Hospital Careers

The nursing profession has come far from the days of Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale. You are now able to choose from a wide variety of specialties and work locations. Many nurses work in hospitals, but not all. This article will cover hospital careers, followed by an article that talks about nursing jobs outside of hospitals.

Nursing Jobs in the Hospital
The first two jobs listed below require advance training, usually a Master's degree. Nurses in these fields have usually worked as RNs for a few years before completing the advanced degrees.

Nurse Practitioner: Nurse Practitioners work under the supervision of a doctor, but they perform many of the same duties as a doctor. In many states, they can prescribe medication. An NP will work independently unless the knowledge of the doctor is needed. As doctors became more specialized, the number of general practice doctors dropped. State boards then created the position of Nurse Practitioner. An NP often takes the place of a family doctor and can handle common illnesses and give out expert health advice. NPs have to have a Master's degree, and most NP programs require several years of experience before an applicant can start the program.
Nurse Anesthesiologist: This specialty also requires years of experience and a Master's degree. Most anesthesia given in U.S. hospitals is administered by Nurse Anesthesiologists. Nurse Anesthesiologists ease pain and discomfort during surgery. This career is the highest paid of nursing specialties.
Cardiac Care Nursing: Heart problems are a leading cause of hospitalization and of death in the United States. Treating and preventing heart illness is one of the top medical campaigns. Cardiac Care Nurses help doctors treat patients with heart disease through bypass surgery, implantation of pacemakers, and angioplasty. Most Cardiac Care Nurses work in hospitals, but some work in medical clinics or make visits to their patients at home.
Case Manager Nursing: A Case Manager Nurse usually cares for patients in long-term care, who have a confusing schedule of appointments with all types of doctors, therapists, and clinics. The Case Manager Nurse acts as a mediator between the patient and the various doctors and keeps the appointments on track. He or she also ensures that the care for the patient is handled for the facility in a cost-effective way. Case Manager Nurses usually have a specialty inside the manager category, such as with children or the elderly, or by condition, such as AIDs, cancer, heart disease, etc.
Critical Care Nursing: Critical Care Nurses tend patients who are in critical condition, usually in a critical care unit of the hospital. Their patients may be those who have had a stroke or severe injury. The Critical Care Nurse works to restore the patient to a stable condition, so this specialty requires compassion, quick thinking, in-depth knowledge of nursing, and good people skills. Because of the condition of the patient, the Critical Care Nurse must also be able to handle the emotions of family members. Bringing a patient back from near death is a reward that few other professions, including other nurses, experience.
Emergency Room Nursing: Emergency Room Nurses must be quick on their feet, not easily shaken, able to act under tough circumstances, and well versed in nursing. Their patients include everyone from car accident victims to victims of strokes, heart attacks, or gunshot wounds. Many nurses find that this atmosphere is not for them, but others discover that this is their nursing niche.
OB/GYN Nursing: A nurse with an obstetrics/gynecology concentration treats women and their reproductive organs at all stages of life, from puberty through menopause. One part of their work is caring for women during pregnancy.
Hematology Nursing: Hematology means "disease of the blood." This is a fairly rare specialty, but an important one. Hematology Nurses treat patients with conditions such as leukemia, anemia, and hemophilia. Much of their time is geared toward helping patients and their families handle their conditions through lifestyle management and/or medication.
Intravenous Nursing: A nurse in this field, also called Infusion Nursing, administers fluids, medications, and nutrients into the patient's bloodstream. Intravenous Nurses monitor the patient during the IV administration and later check for signs of infection.
Labor and Delivery Nursing: The Labor and Delivery Nurse has a concentration similar to that of an OB/GYN nurse. This area specializes in the pregnant woman and her child during labor, and during and immediately after birth. It is a popular specialty and one that is extremely satisfying
