Nursing can be an enriching career that can offer you a way to help other people while making an excellent living. Most people in this field start as entry-level general nurses, but you can move to more advanced nursing positions if you get the additional training and education needed for the job.
Several nursing degrees can be earned to make you eligible for a high-level nursing position. However, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is an outstanding credential to have if you want to move up in the nursing world and can be easily attained through DNP programs online.
The Value of a DNP
So, why get a DNP? Walsh University offers an online MSN to DNP. The benefit of studying online is that you can complete the course whilst also remaining in work. You can even complete the course part-time rather than full-time and have the choice of three different start times, meaning extensive flexibility.
A DNP demonstrates that you’ve attained the highest level of education in nursing. With this degree, you’ll be qualified to serve in many roles. You’ll also have an easier time changing positions if you have earned a DNP and want to explore different aspects of nursing.
Advanced Nursing Positions
Whether you are new to nursing or have been working in this sector of health care for many years, you may consider applying for one of these advanced nursing positions after you have fulfilled the education requirements and are ready to contribute to the medical field in even more valuable ways.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
An advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) has more authority than an entry-level nurse practitioner and has fulfilled graduate-level education requirements. ARNPs may work in general practice or specialized roles, such as midwifery or anesthesiology.
ARNPs conduct physical examinations of patients and run tests to render diagnoses. These nurses also have the authority to prescribe medications and other therapies to help patients recover or manage their conditions. ARNPs may additionally admit patients to hospitals or other medical facilities for specialized treatment and discharge patients at the appropriate times.
Occupational Health Nurse
An occupational health nurse (OHN) plays a significant role in keeping the workplace safe. These nurses work to reduce health risks in different work environments and let business owners and managers know the changes that should be made to keep employees safe. OHNs often put together safety programs that workers are advised to follow to avoid hazards on the job.
These nurses can also monitor employees’ health statuses to ensure they are fit for the job. In addition, an OHN may conduct physical examinations, which often include hearing and vision tests. Drug testing and alcohol screenings are also conducted by OHNs regularly.
OHNs are especially useful in work settings where accidents are more likely to occur. For example, if an employee gets sick or is hurt on the job, an OHN may treat the patient and can also document any health incidents in the workplace. The OHN is even sometimes responsible for helping employees manage their insurance claims and workers’ compensation benefits.
Public Health Nurse
These nurses are dedicated to promoting general health among people in specific demographics and society at large. Certain populations within society may be more susceptible to widespread illnesses or might not be getting the care they deserve, and a public health nurse also works to address these challenges.
Public health nurses are often involved in policymaking. As a public health nurse, you may need to advocate on people’s behalf to enact new policies or change existing policies to help everyone access essential healthcare services designed to benefit people of all backgrounds.
These nurses often play important roles during public health emergencies. For example, public health nurses proved to be especially valuable at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. They were often called upon to care for patients who suffered from the condition and administer vaccines to try to limit the spread of the virus.
You might not work as a public health nurse in a traditional hospital setting. Instead, you work at different community agencies to provide testing and medication to people, along with running education programs to inform the public of health conditions that might be affecting a specific area. Public health nurses are also often found in government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Hospice Nurse
Unlike other nurses who try to treat and cure medical conditions, hospice nurses work to minimize symptoms and ensure comfort for terminally ill patients. Hospice care is designated for people with a life expectancy of six months or less.
Even though hospice nurses don’t provide medications to treat health conditions, they may administer pain medicine or other treatments to alleviate symptoms. Hospice nurses also communicate closely with doctors and loved ones to ensure the patient receives the best care possible.
Hospice nurses often work in hospitals and nursing homes. Still, some nurses also make house calls and provide care to patients who have chosen to receive home hospice care. There are even designated hospice centers that employ hospice nurses.
After fulfilling your basic education requirements, you may choose to obtain additional hospice nursing certifications if you want to work in this position. Any additional certifications recommended can prepare you better for this role and help you get hired easier.
Plastic Surgery Nurse
A career as a plastic surgery nurse might be something to consider if you want a nursing job that is more outside the box. Instead of working in a hospital or standard doctor’s office, plastic surgery nurses usually work at cosmetic surgical centers.
Plastic surgery nurses assist doctors while cosmetic surgery is performed to limit complications and help provide any additional treatment the patient needs. These nurses also assist with follow-up care for patients healing properly after their surgeries.
Even though plastic surgery is often considered non-essential, some patients who suffer from certain medical conditions or become disfigured from traumatic accidents can benefit greatly from this type of treatment. Plastic surgery nurses often help patients regain the quality of their lives by assisting doctors with reconstructive treatments.
Research Nurse
If you like to conduct in-depth research, you may enjoy a fulfilling career as a research nurse. This particular type of nurse oversees clinical trials and other studies to develop and test new treatments. Research nurses also write reports and other publications to inform medical professionals and the general public of their findings.
