Careers with a Nursing Degree

These are exciting times for individuals considering a career in nursing. Gone are the days when nurses just moved from one patient to the next, year after year, feeling unappreciated and underpaid. The evolution of the field has opened up new possibilities for modern-day nurses, with careers like forensic nursing, travel nursing, flight nursing, and more. Not only do nurses have a much wider array of careers to choose from today, they also have a more structured growth path. But traditional direct patient care is still an essential and important part of the nursing profession, a good way to start in the field, and an excellent choice for those who want a meaningful career helping people. If you are giving the nursing field serious thought, then here are a few possibilities to consider.

Licensed Practical Nurse

You don't need a college degree to become a licensed practical nurse (also known as a licensed vocational nurse). Most LPNs usually complete a state-approved training program that lasts for a year. Then they must sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) in order to obtain a license and start practicing.

LPNs provide basic bedside patient care, usually under the supervision of physicians or registered nurses (RNs). Some of their most important duties include recording vital signs, giving injections, dressing wounds or injuries, and helping patients with basic grooming and hygiene.

The scope of work can be limited for LPNs and career progression is restricted, unless they decide to become RNs through further training and education.

Staff Nurse

Staff nurses are that important cog in the direct-patient-care mechanism, without whom the entire system can be thrown off balance. They have perhaps the most complex and demanding job of all. RNs are generally the primary point of contact between the patient and the medical staff, in both in- and out-patient settings. RNs provide critical direct care to their patients as well as perform important administrative duties including documenting medications and developing the nursing care plans for patients both in the hospital and after discharge.

An associate degree in nursing and an RN license, obtained by passing the NCLEX-RN exam, is usually required to become a staff nurse. Most RNs begin their careers as staff nurses and move to higher echelons of the healthcare system after having gained enough practical experience.

Many RNs who have completed an ADN nursing program return to school for an RN-BSN program later in their career, to take advantage of the growth prospects offered by a bachelor's degree in the field.

Advanced Practice Nurses

Among the most exciting nursing careers for those who want to continue on the path of direct patient care is advanced practice nursing. There are four types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs): clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners.

Currently all four roles require RNs to have at least a master's degree in nursing. However, according to the American Nurses Association, the standard qualification to become an APRN may soon change to a doctorate in nursing practice.

Nurse Supervisor/Manager

A nurse supervisor or a nurse manager is responsible for directing and supervising all facets of direct patient care. The duties of a nurse manager range from delegation of work to ensuring that the quality standards, as established by their organization, are met by the nursing staff at all times.

Nurse managers are also responsible for hiring; monitoring and evaluating the performance of the staff nurses reporting to them; and developing strategies to improve the processes involved in the delivery of healthcare. Because of their other duties, nurse supervisors are not always at the forefront of providing hands-on patient care. However, they do supervise the care provided by staff nurses on a regular basis.

A nurse supervisor typically requires a master's degree in nursing administration or a related field. But some RNs may be able to qualify for these positions with a BSN, provided they have enough experience and show consistent performance.

Nurse Educator

Education is another exciting nursing career that aspirants can consider. Simply put, nurse educators are the people in charge of developing and molding future talent in the field.

Nurse educators are responsible for training student nurses and preparing them for the profession in settings such as colleges, universities, and hospitals. As part of their responsibilities, they create and implement educational material as well as mentor student nurses and evaluate their progress.

A master's degree in nursing education is a frequently required credential to become a nurse educator, but in some cases a graduate degree in nursing or a related field may also be acceptable. A doctoral degree may be necessary to become a nurse instructor.