Did you know that there are more than 4.2 million registered nurses working in the United States of America? Working in healthcare is a great career path if you’re looking for great pay, schedule flexibility, and job security. Becoming a nurse will not only allow you to live life to the fullest but also offer a path toward helping those in need. Nursing jobs and as you move up in your career has an excellent earning potential and most facilities offer good paid time off to enjoy your time with family.
A big key to pursuing medical careers is having a firm understanding of the types of nurses that work in the healthcare field and the responsibilities that the nursing jobs bring. Luckily, you’ve found the perfect guide to learn all about the different types of nurses working in clinics across the country.
Keep reading to learn about different nursing careers to consider today!
Critical Care Nurse
A common path that you can take toward becoming a nurse is to focus on becoming a critical care nurse. These nurses work in intensive care units and they provide life-saving support for people that have suffered major injuries.
This is a great option if you’re looking for a medical career where you can make a major difference in the lives of others. You’ll need to go to school in order to get a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree if you want to pursue this career in healthcare.
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses have amazing lives due to the flexibility that their work allows them to enjoy. Your job working in healthcare will allow you to travel across the United States as well as different countries around the world.
Many travel nurses work in short spurts in different locations before moving on to the next one. It’s a fulfilling career if you enjoy traveling and helping others. Make sure you take steps to learn more about medstaff travel nursing.
Women’s Health Nurse
Working as a women’s health nurse is another great option if you’re set on pursuing nursing careers. These nurses have a specialty that is focused on reproductive health and fertility for women that want to have children. If you want to become a women’s health nurse then you’ll want to look for private OB/GYN health practices.
Pediatric Nurse
Working with and providing treatment to children is one of the greatest aspects of becoming a nurse. One of the most popular types of nurses is the pediatric nurse, as this position allows you to help with health issues for patients ranging in age from zero up to 19 years old. You can work in schools, pediatric doctor’s offices, and schools when you choose to become a pediatric nurse.
Geriatric Nurse
This specialty focuses on the care of older adults, including those with age-related health issues. The geriatric nurses must cater to the age related cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and geriatric patient.
If you’re considering a career as a psychiatric nurse, exploring the educational requirements and job responsibilities can provide a comprehensive understanding. Additionally, learning about the average psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner salary can give you valuable insights into the financial rewards associated with this impactful profession.
Psychiatric Nurse
This specialty involves caring for patients with mental health conditions, including providing therapy and support. You can know more about this profession at the APNA website.
Home Health Nurse
This specialty involves providing nursing care to patients in their homes, often for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
School Nurse
This specialty involves providing nursing care and support to students in a school setting.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Knowing the different types of nurses that work in the United States is key if you decide that becoming a nurse is your calling in life. Nursing professionals can choose to specialize in a particular area based on their interests and expertise. Pediatric nurses have expertise in helping to treat children, while a women’s health nurse focuses on reproductive health. You can also become a travel nurse if you love helping others while having major flexibility with your work schedule.
Working in the nursing profession, you are expected to have good analytical and interpersonal communication skills as well as problem-solving and teamwork skills.
The duties and responsibilities often are similar but of course differ for certain specialities. Overall, you can expect the following responsibilities:
- Collaborate with patients to assess and identify needs, issues, care goals, and resources in critical factors for achieving desired outcomes for discharge, post hospital recovery and health maintenance/wellness.
- Complete assessments, care plans, medication and treatment orders, chart notes, admission/discharge/transfer paperwork, and all required documentation in a comprehensive, legible, and timely manner.
- Assist with the navigation of health care systems and intervenes or refers as needed to facilitate the achievement of patient outcomes.
- Enhance patient self-management by providing information regarding all options, choices, and resources.
- Maintain privacy and confidentiality of all patient information, including electronic, print, and conversations.
Check out the rest of our Career Insights category if you’re seeking a career in the medical field or searching for a new career path.