Staff Nursing

Areas

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

Employers

• 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

Strategies

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

Areas

• Home Health
• Rural Nursing
• Health Education

Employers

• 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

Strategies

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

Areas

• Temporary Staffing
• Travel Nursing
• Personal Services Contracting
• Private Duty
• Midwifery

Employers

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

Strategies

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

Areas

• Staff Nursing
• Administration
• Policy Development
• Research

Employers

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

Strategies

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

Areas

• Teaching
• Educational Administration

Employers

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

Strategies

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

Employers

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

Strategies

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

Employers

• Call centers
• Private Offices
• Clinics
• HMO's
• Hospitals

Strategies

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

Employers

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

Strategies

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

Employers

• 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

Strategies

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, or for advanced practice meeting in the newly deveoped doctorate of nursing practice.  
• All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA Employer