Nursing has something for everyone. There aren’t many other professions as dynamic and varied as nursing. As a nurse, you can plan and deliver healthcare programs, work on health issues faced by different population segments, and work with healthcare professionals in a variety of sectors and settings. Nursing involves various healthcare activities, from community-based settings and rehabilitation to long-term care and acute care. They are in high demand in every part of the country, especially in remote and rural areas.
One of the most exciting things about nursing is that you can always change your career direction, location, and focus at any time. You can look for new roles or go back to earn a degree to satisfy your need for a challenge.
Nursing careers are lucrative
In the United States, there are 3 million nurses employed in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual pay for nurses is $82,750, while the average hourly pay is $39.78. Nurses can also earn above these averages by honing their skills, picking an area of expertise, and earning advanced degrees and certifications. An important factor influencing the salary of nurses is geographical location. The highest-paying jobs in nursing are found in California, where nurses earn as much as $124,000. Other high-paying states are Hawaii, Alaska, and Oregon. Salaries correlate to the cost of living, so while certain states offer lower salaries, they also have a much lower cost of living.
Career path for nurses
If you have a passion for healthcare and are interested in working in a field that is challenging and fulfilling, nursing is a great choice. You can start your career as a registered nurse by graduating from a nursing program. When you graduate, you will be confident in your knowledge and skills to work in a variety of settings and with people of different age groups. As you move along, you will gain more experience, become an expert at what you do, and build on your competencies. Registered nurses can work in various practice areas, such as palliative care and public health. There are different practice profiles for nurses and many different specializations if you want to advance your career to the next level.
One of the biggest benefits of working as a nurse is the flexibility it offers you. Nurses can find jobs in different sectors and geographical locations. You can also choose to work full-time or part-time. If you prefer flexible hours, you will find nursing to be a very adaptable field, meaning it can work with your current lifestyle. Shift lengths are also usually quite flexible so that you can work anywhere from four to twelve hours during the weekends, evenings, or days. If you plan to move in the future, your skills will be valuable in any job location.
Choose nursing as your second career
If you are currently working in a different industry and want to find something more exciting, nursing is a good career choice. Regardless of your background, it is not too late to become a nurse. Many employers in healthcare value your previous education and work experience. If you currently have a degree, there are many accelerated nursing programs to choose from. These accelerated programs are intense, but they will allow you to become a professional nurse quickly. Many of these programs are available online and part-time to accommodate your current work and family obligations. Once you graduate, you will be able to find many job opportunities.
Nursing specializations
Nurses can also choose a specialization to focus on during their careers. This is an excellent way to gain expertise in a particular area and find higher-paying jobs. When you achieve certification in a particular specialty, it shows that you have the initiative to update your skills and develop your professional competencies. Once you have worked as a registered nurse for some time and gained experience, you can pursue advanced credentials to work in a specialized field. Specializations may be related to the type of care, practice setting, diagnostic group, health problem, or patient age. Here are some of the specializations you can choose from:
- Emergency nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Community health nursing
- Cardiovascular nursing
- Medical-surging nursing
- Palliative care nursing
- Gerontological nursing
- Gastroenterology nursing
- Enterostomal therapy nursing
- Rehabilitation nursing
- Mental and psychiatric health nursing
- Perioperative nursing
- Perinatal nursing
- Perianesthesia nursing
- Orthopedic nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Occupational health nursing
- Neuroscience nursing
- Nephrology nursing
Nurses play an important role in healthcare
Nurses are a crucial part of healthcare. The work they do makes a notable difference in the lives of their patients and their families. In a hospital setting, a registered nurse can save many lives. They play an important role in improving the health outcomes of their patients. When a hospital has sufficient nursing staff, the mortality rate reduces. In long-term care facilities, a higher number of nurses can reduce the number of hospitalizations and improve the health and ability of patients. Those working as nurse practitioners in hospital and community settings also play a vital role in improving access to healthcare services. Many patients have chronic conditions, and nurse practitioners and registered nurses can reduce their need for services, enhance their quality of life, and improve their level of satisfaction.
Nurses improve standards of care and health outcomes, but they also improve the emotional well-being of patients. Nurses spend the most time with patients, so their compassion and calm demeanor have a profound impact on their emotional and mental well-being. They are also advocates for patients, so they ensure that the opinions and preferences of their patients are taken into consideration when creating care plans.
Exciting career opportunities to consider in nursing
With so many different specialties and career paths, it can be a little confusing for new nurses to choose an option. Depending on your personal preferences, geographical location, and current credentials, you will be able to find something of interest to you. Here are some of the most exciting career opportunities to choose from.
Cardiac nurse
Cardiac nurses provide care for patients with pulmonary and cardiac conditions. They assist with educating clients on managing and preventing disease, monitoring patients, and conducting diagnostic procedures. Cardiac problems may occur at any age, so cardiac nurses can choose to work with adults, children, or infants. It is a good specialty to select because the cardiac disease is a major cause of death in the country.
The demand for nurses with this specialization is always high. You will be able to work in rehabilitation, clinics, diagnostic centers, and hospitals. Cardiovascular healthcare is constantly changing, so you will have to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment. Patients often face life-threatening, serious conditions, so they need precise treatment. There are also many sub-specialties within cardiac nursing, so you can gain expertise in a niche area if you want to.
Critical care nurse
Another exciting career option to consider is critical care nursing. Nurses working in this area are trained to work with patients needing intensive care. Many of these patients have complex diagnoses and are on life-support. Many hospitals have specific critical care units such as trauma, surgical, neuro, neonatal, cardiac, and burns. Critical care nurses or emergency nurses work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians. They must monitor patients and report even the smallest changes in the condition of patient.
