Specialties by work setting or type of treatment:
Perioperative (operating rooms)
Emergency/Trauma
Critical care
Ambulatory care
Home health care
Hospice and palliative care
Occupational health
Radiology
Psychiatric-mental health
Holistic/Complementary care
Specific health conditions:
Oncology
Rheumatology
Diabetes management
Addictions treatment
HIV/AIDS care
Organ or body systems:
Cardiovascular
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Dermatology
Nephrology
Orthopedic
Urology
Respiratory
Well-defined populations:
Neonatology
Pediatrics
Adults
Geriatrics
Advanced practice nursing:
Clinical nurse specialist
Nurse anesthetist
Nurse midwife
Nurse practitioner
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
Large corporations
Educational institutions
Summer camps
Correctional facilities
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Integrated health clinics
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, i.e., 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.
Health Education and Promotion
Disease Prevention: Specific populations include elderly, homeless, teen parents, tobacco users, those at risk for specific diseases, those at risk in specific areas (e.g., rural)
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
Learn to relate well with people from a variety of backgrounds.
Plan to specialize in the needs of patients in vulnerable or underserved populations, i.e., rural health, elderly, homeless, tobacco-users, teen parents.
Develop knowledge and skills in management, decision-making, motivating, teaching, counseling, speaking, and writing, budget management and evaluation of program effectiveness.
Gain experience with handling emergencies, working independently, and demonstrating flexibility.
Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies.
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.
Temporary staffing
Travel nursing
Personal services contracting
Private duty
Healthcare staffing agencies
Travel companies
Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
Private households
Develop flexibility and adaptability.
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 for a career in travel nursing.
Staff nursing
Administration
Policy development
Research
Government health agencies:
Public Health Service
Indian Health Service
Veterans Affairs
Peace Corps
VISTA
Armed services
Correctional facilities
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.
Provide consultations and patient education through electronic communications (e.g., phone, Internet, interactive video systems, remote patient monitoring systems).
Call centers
Clinics: Public and private
Health maintenance organizations
Hospitals
Correctional facilities
Mobile units
Seek telehealth training through AAACN.
Plan to work several years in other practices to gain the necessary experience for this area.
Develop excellent communication skills and the ability to make important decisions quickly.
Stay current on technologies relating to telehealth and e-health services.
Large hospitals and medical centers
Colleges and universities
Centers for nursing research
National Institute for Nursing
Pharmaceutical companies
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.
Teaching
Educational administration
Teaching hospitals
Colleges and universities
Schools of nursing
Earn an advanced degree to teach at the college or university level.
Develop teaching, clinical and technology competence as well as the ability to accept responsibility for the actions of others when providing clinical supervision.
Develop relationship-building skills for collaborating with colleagues, staff, students and agency personnel.
Clinical nursing
Emergency relief
Policy development
Embassies
Military bases
National or international government agencies
Non-governmental organizations
Humanitarian organizations
Private voluntary organizations
Church-related mission services
World Health Organization
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.
Insurance:
Underwriting and Claims
Sales
Product management
Quality assurance
Writing
Law
Forensic nursing
Healthcare administration
Information management
Patient advocacy
Case management
Insurance companies
Hospitals
Health maintenance organizations
Law firms
Business and industry:
Pharmaceutical companies
Medical equipment and supplies manufacturers
Medical marketing firms
Medical and health publications
Healthcare websites
Healthcare advertising agencies
Public relations firms
Professional associations
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.
Nursing is the largest healthcare field. Three out of five nurses work in hospitals and many work part-time. Because some patients require continual care, nurses work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Nursing combines science and technology with the desire to help people. Healthcare professionals must be prepared to assist people of all types and backgrounds.
Nursing requires both physical stamina, emotional stability, and the abilities 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.
Seek knowledge of continuing education opportunities and certification options through resources such as American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Research loan repayment programs for nurses who work in critical shortage facilities.
All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure. Investigate individual state requirements, as well as the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) 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.