What Are the Types of Jobs in Nursing?
Nurses play a vital role in our healthcare sector, serving in many types of nursing careers to care for today’s patients. Registered Nurses are a key part of medical teams, along with physicians and other healthcare specialists.
There are many specialty types of nursing jobs and nursing careers. Nursing duties and titles typically reflect the medical field RNs work in and the patients they work with. For example, an oncology nurse works with cancer patients or a geriatric nurse may work with elderly patients. Some careers in nursing can combine one or more areas of practice: A pediatric oncology nurse will work with children and teens who have cancer.
Types of Jobs for Registered Nurses
Here are examples of some of the many types of nursing jobs, nursing careers, and positions that Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can choose to work in:
- Addiction nurses care for patients who need help to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs and other substances.
- Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with heart disease and people who have had heart surgery.
- Critical care nurses work in intensive-care units in hospitals, providing care to patients with serious, complex and acute illnesses and injuries that need very close monitoring and treatment.
- Genetics nurses provide screening, counseling and treatment for patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.
- Neonatology nurses take care of newborn babies.
- Nephrology nurses care for patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse or other causes.
- Public health nurses promote public health by educating people on warning signs and symptoms of disease or managing chronic health conditions. They may also run health screenings, immunization clinics, blood drives or other community outreach programs.
- Rehabilitation nurses care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.
Some nurses do not work directly with patients, but they must still have an active Registered Nurse license. For example, nursing careers also include work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, public policy advisors, researchers, hospital administrators, salespeople for pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, or as medical writers and editors.
How Do I Prepare for Different Nursing Careers?
The steps to becoming a nurse begin with earning your BSN degree, which will give you the best career and earning opportunities.
The Linda Dunham School of Nursing at Houston Christian University is dedicated to educating nurses to meet the healthcare needs of individuals, families and groups in our society through disease prevention and community-based care.
In all states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, Registered Nurses must have a nursing license. To become licensed, nurses who graduate from an approved nursing program must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Other requirements for licensing, such as passing a criminal background check, vary by state. Each state’s board of nursing provides specific requirements. For more information on the NCLEX-RN and state boards of nursing, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
RNs may choose nursing careers in specific healthcare areas for which they obtain certifications, which are offered through professional associations, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Nurses can earn certification in ambulatory care, gerontology and pediatrics, among others. Obtaining certification is usually voluntary, but some employers also may require certification.
In addition, RN positions may require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS) certification and/or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
Your Next Steps Towards a Career in Nursing
If you’re ready to apply to the BSN program at Houston Christian University, start your application process here.
If you still have questions and want more information, please contact us today. We’re ready to help you take your next steps to earning your BSN degree at HCU.
Undergraduate Admissions:
(281) 649-3211 or 1 (800) 969-3210
admissions@HC.edu