These nurses have to administer medications and perform diagnostics. It is a good specialty because there is always a great demand for nurses who can dedicate themselves to the care of those who are seriously injured or ill. To be a successful critical care nurse, you must be efficient and organized. Attention to detail is crucial, and the work is satisfying but challenging. Nurses sometimes have to sit with and deliver care continuously to seriously ill patients. When stable, patients will be transferred to other units, so there may not be much opportunity to develop a relationship with them.
Trauma nurse
Trauma or emergency department nurses need to respond quickly and efficiently even when they do not have complete knowledge about the patient’s health history or the situation. Patients in the emergency department often require immediate care, so nurses must think on their feet. Nurses are required to evaluate patients, stabilize them, and administer treatment and medication. They need to work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and departments.
All types and ages of admissions can come to the emergency department. With healthcare organizations and hospitals expanding emergency services, trauma nurses are in high demand. Most emergency centers are 24/7, so there is a growing need for experienced nurses. It is a constantly changing, high-pressure work environment, so this job suits nurses who thrive in challenging environments. Every patient and every shift is different. You may encounter trauma patients with low chances of survival to those with fevers, so you will be providing care to a wide variety of patients.
Geriatric nurse
Geriatric nurses work with the aging population and provide a wide variety of care, including psychosocial and physical. Senior patients may have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or chronic conditions, so they need ongoing care. Patients’ families also need to be included when creating treatment plans. Geriatric nurses may work in home health, memory centers, nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals. They coordinate with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapy patients, social workers, nurse practitioners, and physicians, when providing care.
With a rising proportion of the population growing older, there is a huge demand for geriatric care. Job growth in this specialty is booming, so it is a good career choice for interested nurses. Elderly patients require patience and careful attention. They deserve respect and dignity and need to feel comfortable in their settings. Nurses in this field can establish relationships with patients and their families. This can be very rewarding work because it helps preserve the independence and health of patients.
Palliative/hospice nurse
Palliative/hospice nurses care for patients that are terminally ill to ensure that they are comfortable. Many hospitals may have a hospice unit, but patients may choose to remain at home to be closer to their families. In palliative units, the goal is to support patients with pain management and not cure illnesses. Supplemental care is provided through clerics, healthcare teams, and other services the patient may require. Death must be supported just like other events in life. As society recognizes this, hospice and palliative care have gained more importance.
With baby boomers approaching older age, there are many job opportunities available in hospices. This specialization is suitable for nurses comfortable with end-of-life care since they will provide comfort and support to terminal patients. Families of patients require the same support. Nurses in this field will develop close relationships with terminal patients, so they must be comfortable with it.
Mental health/psychiatric nurse
Psychiatric/mental health nurses specialize in the mental health of patients, families, communities, and groups. Nurses in this specialty are responsible for diagnoses, assessments, care plans, therapeutic interventions, and working with healthcare teams. If you are wondering how to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, you should consider nursing programs offered by Marymount University.
These specialized nursing programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in government positions, long-term facilities, schools, clinics, and hospitals. Mental illness is now recognized to be as important as physical illness, so there is a growing need for professional psychiatric nurses. There are also many sub-specialties within the field, such as geriatric, adult, adolescent, and pediatric mental health. This can be a demanding job, but it is also quite rewarding. You will be helping patients learn how to function and cope with their condition.
Public health nurse
Public health nurses work with large communities by providing assistance and resources and through extensive teaching. These nurses will be planning and implementing programs such as diabetes, STDs, obesity, and vaccinations. Their other job responsibilities include disaster preparation and identifying risk factors in the community. Healthcare organizations continue to change models, so there is always a need for public health nurses in local communities and government agencies. You will be working with under-served members of society, so the work can be satisfying. It is a good specialty for those who like working independently and can see the bigger picture.
Perioperative/surgical nurse
Perioperative or surgical nurses assist in every part of the surgical process. These professionals are responsible for setting up the operation room, clearing the room, prepping patients, helping surgeons with supplies and instruments, and handling documents of the procedure. Surgical nurses are also responsible for providing post-care to patients. Operative and surgery processes have expanded drastically to outpatient surgical centers from traditional hospital settings.
Perioperative nurses are one of the most in-demand professions in nursing, followed by nurses working in the post-anesthesia care units. To work in this specialty area, it is important for you to be able to remain calm in stressful situations and pay attention to detail. Surgical procedures are always changing and are becoming increasingly high-tech, so a willingness to learn and adaptability are also essential. You will work closely with surgeons and may have minimal contact with your patients.
Travel nurse
If you are looking for an exciting career path that allows you to travel for work, consider becoming a travel nurse. Travel nurses work with agencies to secure contracts with outpatient facilities, private practices, and clinics for a limited amount of time. You may be going from one facility to another. As a travel nurse, you may work as a generalist or in a specialized field. Most travel nurses receive hourly rates and a living stipend during their contract.
Healthcare facilities and hospitals today are facing gaps in staffing, so the demand for travel nurses is expanding. Many nurses are also retiring, so you will have the opportunity to find jobs in different healthcare settings in many cities. This is a good opportunity for flexible nurses who like to work in new places and are comfortable with contracts. You will be able to live in different places and explore new surroundings on a regular basis as a travel nurse.
A career in nursing can be truly rewarding and a great choice for anyone interested in providing care for those who are ill or injured. Take your time to learn more about the different specialties available to find something that genuinely interests you. There are unlimited areas of practice. Many of these specialties, such as health policy, risk management, and informatics, do not involve direct care. You can also change your career path easily if your career goals and interests change over time.
