Careers

Staff Nursing

Hospital Specialties Include:

• Pediatrics
• Surgical
• Emergency
• Critical Care
• Maternity
• Women's Health
• Newborn Intensive Care
• Cancer Treatment
• Psychiatric/MentalHealth
• Operating Room/Recovery Room

Employers

• Hospitals
• Clinics and medical centers
• Physicians' offices and medical groups
• Outpatient surgery centers
• Home health agencies
• Extended care facilities: Nursing homes, Rehabilitation centers, Hospices
• Psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies
• Educational institutions
• Large corporations

Strategies

• Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and holidays in a hospital setting.
• Obtain a master's degree for positions such as nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, or nurse administrator.
• Cultivate managerial skills for head nurse or other supervisory positions.

Community and Public Health

• Home Health
• Rural Nursing
• Health Education

Employers

• Public and private schools
• Daycare centers
• Mental health facilities
• State and local health departments
• Home healthcare agencies
• Senior centers
• Nurse-run clinics
• Religious organizations
• Social service agencies

Strategies

• Develop expertise in first aid procedures.
• Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies.
• Obtain a master's degree for nurse practitioner positions.

Independent Practice

• Temporary Staffing
• Travel Nursing
• Personal Services Contracting
• Private Duty
• Midwifery

Employers

• Healthcare staffing agencies
• Travel companies
• Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
• Private households

Strategies

• Gained the required years of experience.
• Learn to work autonomously and make decisions independently.
• Be prepared to move frequently to various locations either locally or abroad.
• Become flexible and adaptable.

Government Service

• Staff Nursing
• Administration
• Policy Development
• Research

Employers

• Government health agencies including: Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Peace Corps, VISTA
• Armed services
• Prisons

Strategies

• Define an area of interest since government work offers a variety of practices.
• Plan on graduate study in teaching, research, or administration for advancement.
• Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems and beliefs.
• Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.

Education

• Teaching
• Educational Administration

Employers

• Teaching hospitals
• Colleges and universities
• Schools of nursing
• Wellness centers
• Public school systems
• Community education programs

Strategies

• 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.

Nursing Research

Employers

• Large hospitals and medical centers
• Colleges and universities
• Centers for nursing research
• National Institute for Nursing
• Pharmaceutical companies

Strategies

• 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.
• Obtain a Ph.D.

Other Professions

• Allergist
• Athletic Trainer
• Audiologist
• Cardiac Nurse Clinician
• Clinical Specialist
• Community Health Coordinator
• First Aid Nurse
• Flight Nurse
• Immunologist
• Infection Control Specialist
• Nurse Anesthetist
• Nurse Consultant
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Assistant
• Obstetrician
• Ophthalmologist
• Physical Therapist
• Public Health Nurse
• Pharmaceutical SalesRepresentative
• Recreational Therapist
• Surgical Intensive Care Nurse