We bet you’d agree that no other career option is as fulfilling and rewarding as nursing. Besides helping patients cope with physical ailments, nurses help them deal with the emotional pain accompanying their illnesses. Additionally, they provide comfort to the loved ones and worried families of the patient.
This in-demand and fast-paced career is economically rewarding, too. As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that registered nurses’ median annual wage was $77,600. Going by this figure, you’re likely to make a handsome amount every month and lead a good quality of life.
On top of that, nurses, whether hired by the government or private hospitals, enjoy job security. Hence, even in times of crisis, you won’t have to worry about being laid off.
Oh, and did we mention that future prospects and career options are broad after earning a nursing degree? On that note, we shall discuss the three best nursing career options that are highly rewarding both emotionally and economically.
Let’s get straight to the deets, then!
3 Top Nursing Specialty Career Choices to Consider
Whichever path you opt for after earning a degree, nursing is a healthcare profession that focuses on the care of people or patients and their families in order for them to achieve their optimal well-being and quality of life.
In the U.S. and the U.K., nurses are in high demand. Even career opportunities are vast, so you get the freedom to opt for the path that best aligns with your interest and goals.
With that said, here are the three top nursing specialty career choices that you should consider if you’re planning to make a mark in the nursing field.
1. Pain Management Nurse
As the name suggests, pain management nurses help patients, and their relatives deal with the chronic pain inflicted after assessing their pain levels. In response to the rising interest in non-pharmaceuticals and out-of-the-ordinary techniques to alleviate pain, these nurses are in high demand.
How to Become a Pain Management Nurse?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate degree in nursing (ADN), along with a valid registered nurse (RN) license, is needed to become a pain management nurse. Also, you must possess a rich experience of a minimum of two years of experience as a registered nurse in pain management.
Where most offer offline learning programs, the University of Indianapolis is among those few that offer an online accelerated BSN nursing program, which allows students to earn their degree from the comfort of their homes.
In this 100% online coursework, students gain real-world experience via in-person clinical placements. Despite being online, it follows a 1:1 model, meaning you get more time with your teachers or instructors.
After the 15-month duration course is completed, its placement clinical department assists students in finding a local placement site. What’s more, the University of Indianapolis is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), so rest assured its degree is valuable.
2. Nurse Educator
Have a degree in nursing and a passion for teaching? In that case, being a nurse educator will be the best bet, as you can make use of your degree while pursuing your passion.
Nurse educators plan, assess, and execute education programs for aspiring nurses in universities, schools, and colleges by combining their clinical experience with teaching passion. Because there’s a shortage of nurses in the education field, nurse educators are in great demand.
How to Become a Nurse Educator?
A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with a specialization in nursing education or a Master of Science in Nursing (M.A.) is needed for an individual to become a nurse educator. However, as many institutions prefer hiring nurse educators with a Ph.D. degree, it’s best to acquire it, too.
3. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
WHNP or Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses providing gynecologic, obstetric, and reproductive care aside from primary care to women of all ages. The growing awareness of female health issues contributes to a promising future for this nursing role.
How to Become a WHNP?
Aspiring women’s health nurse practitioners must obtain a graduate nursing degree in a WHNP training program after earning the license of a registered nurse. They must also receive a certification in the field of WHNP.
Careers in Nursing: The Bottom Line
In the nursing field, the career option is vast, provided you acquire the right degree in nursing. Besides the three options mentioned above, aspiring nurses can become physical therapists, occupational nurses, forensic or legal nurse consultants, nurse health coaches, clinical social workers, and so on.
Just make sure you complete a BSN, MSN, or Ph.D. and obtain an RN license to launch your career in nursing.