The 13 Best Nursing Career Options In 2022
You've probably heard that the job market in the field of nursing is very competitive and that finding work in any industry is challenging. That's why we are here to help you. Continue reading this article to help make up your mind and choose the best nursing career.
Below are the 14 best nursing careers to consider:
1. Nursing informatics specialist
The field of nursing informatics has been around for a while. Still, it has recently gained popularity in our tech-driven culture. Nurses who specialized in informatics had lofty goals in the 1980s.
Despite the widespread positive effects of informatics on nursing, practitioners agree that much remains to be done. Nurse informatics is a growing industry with many opportunities as electronic health records (EHRs) and mobile devices become the norm in healthcare. Nurses with a focus on informatics now mine data for insights about how to enhance clinical processes and provide superior patient care.
2. Virtual Nursing
After reading about it online, nurses can tell you countless anecdotes about patients who self-diagnosed and treated a health condition. With the help of a computer, a phone, and video call software, a "virtual nurse" can give sound advice and treatment to patients.
Because of the development of telemedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of patients, a virtual nurse's duties may expand beyond those of a primary care provider. One example of a task you might be assigned is triaging online appointments.
A virtual nurse can provide peace of mind that their care has not been interrupted for housebound patients owing to illness or other factors. Good communication and technical proficiency are required for virtual nurses.
3. Nursing midwife
In addition to delivering babies, nurse midwives serve as primary care physicians for pregnant women and infants. More nurse midwives are needed because of their adaptability. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts nearly double the national average of 5% job growth through 2030.
4. Mobile health care
The concept of travel nursing was developed to address a deficit in the nursing workforce. It has since become a well-liked career path for those with a taste for adventure. A nurse's assignment could take her anywhere, from a picturesque setting to the scene of a natural disaster. A travel nurse may be substituted for a regular staff in the event of a strike.
A staffing agency can help any licensed nurse, nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, or certified nursing assistant find a temporary position in another location. A high degree of adaptability and the capacity for change is essential.
Higher-than-average compensation and free or low-cost lodging are two of the perks of working as a travel nurse. The United States also has openings for international nurses with the necessary qualifications to work here.
5. Nursing educator
Facilitate the development of future nurses by imparting your wisdom and insight to them. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that in 2020, over 80,407 suitable students sought admission to nursing schools but were partially denied due to faculty shortages, namely a lack of competent candidates with masters or doctoral degrees in education.
There will undoubtedly be a rising need for nurse educators. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing predicts a large percentage of nurse educators will retire within the next decade, leading to a scarcity of faculty members in academic institutions across the country.
6. Home care nursing
Even while patients spend less time in the hospital, they still require support once they leave. Because of this, the demand for nurses who provide care in the home has increased. And yet another factor? As medical technology improves, more and more complex procedures may be performed on patients in their own homes.
A home health aide can expect to see many people in their care. People at all ages and stages of life, from seniors to newborns to those recovering from injuries or living with long-term diseases, may be under your care. A home-care nursing career may be a suitable choice if you're looking to avoid the hospital setting and instead form lasting bonds with a consistent clientele.
7. Nursing case manager
More people in the United States are living longer, which means more work for case management nurses. Since individuals are living longer, there will be greater demand for long-term support and counseling while dealing with chronic diseases.
RNs that specialize in case of management oversee a patient's treatment, keep tabs on their budget and available resources, and make sure their loved ones are taken care of. These nurses are often the ones to make crucial decisions.
8. Geriatric Nursing
When you add that the baby boomer generation is getting older, you have a recipe for the rising demand for senior nurses. The duties of a geriatric nurse are similar to those of a regular registered nurse (RN). Still, they also specialize in caring for patients with age-related conditions and disorders like cancer, Alzheimer's, and osteoporosis. You will also act as a patient advocate, which is especially important when dealing with older patients who may have problems expressing their preferences.
