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15 Things You Can Do With a Nursing Degree


Nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession that gives you the opportunity to help others. With a nursing degree, you can choose from a vast array of career paths that suit your interests and abilities. Regardless of your specialization or chosen field of practice, the ability to create and “test out” multiple options is both liberating and empowering.

Nursing is a profession that is constantly evolving with new paths you can take or roles you can fill. In this article, we will explore 15 of the most common and rewarding things you can do with a nursing degree.

What can you do with a nursing degree

Registered Nurse


Becoming a registered nurse starts with acquiring a basic nursing degree. Registered nurses typically provide patient care in inpatient settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

During their working day, they will be involved in a range of duties such as interpreting medical test results, evaluating patient needs, and administering treatments or medications. Registered nurses often need to coordinate the care of multiple patients, so having excellent organizational skills is key.

Nurse Practitioner


Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who are able to provide primary care services to patients independent of a physician’s supervision. Nurse practitioners diagnose and treat illnesses and chronic conditions, order and interpret tests, and even perform minor procedures, depending on their specific area of practice.

Healthcare organizations across the country are increasingly relying on nurse practitioners to provide direct patient care due to their high level of training and expertise.

Licensed Practical Nurse


A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a healthcare provider who has been licensed through the state board of nursing. These nurses are typically employed in long-term care facilities, hospitals, or outpatient care centers, and they provide basic patient care such as dressing wounds, collecting specimens, administering injections, and monitoring vital signs.

Becoming a licensed practical nurse involves completing the required state-level nursing training program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam.

Nurse Educator


Nurse educators combine their nursing experience and background with teaching skills to educate other nurses and other healthcare professionals.

They typically hold faculty positions in colleges of nursing and teach theory, laboratory techniques, and clinical practice aspects in their specialty. They may also help create and revise nursing curricula, as well as create exams.

Nurse Anesthetist


Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who are certified in anesthesiology and administer anesthesia for surgeries and other medical procedures.

Their main competitor in this field are anesthesiologists, but in many places, nurse anesthetists can provide the same care as anesthesiologists at much lower costs. Some nurse anesthetists even specialize in pain management in the ambulatory care setting.

Public Health Nursing


Public health nurses aim to promote health and prevent disease in the population. They work in community-focused roles to identify and address health issues in disadvantaged or at-risk groups. Common activities for public health nurses include providing health information to the public, educating healthcare providers on emerging trends in mathematics, engaging in community health initiatives, and completing research.

Certified Nurse Midwife


Certified nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in providing primary healthcare to women of reproductive age. They deliver babies and oversee other obstetrical services, often in community-based settings. They are also qualified to provide gynecologic exams and family planning services.

Health Informatics


Health informatics is a field that focuses on the management and integration of healthcare information, including patient data, healthcare records, and hospital databases.

Health informaticians analyze and synthesize multiple streams of healthcare data to help inform decisions, improve outcomes, and develop processes that optimize how healthcare systems work.

Nursing Management


Nursing managers are responsible for overseeing nursing staff. They work in hospitals and healthcare facilities, providing essential organizational and operational support that enables patient care.

Typical duties for nursing managers include developing clinical procedures, responding to patients’ needs, conducting staff evaluations, and maintaining budgeting and fiscal responsibilities.

Mental Health Nursing


Mental health nurses provide healthcare to patients who are dealing with mental illnesses. They create treatment plans, administer medications, observe patients, and provide therapy. Mental health nurses work in hospitals, mental health clinics, prisons, long-term care facilities, and outpatient programs.

They need to be able to empathize with their patients and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Oncology Nursing


Oncology nurses specialize in providing care to patients with cancer. They often offer emotional and psychological support in addition to medical care, and must be familiar with a wide range of cancer treatments.

Oncology nurses work in surgeries, hospital settings, long-term care facilities, and outpatient settings.

Pediatric Nursing


Pediatric nurses provide specialized healthcare services to families of children with physical and emotional health issues. They typically work in pediatric departments of hospitals, but also in long-term care facilities, as well as private practices.

