Careers in Nursing

In order to pursue a career in nursing, it is necessary to have acquired a professionally recognized degree in this field. Nursing is a healthcare profession concerned with the provision of care for people of all ages. Nurses have a number of responsibilities when it comes to treating patients; they are required to look after the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of those in their care.



There are a wide range of career choices available to nursing professionals. Nurses can practice nursing or can pursue nursing research and careers in health policy and administration. They may work at:

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Old people’s homes
  • Mental health institutions
  • Nursing homes
  • Schools
  • Health departments
  • Research centers

Nurses have the option of specializing in a particular field. These include among others:
 

  • Intensive care nursing
  • Child health/ pediatric nursing
  • Adult health/ geriatric nursing
  • Mental health nursing
  • Midwifery
  • oncology
  • Orthopedics

How Long Does It Take to Establish a Career in Nursing?

As the baby boomers have started to age, the demand for trained health care professional has grown. In order to enter this line of work, individuals are advised to pursue these nursing programs: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) which can be completed in two years, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) which can be completed in four years, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) which can be completed in one to two years.

What Requirements Need to Be Met in Order to Start a Career in Nursing?

Students are required to complete approximately 75 credits in order to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and around 121 credits in order to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). They have to study a range of modules such as Nursing Research, Leadership in Healthcare Organizations, Community Health Nursing, Health Policy, Nursing in Geriatric Population, Nursing Management and Pharmacology.

How Much Can I Make after Establishing a Career in Nursing?

Statistics reveal that Registered Nurses earn a lucrative salary; as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, they earned an impressive annual median wage of $71,730 in 2018. The number of nurses employed in this field in 2018 was 3,059,800. The employment opportunities for these professionals are forecasted to grow by 12% from 2018 to 2028.

Nursing degrees and programs
In order to work as a nurse, it is necessary to acquire the right educational qualifications. Those interested in becoming registered nurses (RNs) must either enroll in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Those interested in learning nursing management and honing their skills for related positions or nursing research, must enroll in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or PhD in nursing degrees.

It may be possible to begin practicing nursing after taking the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) examination following a one-year certificate program. Following a two-year long associate degree in nursing or  a four-year undergraduate program in nursing, students are eligible for licensure as registered nurses (RNs). However, for more successful careers in this field, it is advisable to pursue (at the very least) a BSN degree. An MSN degree allows RNs to pursue careers in management and public policy. A doctorate in nursing enables students to acquire additional training to pursue careers as advanced practice nurses with certification as nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.

Areas of study in nursing

Nursing students acquire the necessary knowledge and skill for providing care to patients. They also learn nursing theory and practice. In addition, the students also improve their practical skills in a variety of nursing fields. Moreover, they are able to improve their communication skills, which are essential for effective dealing with patients.

Nursing areas of study include topics in nursing, medical surgical nursing practice, maternal and newborn nursing practice, psychiatric nursing practice, nursing research, nursing management and leadership, health policy and ethics in nursing.

Other Useful Resources


Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What are the best fields for nurses to work in?

A:Nursing is a broad field and comprises of many different branches. Nurses can choose to specialize in any field based on their interest and career-goal. Some of the leading areas for specialization are: oncology nursing, pediatric nursing, healthcare administration, adult care nursing, surgical nursing, community health nursing, emergency nursing, and occupational health nursing.

Q:Can you give me some information about Jobs For Nurses With An MBA degree?

A:In recent years, the healthcare administration sector has seen a rapid growth. As the healthcare industry is becoming more complex, nurses are pursuing MBA degrees and certifications to increase their skill set and job prospects. Nurses with an MBA degree will not only be specialized in clinical knowledge, but will also have a thorough understanding of management.

Q:What nursing fields of study are covered in LPN programs?

A:Various nursing fields are covered in LPN degree programs. Students will learn about important nursing concepts and practices used in the modern healthcare industry. The curriculum may vary a little from place to place, but will cover areas such as nursing fundamentals, healthcare administration, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nursing ethics.

Q:What is the income level in careers for nurses?

A:The income level of nurses will vary and depend on many factors. There are many different types of nurses in the healthcare industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses made a median annual income of $65,470 whereas licensed practical nurses made a median annual income of $41,540 in 2012.

Q:I am not sure what field of Nursing is right for me, can you tell me what major specialties are available?

A:There are many different nursing careers you can pursue. You can choose to work as registered nurse, a vocational nurse, a specialist nurse, or even a licensed practical nurse. Since nursing is a broad field and comprises of many sub-categories, you can work in areas such as oncology nursing, pediatric nursing, emergency nursing, adult care nursing, and more.

Q:Do all careers for nurses require a nursing degree?

A:Yes, to qualify for a nursing job, you must have a degree in nursing. There are many different nursing degree programs you can choose from. These programs will equip you with clinical skills, conceptual knowledge, and an in-depth understanding of healthcare. Popular nursing degree programs include the RN degree, LPN degree, BSN degree, and ADN degree.

Q:While searching for careers in nursing, I came across diabetes management nurses. What are the main responsibilities involved?

A:Diabetes management nurses are an important aspect of the nursing profession. Their main responsibility is to educate, train and assist patients diagnosed with diabetes. They advise on exercise, medication and insulin levels. Registered nurses can specialize in diabetes management in order to further their career. Prospective students are requested to search our website for a list of institutions offering this specialization.

Q:While searching for jobs for nurses after graduation, I came across NCLEX. Please explain what is that?

A:NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. It is an examination for licensing nurses in the United States. Nurses who wish to practice this profession are required to pass this examination and receive a valid license. This examination is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The requirements may vary a little from state to state.

Q:Does a career in Nursing require a license?

A:Yes, licensing is an important part of becoming a nurse. All nurses must be licensed by their state’s nursing boards. The nursing licensing examination is known as the NCLEX exam, and is designed to evaluate the nursing skill and knowledge of a student. Without a license, it is illegal to practice nursing in any state.

Q:Can you give me some information about naturopathic nursing?

A:Naturopathic nursing is a branch of nursing that focuses on the treatment of patients using naturopathic methods. The naturopathic approach includes holistic methods and ailments. Professionals in this field help patients understand the illness and recommend remedies. With the health care industry showing positive growth all over the United States, this can be a suitable career field.

Q:Will nursing career options be limited to working with the sick only?

A:Qualifying as a nurse does not mean that you will be restricted to working in a hospital or other form of clinic only. Nurses can be found in a variety of environments, such as: the armed services, doctors' offices, drugs companies, in schools, large corporations (providing first aid) to name but a few places.

Q:If I was to take up nursing as a career, would I be limited to working in a hospital?

A:Nurses are found working in all kinds of healthcare institutions. Nurses can seek work in doctor's offices, retirement homes, rehabilitation centers, private hospitals, nursing homes, and even in the Armed Services. The demand for nurses is growing in the healthcare industry and is one of the largest workforces in the nation.

Q:What are the various nurse fields of study?

A:There are multiple specializations in the field of nursing. Interested candidates can browse through our website and find detailed information on each one of them. Here are the names of some of the common specializations in nursing: licensed practical nursing, nursing informatics, administrative nursing, home nursing, midwifery, mental health nursing, and registered nursing. These can be opted in different types of degrees such as associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate.

Q:How can I know all about nursing careers?

A:Nursing careers have become one of the most sought after careers in the United States. Interested candidates can get enrolled in the certificate program and start earning in as less as one years' time span. However, candidates who want to complete their formal education before entering the professional field can get admission into the undergrad program which can be followed by the masters degree.

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