are also tasked with providing direct patient care as well as administering intravenous medications and other treatments.
Nurses are the most trusted profession in America, according to Gallup polls that have been conducted since 1976. Nurses rank above pharmacists on this list but below doctors and dentists (two other types of healthcare providers). In addition to being highly regarded by society at large, nurses enjoy a high level of professional autonomy when it comes to making decisions about how they deliver care for their patients—they rarely receive orders from physicians or administrators about how best to do their jobs.*
Director of Nursing
A director of nursing is a management position that requires a nursing degree and years of experience in the field. The director is responsible for the overall operations of a given facility, including clinical, professional, and financial performance.
The responsibilities of this role include:
- Ensuring that patient care meets standard guidelines set forth by the state or national regulatory body
- Overseeing staff training programs to ensure they are up-to-date on current safety protocols
- Reviewing patient charts daily to ensure each patient receives proper care
Nursing Home Administrator
- Manage nursing home operations
- Manage staff
- Manage finances
- Manage patient care
- Manage patient records
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are health care professionals who can perform many of the same tasks as registered nurses, with some exceptions. LPNs work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician, and they can practice in all 50 states. They do not require a bachelor’s degree to qualify for licensure and are sometimes referred to as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).
LPNs may work in hospitals, nursing homes, home health, or private practice settings. As long as they pass their state exam for licensure and maintain current certification requirements (as determined by each state), there is no limit to the types of places where an LPN can work.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
CRNAs are registered nurses who have specialized in the administration of anesthesia and pain management. They work in hospitals, surgery centers, and ambulatory care facilities such as surgical centers and physician offices. CRNAs may also be employed by home health agencies or outpatient clinics.
The education required to become a CRNA typically takes between four and six years to complete depending on whether you’re getting your associate’s degree from an accredited nursing program or bachelor’s degree from a university with an accredited school of nursing.
The salary for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) varies widely depending on several factors including geographic location, years’ experience working as a CRNA, employer type (hospital vs private practice), insurance type (private vs government) etc…
Health Educator
Health educators are people who help others make healthy choices. Health education specialists can work in hospitals, schools, community centers and other organizations. They are trained to teach people about health and wellness through lectures, demonstrations and educational materials. Topics might include diseases; nutrition; fitness; stress management or smoking cessation.
There are many jobs available for nurses with various degrees and specialties.
- There are many jobs available for nurses with various degrees and specialties. To get an idea of what your options are, ask yourself: What do you want to do? Do you want to work in a hospital or clinic? Would you like the opportunity to travel and see different places?
- Read on to learn more about specific careers in nursing, including clinical nurse specialist, case manager, nurse administrator and many more!
Conclusion
If you are thinking about becoming a nurse, there are many different options available to you. Although you might expect that all nurses perform the same duties, in reality their roles can vary greatly depending on their specialization. They also differ based on work setting and other factors. As such, it is important to think carefully about what kind of environment or role would suit your interests best before choosing which nursing path to take!