Pediatric nurses are tasked with understanding and caring for their patients’ physical needs, as well as educating their families on how to care for their children at home.

Legal Nurse Consultant


Legal nurse consultants use their experience and nursing education in the legal field to support attorneys and provide expert medical testimony in cases related to medical malpractice, personal injury, or long-term care.

Legal nurse consultants must be knowledgeable in both the medical and legal fields in order to provide accurate testimony in court.

Occupational Health Nursing


Occupational health nursing is a field that focuses on workplace safety and the health of the workers. Occupational health nurses help to prevent workplace accidents, identify workplace hazards, and provide education and training to employees on the use of safety equipment.

They also provide health services and screenings such as vaccinations and periodic medical exams.

Family Nurse Practitioner


Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who are certified in family practice. These healthcare professionals provide primary care services including diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions in individuals of all ages.

They also provide preventative care services, such as annual physicals, immunizations, and health screenings.

Nurse Midwife


Nurse midwives offer healthcare services to pregnant women before, during, and after childbirth. They provide prenatal care, monitor labor and delivery, and offer gynecologic care for women of different age groups. Nurse midwives also provide family planning and health education services.

Gerontological Nursing


Gerontological nursing is an area of nursing that focuses on providing care to older adults. A gerontological nurse works to assess the health needs of elderly patients, create individualized care plans, and offer support and guidance to their families. Gerontological nurses may also work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or home healthcare.

Clinical Nurse Specialist


Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice nurses who specialize in a particular area of healthcare such as nutrition, primary care, pediatrics, oncology, gerontology, and many more.

They work as part of a healthcare team to provide supportive care and educational resources to their patients. Clinical nurse specialists often provide clinical assessments, supervise nursing staff, and participate in research projects.

Critical Care Nursing


Critical care nurses provide care to patients in life-threatening situations, such as those who are in intensive or post-operative care. Critical care nurses must be able to respond quickly and effectively to any medical emergencies that arise.

They must also be knowledgeable in various areas of medication management, pain assessment, and resuscitation techniques.

Flight Nurse


Flight nurses provide life-saving care to patients while they are being transported between medical facilities. They work closely with air medical transport teams to assess the patient’s condition, coordinate care among healthcare providers, and provide emergency medical and patient care.

Flight nurses must posses a high level of physical and mental stamina, as they are often working in stressful and unpredictable situations.

Conclusion


Nursing is a diverse and rewarding profession that allows individuals to explore a wide range of career paths. With a nursing degree, you can choose to work in one of the 15 roles listed in this article, or pursue other nursing specialties.

No matter your chosen field of practice, a nursing degree can be incredibly empowering and give you the opportunity to make a difference in the health of your patients.

FAQ: The most common and rewarding things you can do with a nursing degree.


Q: What is the highest paid nursing job?


A: The highest-paid nursing job is typically a nurse anesthetist, followed by a nurse practitioner, and then a clinical nurse specialist.

Q: Are nursing degrees worth it?


A: Absolutely! Nursing is a rewarding and flexible profession that requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. With a nursing degree, you can choose from a variety of job roles and specialize in a field that suits your expertise and interests.

Q: How to make 7 figures as a nurse?


A: Making 7 figures as a nurse is possible, but it is not typical. Depending on the area you specialize in, you may be able to make a higher salary if you have the necessary experience and expertise. Becoming a nurse practitioner may be a good route to take if you want to make 7 figures.

Q: Do nurses really make 100k?


A: While it is possible for nurses to make 6-figure salaries, it is not common. Average salaries for registered nurses vary between $50,000 and $75,000 a year depending on experience.

Q: Can I blog as a nurse?


A: Yes, you can start your own blog as a nurse. There is a wide variety of topics you can cover as a nurse blogger, such as medical news, health advice, career advice, and even stories from your work.

Q: Do nurse bloggers make money?


A: Yes, nurse bloggers can make money by monetizing their blog. Common ways to monetize a blog include displaying advertisements, selling products, and offering services.

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