Nurses are health professionals working to provide care in a variety of settings. Nurses can undergo general education and training to prepare them for broad and varied care. They can also pursue specialized knowledge to narrow the field of care provided. Possible nursing career options include primary care, pediatrics, research, trauma, surgical nursing, and infection control. Since the need for nurses is universal throughout the world, nurses might live virtually anywhere, providing general or specialized care for people of any age and in any environment.
Your nursing career: A look at the facts
How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant
With more than 3.1 – 3.6 million registered nurses in the United States, this profession is the largest within the health care field. Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree are in demand.
Occupational employment and wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wages and employment information for registered nurses. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021.
Northeastern University shares a graph depicting career options for nurses. Opportunities include working in hospitals, community health, and nursing homes.
Learn about this type of nursing career and the qualifications for it from the New York State Department of Labor.
About the midwifery profession
Certified nurse-midwives improve outcomes for new mothers and their children as primary-care providers during pregnancy and delivery.
Nursing opportunities in public health
Nurses who work in the public health field typically keep regular daytime hours with evenings and weekends free. Public health nurses often work directly with patients in their homes or clinics located in communities.
Career motivation in newly licensed registered nurses: What makes them remain
Newly licensed nurses may work in this career for a short time and then change course, leaving nursing. This report explores issues that may lead nurses to leave the profession and what could motivate them to stay.
Public health nurses share their perspectives and experiences working within this field. Public health nurses may work within school systems or in senior centers, for example.
Types of nursing education programs
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing provides an overview of common nursing education programs, including a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and practical nursing programs.
Explore the field of registered nursing, learning about typical job opportunities, responsibilities, and potential wages, as outlined by the state of Alaska.
Supply, demand, and use of licensed practical nurses
Licensed practical nurses must study to earn licenses to practice nursing, but the educational requirements are less than registered nursing requirements.
People considering the nursing profession must decide which type of program to pursue education and training. The differences between registered nurses and licensed practical nurses will determine jobs available and earning potential.
LPNs: Are you practicing within your scope?
A newsletter published by the Iowa Board of Nursing explores some of the limitations for licensed practical nurses to ensure that these nurses practice within their limited scope.
The American Nurses Association explores the occupation of nursing and the education process required to become a nurse.
Your future in pediatric nursing
Pediatric nurses practice specialized nursing to care for babies, children, and adolescents. Registered pediatric nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, and schools providing care for children.
The Nurse Journal explores this field of specialty within the nursing profession. Neonatal nurses care for newborn infants experiencing health issues.
Massachusetts General Hospital provides information about the nursing profession, including earnings potential, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement.
Job outlook for registered nurses
Gwynedd Mercy University explores the professional future of registered nurses, providing information about earnings and typical work environment for people working in this field.
Nursing career information for students
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses explores registered nursing within the field of Women’s Health and Neonatal Care. Nurses specializing within these fields often pursue additional training and certification to increase their skills.
Review the cities offering the best salaries for registered nurses, as presented by Forbes.
Young people considering the nursing profession can learn about this work, including typical tasks and work environments.
The Kentucky Board of Nursing provides an overview of nursing, including various nursing programs that produce nurses with different scopes and pay grades.
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The Emergency Nurses Association outlines the typical characteristics of people who make effective emergency nurses. Explore common environments where emergency nurses work, including hospitals and crisis intervention centers.
A person considering a nursing research career must choose the type of program to pursue, including a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Additional educational opportunities are available after completing a master’s degree program as well.
North Carolina anticipates a critical nursing shortage, making this location an attractive state for nurses looking for competitive wages and varied job opportunities.
A hospice nurse’s job can be challenging emotionally due to the nature of the role, but it is also a very valued service for patients and their families.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners lists education and training requirements and typical job responsibilities.
An advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse with additional training and skills in a specified field, such as midwifery or anesthesia.
Women’s health nurse practitioner
A women’s health nurse practitioner provides specialized care for women in reproduction, gynecology, obstetrics, family planning, eating disorders, and menopause.
Career opportunities in geriatric nursing
Geriatric nurses specialize in caring for the elderly population. Geriatric nurses might work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home care.
The government of Western Australia provides this information on the qualifications and responsibilities of a registered nurse.
Trauma nurses work in emergency rooms and clinics, providing acute care to stabilize injured or ill patients. Registered nurses can earn trauma nurse certification to certify specialized training and knowledge within the field of trauma care.
Careers in plastic surgical nursing FAQs
Plastic surgical nurses may work in hospitals or clinics to provide care for patients undergoing plastic surgery procedures. Nurses in this field may further narrow their specialization by focusing on anesthesia, pediatric, or reconstructive care.
Certified registered nurse anesthetists fact sheet
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists has published a fact sheet with information about being a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a professional who administers anesthesia to patients during surgical procedures.
Explore the different projected salaries for nurses in different specialties
Pediatric nurses provide care for children in different health care settings. Because children have differing physiology from adults, they require specialized care.
The Nurse Journal presents information about the nursing profession and the opportunities that exist within this field.
Why choose nursing as your career?
Registered nurses can work within a variety of fields to provide health care. Employment opportunities are extensive due to nationwide nurse shortages.
Explore the experiences of first-year nursing students to learn about this field and typical student studies.
The definition of school nursing
The National Association of School Nurses defines this nursing position. The registered nurse working in an academic setting provides case management for students while promoting health and safety.