9. Emergency room nurse
A critical care nurse needs to make decisions quickly and accurately. Many are employed in hospitals' intensive care units (ICUs), where they care for patients with life-threatening illnesses like burns and heart disorders.
Critical care nursing is rapidly developing as more hospitals build intensive care units and nursing homes care for critically ill patients. Nurses working in intensive care units must be adept with high-tech equipment and multitask.
10. Neonatal/perinatal nurse
Women and their newborns are the primary focus of both neonatal and perinatal nurses. Healthcare professionals who assist mothers before, during, and after delivery are perinatal nurses.
Care for newborns up to 28 days is a regular aspect of a neonatal nurse's job following birth. Babies born prematurely or with major medical issues often require the exceptional care provided by neonatal nurses in specialized wards known as neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Perinatal nurses, also known as labor and delivery nurses, are present to support and educate the patient and their partner throughout the entire birthing process at a hospital or birthing center.
Perinatal and neonatal nurses need strong communication skills because they are responsible for informing patients and their families about pregnant and infant care.
11. Pediatric Nursing
To succeed in pediatric nursing, you'll need to have a genuine passion for working with children of all ages. As a pediatric nurse, you will often have to check and treat children who are too young to comprehend why they are being prodded and poked.
You'll also need the ability to speak with authority figures like parents and teachers. Nurses specializing in pediatrics can be found in various healthcare settings, from general practitioners' offices and children's hospitals to urgent care centers and rehabilitation clinics.
12. Mental health nurse
Working as a psychiatric nurse can make it easier for people to get the mental health care they need. The United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that due to a lack of trained mental health professionals, only 44% of adults and less than 20% of children and adolescents with diagnosable mental health problems receive the assistance they require.
Psychiatrists and doctors rely on these nurses to help them interview and diagnose patients. Knowledge of mental health concerns and the empathy and maturity to work with those with mental illness is essential for success in this position.
Mental health nurses provide care to patients in inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as in schools, correctional facilities, and hospitals.
13. Labor or delivery nursing
In the nursing profession, you may experience highs and lows of intensity, tension, and happiness. The nurses who assist in childbirth need to be able to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, from encouraging a laboring mother to taking charge if complications occur.
They must also be able to accept the loss and be ready for the times when the outcome is devastating.
Nursing is a life-long learning process
The healthcare sector is ever-changing as new technologies and therapies are introduced. To be effective in their ever-evolving roles, frontline nurses must constantly expand their knowledge and skillsets. Career-minded nurses who view themselves as lifelong learners are better positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities and assume expanded roles in the healthcare system.
- Enroll in CE classes: Nurses are expected to complete CE classes at regular intervals (often every two years). For specifics, please contact your state's board of nursing.
- Acquire credentials: If you want to work in a particular field of nursing, which may require you to specialize, one option is to become certified in that area. This will convey to potential employers that you are dedicated to the field and have the necessary skills.
- Complete your master's degree, and you may be eligible for positions as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or certified nurse anesthetist.
Changes in Nursing Profession
Nursing is known for being both incredibly fulfilling and incredibly demanding. Some nurses, after several decades of practice, opt to specialize in a particular area of nursing. Returning to school is often the key to making a positive shift in one's life.
- Choose a subfield within nursing, such as midwifery, by pursuing a master's degree. If a master's degree in nursing isn't in your future, you can save time and money by enrolling in a shorter certificate program. A wide range of specialty certifications is available for your perusal.
- If you have a passion for teaching and mentoring future nurses, you may find success in the role of nurse educator. Nurses with advanced degrees (a master's or doctorate) are in high demand as instructors at colleges and universities.
- To work in medical research, you need a Ph.D. or DNSc in nursing, the highest possible degree in the field. Potential improvements to nursing care may result from your efforts.
Conclusion
Depending on your interest, you can choose from these nursing careers and take a leap in your professional growth. Be assured that WomenWire.com is there to support you in all your endeavors. Keep on reading our blog for more inspiration and updates on how to become the best version of yourself.