When considering a career as a nurse, there are many factors to consider. Nursing is a rewarding and challenging career that requires a dedication to both patient care and lifelong learning. It is important to consider the different types of nursing in order to make an informed decision about which kind of nurse is the best fit for you. Each type of nurse offers unique opportunities and responsibilities, so it is important to consider all of the options carefully. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of nursing and provide guidance for those interested in pursuing a career in nursing. We will discuss the different roles, skills, and knowledge required for each type of nurse, as well as the educational requirements and the rewards of the job. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are considering a change of direction, this blog post will provide the information you need to make an informed decision about which type of nurse is right for you.
Types of nurses
The list below includes 10 different types of nurses, along with salary and employment details. If you are thinking about a career in nursing, the types of nursing jobs listed below may be able to help you choose the path that is best for you.
LPNs’ primary responsibilities include monitoring and recording patients’ vital signs, symptoms, and medical histories. Additionally, LPNs can supervise CNAs, help RNs with patient care, and administer medication. A certification program for LPNs can typically be finished in as little as a year, and they can become licensed by taking and passing the LPN exam.
Primary responsibilities: Registered nurses who work as nurse case managers oversee and coordinate patient care both inside and outside of healthcare facilities. Typically, nurse case managers work with patients receiving long-term care, guiding and educating them regarding their healthcare plans. A current RN certification and an associate’s degree in nursing (AND) are both requirements for RNs who want to become certified in case management.
Clinical informaticists’ main responsibilities include implementing and improving data, communications, and system functionality in a range of healthcare settings using technology and computer systems. A clinical informaticist will typically concentrate on data entry, storage systems, creating interfaces, and resolving software and hardware problems. RNs who already hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing can pursue a master’s in clinical informatics.
The primary responsibilities of registered nurses include completing an associates, bachelors, or masters degree in nursing (ADN, BSN, and MSN, respectively). RNs can assist doctors with procedures and treatments, monitor vital signs, administer medications, and manage nursing teams and medical staff in addition to providing both basic and more advanced medical care to patients.
Critical care nurses’ (CCRNs’) main responsibilities are to provide patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room with emergency and trauma-based medical care. For patients in need of critical care, CCRNs can administer emergency interventions and treatments, work with other nurses and doctors to care for the critically ill or injured, and carry out other duties. RNs with an ADN may pursue CCRN certification, but a BSN may provide more job opportunities.
Primary duties: CNMs may perform duties other than delivering babies. They also offer prenatal care, assist patients with family planning, schedule and perform gynecological check-ups, and provide healthcare to women and children. CNMs do work in the delivery room, where their duties there include keeping an eye on labor and delivery and supporting doctors during urgent C-sections. A CNM must earn a doctoral or master’s degree in midwifery to become certified.
Primary responsibilities: Clinical nurse specialists carry out duties pertaining to the management and administration of healthcare facilities and practices. A CNS can develop treatment plans, assess and analyze patients’ medical progress, evaluate and implement new and existing nursing practices, and take part in medical research. A master’s degree and certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) are prerequisites for becoming a CNS.
Psychiatric nurses’ main responsibilities are to care for people with mental illnesses. To identify and treat patients with mental illnesses and disorders, they might collaborate with other nursing staff and medical professionals.
By earning their RN certification and completing an ADN, psychiatric nurses can start working in this field. However, RNs must pursue at least a bachelor’s degree in order to obtain further credentials in advanced practice psychiatric nursing.
Primary duties: Nurse practitioners are advanced practiced healthcare providers. CRNPs work in a variety of medical settings and diagnose and treat a wide range of patients. When making certain medical decisions, CRNPs occasionally assume the role of a doctor in addition to being able to prescribe and administer medications. Typically, RNs who wish to practice can complete their MSN in practical nursing.
Telemetry nurses’ main responsibilities include monitoring patients’ vital signs, giving medications, and communicating with other nurses, doctors, and patients.
In the telemetry unit of a hospital, where patients who are out of the intensive care unit (ICU) may be monitored during recovery, telemetry nurses typically work RNs who want to work in telemetry must be currently licensed and have an ADN or BSN in order to be certified.
