Are you considering venturing into nursing? If so, you are on the right career path.Statistics show that between 93% and 98% of nurses are pleased with their career choices. And if they had to do it again, they would still choose nursing careers.
There are
limitless benefits to becoming a nurse, from job security to personal
fulfillment and work flexibility. It's also a chance to help others and change
their lives for the better.
But did you
know there are several types of nursing careers to choose from? Read this guide
to learn more about the same.
How to Become a Nurse
Before
diving into the different types of nurses, it would help to understand the
basic requirements for becoming a nurse. The critical requirement is the
passion and zeal to help others.
Nursing is
mainly about offering physical and emotional support to the patients, their
families, and physicians. So, it would help if you were committed to that.
Other
requirements for becoming a certified nurse include:
Earn Your
Degree: This could
be an associate's degree in nursing, a Bachelor of Science in nursing, an
accelerated nursing program, or a Master of Science in nursing.
Get Your
License: You should
take and pass the national licensure exams (NCLEX) to be approved to offer
nursing services.
Select a
Specialty: You have
a range of specialties to choose from. They include critical care nursing,
nurse midwifery, clinical nursing, and neonatal nursing.
After
fulfilling the above requirements, you are good to start practicing nursing.
However, you may decide to acquire further training to progress your career
with time.
Types of Nursing
Careers
Do you want
to help physicians at hospitals, work in ambulances or help patients at home?
There is a nursing career to suit different individual preferences, and the
best part is that there are available job spots for everyone.
As per 2020
statistics, there are approximately 2.99 million nursing jobs.
And this number is projected to grow by 9% by 2030. So, you are assured of
securing a job in the nursing market. Check out these nursing careers to help
you choose the most suitable one.
Registered Nurse
At the top
of the list has to be the most common nursing career, a registered nurse. A
registered nurse is more like a doctor's assistant to help in the hospital and
other medical settings.
The primary
duties of a registered nurse include patient care, helping with diagnostic
testing, treatment planning, patient education, and case management.
The
requirements for becoming a registered nurse are Bachelor of Science in Nursing
(BSN) or Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and RN license. You must also pass
the NCLEX–RN exam.
Cath Lab Nurse
These are
among the most in-demand types of nurses. Also known as "catheterization
lab nurses," these specialists help physicians perform procedures. They
monitor the patients' conditions throughout their stay at the medical facility.
A cath lab
nurse may work in a hospital or an outpatient care center. The specialist may
also work in a private clinic or a specialized cardiac catheterization lab.
Besides
taking patients through scheduled diagnostic procedures, cath lab
nurses receive heart attack patients from emergency rooms.
Other
typical duties of cath lab nurses include patient education and monitoring
patients' vital signs. They prepare patients for procedures, evaluate sedation,
and offer discharge information.
The
requirements are a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, NCLEX-RN
certification, and Cardiac Medicine certification.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical
nurse specialists have advanced roles and responsibilities. They are also
referred to as "advanced practice registered nurses" due to their
high graduate level. Their job mainly focuses on the patient population, types
of diseases, and the type of care needed based on patient problems.
Clinical
nurse specialists have the power to oversee particular care systems and offer
professional insights on areas that require improvement. They can also give
suggestions regarding specific medical problems.
Requirements
are Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate's Degree in Nursing, or a
Masters of Science in Nursing. An RN license is also required.
Medical-Surgical Nurse
Medical-surgical
nurses offer direct care to patients in hospitals and other medical settings.
The nurses must have excellent organizational, assessment, and technical
skills. They are also required to be versed in all kinds of adult ailments. So
they must be flexible and able to offer holistic patient care.
The
requirements are an Associate's Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing. You'll also need CMSRN certification.
ER Nurses
ER nurses
are found in major hospitals' emergency rooms. The ER setting can be pretty
complex. Therefore, the job is best suited for flexible individuals who are
ready to handle emergencies or unexpected issues without panic.