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Sometimes called Med/Surg Nursing, this specialty cares for patients during medical procedures, surgeries, or the administration of pharmaceuticals. Patients of Medical-Surgical Nurses are most commonly in the hospital, but can also be residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities. When people think of nurses in a hospital setting, this is usually the specialty they have in mind.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing: Being a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse can be a stressful but rewarding career. Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses deal with the youngest, sickest patients and their families. Often called the NIC-U, this field entails caring for premature or extremely sick babies.
Oncology Nursing: Oncology Nurses treat patients with cancer. As cancer rates in this country increase, so do the job positions in this concentration. Oncology Nurses administer chemotherapy, educate patients about their disease, and work with doctors to develop and implement treatment plans. Oncology Nursing can be a draining but gratifying career.
Perioperative Nursing: Perioperative Nurses, also known as OR Nurses, work in the operating room. They assist the doctors during surgery, monitor the patient's condition during and after surgery, and prepare and maintain a sterile environment. A Perioperative Nurse may further specialize in a type of surgery, such as heart surgery or neurosurgery.
Otorhinolaryngology Nursing: An Otorhinolaryngology Nurse treats patients with head and neck injuries, diseases, or other abnormalities, including allergies, cancers, and cleft palates.
Pediatrics Nursing: Pediatrics Nurses care for children from birth until adulthood. In the hospital, they tend patients who have had surgery, or who are in treatment for cancer or blood disease, or other severe illnesses. This type of nurse must also be able to comfort and support the patient's family members.
Perianesthesia Nursing: This nursing specialist works as an assistant to anesthesiologists. Perianesthesia Nurses do not administer anesthesia, but care for and monitor the patients before, during, and after the process.
Perinatal Nursing: Perinatal Nursing is similar to OB/GYN Nursing, in that each cares for women during pregnancy. Much of a Perinatal Nurse's work involves educating patients throughout their pregnancies, checking their progress, and giving them health tips for themselves and their babies.
Psychiatric Nursing: Commonly called Psych Nurses, these specialists care for people with mental issues, including depression, addiction, physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, etc. This high-stress career is not for everyone, but like other specialties, it can be satisfying to help patients with these disorders.
Radiology Nursing: One of the most technical of nursing specialties, this concentration refers to nurses who perform medical imaging tests - X-rays, sonograms, and magnetic resonance scans. It is a physically demanding job, because it requires being on your feet most of the time, as well as wearing a heavy protective lead apron.
Respiratory Nursing: Respiratory Nurses are also called Pulmonary Care Nurses. They treat patients with lung problems or breathing difficulties. Usually, these patients suffer from illnesses such as lung cancer, emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, and heart disease. The Respiratory Nurse tends to ventilators or oxygen machines to help with the patient's lung function. Most Respiratory Nurses work in hospitals, but they can also make home visits to check on patients.
Rehabilitation Nursing: A Rehabilitation, or Rehab, Nurse works with permanently or temporarily disabled patients as they work to restore function. The patient's condition may have been caused by illness or injury, and he or she may be in a wheelchair or using a walker to move around. The specialty requires a lot of compassion and patience to cheer patients on during their rehab stay.
Telemetry Nursing: A Telemetry Nurse monitors the status of patients in a cardiac care unit. These nurses must know how to use sophisticated instruments, such as electrocardiogram machines, to determine the cardiopulmonary status of the patient and correctly interpret the information.
Trauma Nursing: Trauma Nursing is similar to Emergency Room Nursing. The Trauma Nurse cares for patients in the Emergency Room or just out of ER. These patients may have been in a car accident, come close to drowning, had a heart attack, or been the victim of a violent act. They are often in shock or bleeding profusely, and they require concentrated care. Trauma Nurses must be quick on their feet, fast thinking, and able to assist doctors in stabilizing their patients so they can begin to recover. It is a fast-paced, strenuous, but critically important job.

