Nursing

Career Programs and Student Development

Explore - What Can I Do with This Major?

Nursing

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AREAS

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES

STAFF NURSING
Hospital Specialties Include:
Pediatrics
Surgical
Emergency
Critical Care
Maternity
Women's Health
Newborn Intensive Care
Cancer Treatment
Psychiatric/Mental Health
Operating Room/Recovery Room
Various Others
Occupational or Industrial Health

Hospitals
Clinics and medical centers
Physicians' offices and medical groups
Outpatient surgery centers
Home health agencies
Extended care facilities:
Nursing homes
Rehabilitation centers
Hospices
Psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies
Educational institutions
Large corporations

Gain experience through externship or internship
programs.
Work or volunteer in healthcare and medical settings during summers and breaks.
Take electives in areas such as wellness, holistic health, medical ethics, and death and dying.
Develop good organizational skills and the ability to
handle stress.
Develop patience, ability to work with both patients
and families for long periods, and good listening
skills.
Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and holidays
in a hospital setting.
Obtain a master's degree for positions such as nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, or nurse
administrator.
Cultivate managerial skills for head nurse or other
supervisory positions.

COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Home Health
Rural Nursing
Health Education

Public and private schools
Daycare centers
Mental health facilities
State and local health departments
Home healthcare agencies
Senior centers
Nurse-run clinics
Religious organizations
Social service agencies

Develop knowledge and skills in management,
decision-making, mediation, teaching, counseling, speaking, and writing.
Gain experience in the ability to handle emergencies, work independently, and be flexible.
Develop expertise in first aid procedures.
Expand knowledge of health issues related to age,
cultures, religions, ethics, and government
policies.
Obtain a master's degree for nurse practitioner
positions.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
Temporary Staffing
Travel Nursing
Personal Services Contracting
Private Duty
Midwifery

Healthcare staffing agencies
Travel companies
Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
Private households

Gained the required years of experience.
Learn to work autonomously and make decisions
independently.
Be prepared to move frequently to various locations either locally or abroad.
Become flexible and adaptable.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Staff Nursing
Administration
Policy Development
Research

Government health agencies including:
Public Health Service
Indian Health Service
Veterans Administration
Peace Corps
VISTA
Armed services
Prisons

Define an area of interest since government work
offers a variety of practices.
Plan on graduate study in teaching, research, or
administration for advancement.
Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems and beliefs.
Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.

EDUCATION

Teaching
Educational Administration

Teaching hospitals
Colleges and universities
Schools of nursing
Wellness centers
Public school systems
Community education programs

Develop patience, sensitivity to the needs of young
adults as well as patients, and the ability to accept responsibility for the actions of others.
Take courses in the principles and practices of
teaching.
Earn an advanced degree to teach at the college or
university level.
Gain experience in public speaking.

NURSING RESEARCH

Large hospitals and medical centers
Colleges and universities
Centers for nursing research
National Institute for Nursing
Pharmaceutical companies

Gain experience with research through supervised
independent study or class projects.
Develop curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to
detail, persistence, good writing skills, and an
understanding of statistics.
Obtain a Ph.D.

TELEHEALTH

Call centers
Private Offices
Clinics
HMO's
Hospitals

Work in other practices for five to ten years to gain
the necessary experience.
Develop good communication skills and the ability to
make important decisions quickly.

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

Embassies
Military bases
National or international government agencies
Private voluntary organizations
Church-related mission services
World Health Organization

Consider advanced education as a clinical nurse
specialist or nurse practitioner to be more
marketable.
Learn a foreign language and an appreciation for other cultures.
Inquire about the need for additional preparation in
religious studies or similar courses.
Research nursing requirements in other countries.

OTHER AREAS:
Insurance
Underwriting and Claims
Sales
Product Management
Quality Assurance
Writing
Law
Healthcare Administration
Information Management
Patient Advocacy
Forensic Nursing

Insurance companies
Hospitals
HMO's
Business and industry:
Pharmaceutical
Medical equipment and supplies
Medical marketing companies
Law firms
Medical and health publications
Healthcare websites
Healthcare advertising agencies
Public relations firms
Professional associations

Combine interest nursing and healthcare with
another field by earning appropriate graduate
degrees or gaining relevant experience.
Minor in business or communications as an undergraduate.
Develop strong computer skills and an understanding
of business practices.

GENERAL INFORMATION
• Nursing is the largest healthcare field. Three out of five nurses work in hospitals. Many nurses work part-time.
• Nursing combines science and technology with the desire to help people. One must enjoy helping people of all types and backgrounds.
• Nursing requires both physical stamina and emotional stability. Nurses must be able to follow orders and direct others.
• Earn a master's degree to prepare for advanced practice nursing including: clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and
administration. Earn a doctoral degree for research or teaching at a university.
• All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure.

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