How to choose a nursing career
It can be challenging to choose a career path given the wide range of programs, specialties, and medical focuses available to nursing students. However, you could focus your career options by taking into account the following factors:
Education program
You may also consider the different educational paths you could take as you consider nursing careers. For instance, you could look into the courses offered at local universities, vocational schools, and community colleges. You might also take into account whether you would be willing to relocate to attend your desired nursing program or whether you would be willing to travel far to school.
You could also think about the degree level you want to obtain. You might look into the career options for an associate’s degree or a certification if you’re seeking one. Similar to this, if obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher is your aim, you should look into graduate as well as four-year degree programs.
Medical specialty
You might also take into account career options based on the medical specialty you’d like to work in. Consider careers in pediatrics, critical care, or other medical specialties, for example. You may also think about the benefits and drawbacks of each specialty you are considering.
Interests
Additionally, you can select a study area based on your interests. Consider your areas of passion, the types of people you get along with, and other matters that are related to your individual interests. For instance, if psychology interests you, you might look into careers in psychiatric nursing.
Time commitment
You can also look into how long it takes to finish various nursing programs. Consider career options that allow you to complete your requirements in as little as one to two years if you want to complete your training and certifications more quickly. In a similar vein, consider how much time you can commit to attending classes. Many nursing programs allow for both full-time and part-time enrollment.
Income level
You might consider your desired salary range when deciding on a career. You might also consider whether you would be prepared to begin with a lower salary and eventually move up to a higher one as you gained more experience. For instance, you might need to work in the field for a number of years or pursue an advanced degree after some time if you want to increase your earning potential if you want to finish a two-year degree to start your career sooner.
Nursing specialties
For registered nurses, there may be as many specialty certification options as there are for doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals. When considering your career options, you might take the following nursing specialties into account:
General medical specialties
Nurses can become certified in a wide range of general medical specialties, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and many more. Other medical specialties that nurses can pursue include dentistry, teaching, clinical research, and others For registered nurses seeking additional certifications, many of these nursing specialties are available.
Emergency room, critical care, ICU and NICU
Neonatal intensive care may be a specialty for registered nurses who specialize in critical care. Depending on the focus, these fields may also require additional degrees in addition to current RN licensure. Because there are often overlaps between the two specializations, you might also consider looking into surgical nursing specialties.
Radiologic technology
Radiologic technology nurses may use a range of imaging and X-ray devices in their work. RNs who specialize in this area may conduct CT scans, MRIs, mammograms, and other imaging procedures. To work in this field, typically an RN certification and a radiology degree are required.
Informatics
Clinical and registered nurses seem to be quickly developing an expertise in informatics. In the healthcare sector, RNs with this specialty may concentrate on one or more of the informatics sub-specialties including medical, clinical, health, patient, and educational informatics. Consider a career in nursing informatics if using technology, developing computer information systems, and creating digital infrastructure are things that interest you.
What Type Of Nurse Should You Be?
FAQ
What is the best type of nurse to become?
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist – $181,000.
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – $125,000.
- Cardiac Nurse Practitioner – $114,000.
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner – $113,000.
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner – $113,000.
- General Nurse Practitioner – $112,000.
- Family Nurse Practitioner – $110,000.
What kind of nurses are the happiest?
Nurse educators reported the highest satisfaction ratings of any other type of nurse, with 33% reporting that they were happy where they are in their current role
What is the easiest type of nursing?
- Nurse Educator. Average Annual Salary: $62,000. …
- Nurse Blogger. Average Annual Salary: N/A. …
- Clinic Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $65,000. …
- Traveling Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $70,000. …
- School Nurse. Average Annual Salary: $50,000. …
- Summer Camp Nurse. …
- Nurse Administrator. …
- Public Health Nurse.
How do I choose a nursing specialty?
- Personality Style. No one personality type is “right” for nursing.
- Work Style. …
- Preferred Age Group. …
- Job Outlook and Salary. …
- Know the Education Requirements. …
- Work Environment. …
- Work Hours.
