Nursing Schools: Five In-Demand Nursing Careers
The health care industry is under enormous strain. From rising insurance costs to a lack of qualified nurses, it is no secret that the problems will get worse before they get better. Commonly known as the crisis in health care, there is some hope on the horizon in the area of training nurses. By combining internet technology with traditional course materials, nurses can continue and enhance their current education by gaining bachelor, master and even doctorate degrees online. What will surprise many is that the schools offering these degrees are some of the most prestigious and oldest nursing schools in the nation.
Many would question that an online education lacks the critical component of the hands-on clinical experience. The solution is actually easily solved. Hospitals and clinics are in dire need of newly experienced nurses, and there are more openings than nurses to fill the clinical training spots. It is a win win situation. Hospitals get to know and often hire the nurse that they are training. Nurses get the much needed clinical experience close to home, and many times a job offer is waiting for them when their clinical training is over. Here are five common nursing jobs that can offer a fulfilling career choice for the right person.
Home Health Nurse
Working as a home healthcare nurse in private homes, you prepare meals, offer basic bedside care, and emotional comfort. You monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration. You help family members learn basic nursing tasks. The median annual income is about $35,000 for this nursing position.
Where Do You Start? A licensed practical nurse (LPN) program lasts about a year and are offered through community colleges and vocational schools. Demands for geriatric care are projected to drive up LPN job creation in the home healthcare services sector and should offer you good job prospects..
Staff Nurses
Staff nurses work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. You generally work alongside physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare providers. You record medical and treat patients’ symptoms as well as treat and educate patients. You also help perform tests and analyze their results, and you can administer treatments and medications. The median salary for a hospital staff nurse is about $53,500 per year.
Where Do You Start? A registered nurse (RN) certification opens the door to numerous nursing tracks and jobs including that of staff nurse. Additionally, bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN), a accelerated LPN to BSN nursing degree, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), a certificate programs can prepare you for the many career options open to registered nurses (RN).
School Nurse
Much has changed since 1902 when school nursing began in the United States. A school nurses’ duties have greatly expanded since then. Today’s school nurse provides health assessment, intervention, and follow-up with students. You ensure the health and safety of the schools staff and students by helping to maintain the school’s compliance with healthcare policies. School nurses can also refer students for more medical help when hearing, vision, and other issues become inhibitors to successful learning.
Where Do You Start? Generally, you should already be a Registered Nurse (RN), and ideally, you should also hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Furthering a career in this field, a master’s degree in nursing or a MBA in health care will provide you career mobility and offers of policy-level positions. Many school nurses hold not only a Nurse Practitioner certification, but also an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certification
Forensic Nurse
You can help solve crimes as a forensic nurse, if you have your current RN certification. Forensic nurses assist in criminal investigations of accidental death, sexual assault, homicide, and other criminal cases. Then, forensic nurses testify about their findings in court. When specializing in this field, you will spend the least amount of your time in patient contact.
Where Do You Start? You must hold a current RN certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Further course work or a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice will offer you an added edge for forensic nurse job openings. Specialized forensic nursing certifications are available online.
Legal Nurse Consulting
If you have an interest in legal matter and if you are a registered nurseyou can enter the in-demand field of legal nurse consulting. A legal nurse consultant acts as a healthcare liaison with attorneys, physicians, and other clients. Legal nurse consultants are needed in law firms, government offices, hospital risk management departments, and other healthcare or legal-related business.
Where Do You Start? Probably the quickest path into this profession is to earn a legal nurse consulting certificate. Otherwise an RN certification, or ideally a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and a solid educational background in the legal system is necessary to become a legal nurse consultant. Earning a criminal justice degree combined with a degree in nursing will open the doors to employment in the nurse consulting field. If you haven’t already gotten a bachelor’s in nursing, there are accelerated RN to BSN online program.
Education Will Make Your Nursing Future Brighter
The rapid growth in the healthcare system is opening up many new nursing professions and opportunities. The educational system is adapting by creating courses and degrees to meet the challenges. To help meet the social needs and take part new and advanced career opportunities, continuing your education is a necessity.
There are many avenues from accelerated programs, to online degrees, to vocational schools to help you meet your career goals.
We’ve explored only five in-demand nursing careers. There are Almost every field within nursing is experiencing more job demand than there are nurses to fill the positions. The best way to secure your future in nursing is through education.
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