Whatever nursing specialty you choose, you will find a rewarding career caring for patients who need your help and expertise. Most nurses wouldn't trade their job or their specialty for any other.

Nursing Jobs Outside of the Hospital
The majority of nursing jobs are found at hospitals, yet many people practice nursing in locations outside of hospitals. Here are some for you to consider:

Community Health Nursing: This specialty is also called Public Health Nursing. The Community Health Nurse usually works for governments, such as in towns, cities, or counties, or for nonprofit agencies. He or she teaches the public to be aware of and avoid health risks, and to attain and maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and physical exercise. Sometimes the Community Health Nurse will work with a certain segment of people, such as the elderly or children. They often perform their educational duties by speaking at churches, at schools, to community groups, and to other organizations.
Complementary Health Care Nursing: Also called "alternative" health care, this specialty includes practices outside traditional health care, which is called allopathic medicine. Techniques such as chiropractic, massage, herbal remedies, reflexology, and acupuncture are practiced by Complementary Health Care Nurses. Many of these nurses treat patients in clinics devoted to alternative health care. These methods have increased in popularity, and some experts think they will be one of the fastest growing specialties.
Prison/Jail Nursing: Over a million people are in prison or jail in the United States. These people also need regular nursing care. It takes a dedicated person to become a Prison/Jail Nurse. You may want to talk to someone in the field before deciding to pursue a career in this area.
Managed Care Nursing: As more people have health insurance and as costs rise dramatically each year, insurance companies and HMOs are hiring more nurses. Managed Care Nurses help their employers keep medical costs down by teaching the insured about disease prevention and treatment, good nutrition principles, and management of diseases that do arise. The nurses help compare different health options to keep costs down.
Nursing Educator: There is both a shortage of nurses and an extreme deficit in Nursing Educators to teach new nurses. If you have a love of both nursing and teaching, this could be the right career option for you. You will need several years of nursing experience and a Master's degree, but educating new nurses could be your contribution to the community and country.
Administrative Nursing: Nursing Administrators work not just in hospitals, but in and for a variety of other places - nursing homes, medical clinics, nurse staffing companies, and health care providers. Talents and skills required for this position are a knack for managing people, good office skills, and several years of nursing experience. Some jobs also require a Master's degree.
Occupational Nursing: Nurses in this position typically work for private corporations, factories, and other companies that employ more than 100 people. An Occupational Nurse will conduct training for employees, especially on health and safety topics, give lectures and do inspections, and possibly run an on-site clinic for minor health problems.
Doctor's Office/Medical Center Nursing: One type of nurse that patients most often see is the nurse in their doctor's office. These nurses check vitals, take medical history, and assist the doctor in diagnosing and treating people who come to the office or medical center with common illnesses. At a medical center, they may care for people with ongoing medical issues, such as diabetes or heart problems.
Missionary/Goodwill Nursing: Many groups provide relief and aid to developing companies. A Missionary/Goodwill Nurse may work for a government agency, a nonprofit organization, or a religious group. If you like the idea of helping less fortunate people and living overseas, there are many jobs in this specialty. Nurses are needed and valued around the world.
Pain Management Nursing: Pain Management Nursing is a growing field, and new research advances the possible methods every year. New techniques to measure pain levels and to provide pain relief with appropriate medicines have helped people fighting cancer, struggling with chronic pain from many sources, and recovering from surgeries and accidents. This nursing concentration requires a Master's degree.
School Nursing: You may remember School Nurses from your primary school days. School Nurses are in even higher demand now, because of more schoolchildren and more children with special needs. This specialty does not require an advanced degree, and it is the perfect career choice for someone who enjoys kids. A School Nurse may work full time at one school or alternate between different schools on each day of the week. Private schools also hire full-time and part-time School Nurses.
Substance Abuse Nursing: As substance abuse problems continue to plague our society, there is a continuing need for nurses to care for the patients. A Substance Abuse Nurse may work in a detox or rehab center or in private counseling. With the guidance of a Substance Abuse Nurse, people can safely beat addiction to drugs or alcohol, understand what brought them to the addiction, and rebuild their lives, free from addiction. This focus can be stressful and difficult because of the frequent relapses of these patients. But it can also be very rewarding and is a great career option for nurses who want to help people make a difference in their lives.
Certified Nurse Midwife: Once you have received your RN degree, you may choose to continue to a Master's degree in midwifery. Your course of study must be approved by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and you will have to pass a certification test. Once you are a Certified Nurse Midwife, you will care for women during their pregnancies, deliver the babies, and care for mothers and babies immediately after birth. This career choice is a rewarding one, and it might be the right option for you.
Temp Nursing: If you are interested in the challenge of performing an assortment of jobs in a variety of places, you might want to sign up with a temporary nurse staffing agency. You can choose what specialties you want to work in and where, and even choose the length of the job. You can plan to take weeks off when you wish or work around your family's schedule. Some agencies specialize in Travel Nursing. You can choose to spend a few weeks wherever you would like to live for a short time. Usually your housing is paid for on these travel nursing jobs, and you can also be paid a per diem. Maximum flexibility of schedule, type of nursing, and location are several of the outstanding attributes of Temp Nursing. As the number of temp agencies has grown, benefits have improved, and many nurses now choose the temp option as their plan for work. If flexibility and variety are your choice, Temp or Travel Nursing might be the great choice for you.

These are just a few of the many options open outside the hospital. Some nurses care for diabetic or heart patients in the patients' homes; some provide hospice care, a mixture of home health care and hospital care; others work with cancer patients in the patients' homes or specialized care centers; and some work for lawyers or legislators preparing bills, at camps for children, or even at poison control centers. In addition, all of the military services have an ongoing need for nurses to care for troops and their families.

The world of nursing continues to respond and adapt to the rapid changes in our society. New nursing specialties are constantly created to meet the changes. If you would like to become a nurse, the possibilities are endless, both in hospital settings and out; and new opportunities are developing all the time. A challenging and flexible nursing career may be just the fit for you, and the number of nurses that will be needed in the future means a secure job with choices of specialty and workplace.