There are many paths to success in nursing, no matter what your level of experience.
Nursing offers endless career opportunities, whether you want to advance in your career, such as in advanced nursing positions, nursing management and leadership, or in nurse education.
You will need an advanced degree, regardless of your goals for your nursing career.
The good news? Both aspiring and actual nurses have access, at no cost, to a larger range of degree programs as well as advanced training courses. This will help to meet the growing demand for nurses at all levels within the US.
A variety of online programs make it easy for nurses to attain an advanced nursing degree. Many advanced nursing programs are now specifically designed for registered nurses. This takes into account the fact that many nurses cannot quit their jobs to complete their studies or cut their hours. The result is programs that can be easily incorporated into a full-time job as a nurse.
So, what is the best thing to do with an advanced nurse degree? You might be looking for a new career path or a way to advance your career as a nurse. Here are some top options.
1. NURSE PRACTITIONER
For registered nurses who are looking for a more advanced position, the nurse practitioner role is a growing demand.
On average nurse practitioners earn around $30k more per annum than registered nurses. They can do their own work and are granted full practice authority.
This includes diagnosis, treatment and prescription of medication. Primary care can be done by nurse practitioners, but you may also choose to specialize in pediatric, adult and neonatal nursing.
Advanced programs may be available to help you prepare for your role as a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner.
2. CRITICAL-CARE NURSE
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, critical care nurses have been in high demand. These advanced practice registered nurse play a vital role in providing medical care to patients with life-threatening conditions.
Critical care nurses usually work in hospitals, in ICUs, operating rooms, or other areas that require a higher level care for patients who are in serious or life-threatening situations. Critical care nurses provide 24/7 nursing care as well as high-intensity interventions in order to maximize the chances of patients’ survival.
3. NURSE FOR MIDWIFE
Consider a career as certified nurse-midwife, whether you’re a nurse in the future or already are.
Nurse-midwives certified are trained nurses who specialize in working with women’s needs, including during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The nurse-midwife is a highly skilled professional who provides primary and preventative healthcare for women, especially when it comes down to reproductive care.
Apart from caring for babies, nurse midwives have many other important functions. They typically work in labor and birth departments, doctors’ offices, as well as within the community.
4. CLINICAL NURSE LEADERS
A clinical nurse leader, or clinical registered nurse, is an advanced practice nurse with high clinical competence. They are typically assigned to a set of patients and serve as the team leader in order to manage and oversee their care.
It is important for clinical nurse leaders to be up-to-date with the latest developments in healthcare, medicine, and care delivery. They use evidence-based medicine to make sure their patients get the best possible care.
5. CLINICAL TRIAL NURSE
Clinical trials are an important part of our healthcare system. They help to improve our understanding and to develop new treatments.
If you are interested to work as a trial nurse in nursing, you might be a good choice.
Clinician trial nurses are not required to work in hospitals, but will often be part of large research studies. This is done to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of new treatments.
Nursing can take on many roles within clinical research.
