Different Career Options to Consider With a Degree in Nursing

Nursing is a potentially fulfilling career with many social and economic benefits. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for nursing practitioners, which means there should be plenty of job opportunities well into the future. 

According to the US Census Bureau, advancements in science and medical knowledge have led to a greater life expectancy for people in the United States, which means there is an aging population in need of care. This, coupled with the exodus of general physicians, has created a gap in the healthcare industry. Fortunately, with online learning, nursing programs have become more flexible, helping to train nursing professionals. 

However, some people who enter the nursing field are not fully aware of the many opportunities in the industry in terms of the roles they can take up with their nursing qualifications. Here are some details on the career options that are available to people looking to get into a career in nursing.

Nurse attorney

If you are interested in law as a nursing professional, you should consider a career as a nurse attorney. Nurse attorneys are nursing professionals who are also qualified and licensed to practice as lawyers. They work in practice areas such as administration, regulation and compliance, patient safety, insurance, and medical litigation. To become a nurse attorney, you will need to undergo training as a nurse, obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing and take the licensing exam before proceeding to law school.    

Certified dialysis nurse 

Dialysis is a medical procedure used for individuals with advanced kidney failure to remove waste and excess fluids from their blood. A certified dialysis nurse specializes in the care of patients undergoing dialysis treatment. They monitor patients’ vitals during treatment, help them access the dialysis machine, and educate them on proper self-care after the treatment. To become a certified dialysis nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the National Nephrology Certification Organization. 

Diabetes nurse

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes sugar. A diabetes nurse specializes in providing healthcare to individuals living with diabetes, managing their medication and educating them on proper self-care. To become a diabetes nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and obtain the Advanced Diabetes Management Certification from the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Certified legal nurse consultant 

A certified legal nurse consultant is a nursing professional who uses their expertise in healthcare and medicine to assist lawyers in medical-related cases such as personal injury, product liability and malpractice. They review medical records, research medical standards and practices, and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings. To become a certified legal nurse consultant, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. 

Gerontological nurse practitioner

A gerontological nurse practitioner specializes in providing healthcare to the elderly population. They manage chronic illnesses, conduct physical examinations and perform diagnostic tests. To become a gerontological nurse practitioner, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing and pass the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam.

Emergency nurse 

An emergency nurse assists patients in the emergency room, monitoring their vitals and administering treatments. They also collaborate with doctors to determine each patient’s best course of action. To become an emergency nurse, one must have either an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in nursing. It is recommended that nurses accrue a minimum of two years of emergency nursing experience before seeking Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) certification. 

Neonatal nurse 

A neonatal nurse cares for newborn infants, particularly those who are ill or premature. They monitor the infants’ vitals and administer medication as necessary. To become a neonatal nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass an accredited neonatal care certification exam. 

Pediatric nurse 

A pediatric nurse specializes in providing healthcare to children and adolescents. They assist in performing routine checkups, administering vaccinations, and managing chronic illnesses. To become a pediatric nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. 

Nurse midwife 

A nurse midwife assists in childbirth and provides prenatal, postpartum, and gynecological care for women. They are also trained to handle complications during labor and delivery. To become a nurse midwife, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from an accredited school and pass the certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. A DNP provides opportunities for advanced leadership positions while satisfying your intrinsic motivations to continue to impact individual, population and systems outcomes through innovative and evidence-based practice initiatives

Travel nurse 

A travel nurse travels to various healthcare facilities as needed to provide temporary assistance with patient care. They often work in underserved or rural areas where there is a shortage of healthcare professionals. To become a travel nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and additional certifications may be required depending on the assignment. 

Forensic nurse

A forensic nurse assists in collecting evidence, providing medical care, and testifying in legal proceedings for victims of violence or abuse. To become a forensic nurse, one must have at least a graduate degree in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the International Association of Forensic Nurses. 

Nurse anesthetist

A nurse anesthetist administers anesthesia to patients before and during surgery and other medical procedures. They also monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure and provide pain management afterward. To become a nurse anesthetist, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. 

Nurse practitioner

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who can diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, and conduct physical examinations. To become a nurse practitioner, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurses Credentialing Center. 

Psychiatric nurse 

A psychiatric nurse provides mental health care to patients, including therapy and medication management. They also work with physicians to create individualized treatment plans for each patient. To become a psychiatric nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. 

Nursing informatics

Nursing informatics is a specialized field that combines nursing, computer science, and information technology to improve patient care with electronic medical records and data analysis. To become a nursing informatics specialist, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and pass the certification exam administered by the American Nursing Informatics Association. 

Nurse educator

A nurse educator trains and teaches future nurses at the college level as well as continuing education courses for current healthcare professionals. To become a nurse educator, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing and gain additional certifications such as the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Academic Nurse Educator (CNE-CL) certifications.

Nurse administrator

A nurse administrator manages healthcare facilities and staff, including tasks such as budgeting, hiring and creating policies. To become a nurse administrator, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing or a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree before seeking certification as a nursing executive. 

Nurse researcher

A nurse researcher conducts studies and collects data to improve patient care and the overall field of nursing. To become a nurse researcher, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing and may also need additional certifications or specializations depending on their specific area of research. 

Clinical nurse specialist

A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides expert care and consultation to patients and healthcare professionals. To become a clinical nurse specialist, one must have at least a Master’s Degree in nursing or a Doctor in Nursing Practice degree before seeking specialty certifications.  

Orthopedic nurse 

An orthopedic nurse cares for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, including fractures, sprains and joint replacements. To become an orthopedic nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and may also pursue additional certification through the Orthopedic Nurses Certification Board. 

Public health nurse

A public health nurse promotes and protects the health of entire communities, including providing preventive care and education. To become a public health nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and may also pursue additional certifications in public health nursing.

Oncology nurse 

An oncology nurse cares for patients with cancer and assists with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. To become an oncology nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and may also pursue additional certification through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. 

Critical care nurse 

A critical care nurse cares for critically ill or injured patients, often in intensive care units. To become a critical care nurse, one must have at least a Bachelor of Science in nursing and may also pursue additional certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. 

There are several factors to consider when choosing a nursing specialty, including educational requirements, job outlook, and salary potential. With so many options available, it is important to do your research to find the right fit for you.