Along with research, these nurses must find eligible study participants and screen potential candidates to ensure they qualify. Once eligible participants have been found, they must be given detailed information about the study and notified of the possible health risks they might encounter.
Research nurses are also tasked with obtaining funds and supplies for research projects. These nurses often write grant proposals to secure money for their work. Research nurses are also responsible for ordering the supplies needed for studies and ensuring that these items are in stock whenever required.
Nurse Case Manager
A nurse case manager often serves as the intermediary between doctors, patients, and others in a particular patient’s care team. The duties of this position include creating treatment plans, setting up appointments, and ensuring that each patient gets the right amount of care needed to improve their well-being. A nurse case manager can also provide supplementary educational materials to patients and their loved ones so that everyone will know what to expect with treatment.
Along with ensuring that each patient receives proper care at a medical facility, a nurse case manager can evaluate their health status and how they respond to treatments outside of a doctor’s office or hospital. This extra monitoring can help patients achieve better treatment outcomes.
Some entry-level nursing positions deal with elements of case management, but employers usually want people with more advanced degrees to work as nurse case managers. However, working as a less-advanced nurse can help you get valuable experience that can be applied to your case management career pursuits.
Nursing Supervisor
A nursing supervisor can be an ideal career choice if you want to work in health care management. Nursing supervisors oversee teams of nurses to ensure that all tasks that must be done to provide quality patient care and maintain an efficient medical setting are completed.
One of the most crucial aspects of being a nursing supervisor is ensuring that patients being cared for within the medical facility receive the correct medications at the proper times. Nursing supervisors must oversee medication schedules and delegate nurses to give these medications to patients.
Nursing supervisors are also responsible for handling many other clinical responsibilities. Patient and employee records must often be managed by the nursing supervisor. These supervisors have the additional responsibility of making sure that all record-keeping is done in a way that complies with HIPAA regulations.
A nursing supervisor may serve as an additional source of support for patients and family members dealing with challenging medical conditions. Nursing supervisors who are able to express compassion and communicate effectively to try to put people’s minds at ease often do better in this position.
How To Decide Which Nursing Path Is Right for You
The variety of available advanced nursing positions means that you have plenty of choices. Still, you might also have difficulty choosing a specialty because so many options are available. Many factors should be considered to help you choose the best nursing position.
Credential Requirements
The credentials required to work in specific nursing roles should be reviewed carefully. Education requirements often vary between nursing jobs; some positions require more advanced education than others. You may also need to obtain additional licensing and certifications to work in certain situations, which could take longer to earn before you can start functioning in a given role.
Level of Direct Patient Contact
Some nursing positions involve working more directly with patients than others. If you enjoy interacting with patients regularly and want to play an active role in their care, you should choose a position that gives you these opportunities. However, you might be fine with more limited patient contact, and working as a research nurse or in a similar role with fewer patient interactions could be a better fit.
Work Hours
Nurses often have a reputation for working odd and long hours, but there are also advanced nursing positions that offer more set hours. For example, occupational health, research, and public health nurses often work more regular hours than other nurses and may also experience less stress on the job. If you want a flexible work schedule, working as a traveling hospice nurse or taking another advanced nursing job that involves going to different locations may be ideal.
Types of Patients You Will Serve
Not all patients are the same, and certain temperaments work better when treating patients within specific demographics. If you consider yourself to be a particularly compassionate person who enjoys interacting with patients on a more emotional level, you may find fulfillment working with children or expectant mothers or even with hospice patients. If you are more of the analytical type, working as a research nurse or in another clinical position could be the right fit.
Exploring Travel Nursing Jobs
If you’re looking for a nursing career that offers flexibility and rewards, consider exploring travel nursing jobs. This type of nursing allows you to work in various locations and experience different healthcare settings while making a positive impact on patients’ lives.
Understanding the available housing options for travel nurses can make this career even more exciting, as it ensures you have a comfortable place to stay wherever you go. Proper housing arrangements can greatly reduce the stress of moving and help you focus on delivering quality care and conveying different assignments.
Travel nursing can provide you with the opportunity to broaden your skills, gain valuable experience, and earn competitive pay. Whether you’re a new nurse or have years of experience, travel nursing can offer a unique and fulfilling career path. Consider researching travel nursing agencies and job boards to find flexible and rewarding travel nursing jobs that align with your interests and goals.
What an Advanced Nursing Career Can Mean for You
In taking a higher-level nursing position, you can play a more prominent role in health care. Advanced nursing may give you additional opportunities to help more patients and leave a more positive legacy in the medical field. If you’re willing to earn more credentials and do whatever else is needed to advance, you could be working in one of these positions sooner than you think.
