Career Opportunities for Nurses

By Laura Williams, M.S.Ed.

Many nursing specialties are in demand.

There are many career opportunities for nurses and the number of
nurses needed is only projected to increase as the population ages.
Nurses are in demand in a variety of specialties and work settings, so if
you have a nursing degree, chances are you will be able to find a
position suited to your skills and interests.
Nurses Are In Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, reports that
registered nursing is the largest health career occupation, with over 2 million jobs
for registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. About 25 percent of RNs work
part time.

Employment of RNs is expected to increase over 20 percent through 2014. The

growth is projected to come from new job openings at new general and
specialized hospitals as well as the need to replace nurses who leave full time
employment to work part time, retire or to make career changes. There is
currently a nursing shortage, both at the RN level as well as at the nursing
assistant and nursing aide levels.

About three out of every five nursing jobs are in the inpatient and outpatient
departments of hospitals. The remaining nursing jobs are in:

 Physicians' offices
 Nursing care facilities
 Home health care
 Employment services
 Government agencies
 Outpatient care centers
 Social service agencies
 Education - both public and private schools, colleges and universities

Career Opportunities for Nurses

In general, RNs are responsible for treating and educating patients while
providing advice and support to family members. Specifically, RNs record
medical histories and symptoms, administer medications and treatments and
help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.Certified vocational nurses,
nursing assistants and nursing aides back up the nurses by providing basic
patient care and monitoring.

Types of Patient Care RN Positions

 Ambulatory Care Nurses: These nurses treat patients outside of the
hospital setting, either in physician's offices or clinics.
 Critical Care Nurses: These nurses work in hospitals in the critical care or
intensive care units. They work with patients who have pulmonary,
respiratory or cardiac failure.
 Emergency Room or Trauma Nurses: These nurses treat patients with
life-threatening conditions such as accidents, strokes and heart attacks. They
work in hospital emergency rooms or as flight nurses on medical helicopters.
 Holistic Nurses: These nurses treat a patient's mental and spiritual health
in addition to their physical health. They provide care in massage,
acupuncture, biofeedback and aroma therapy.
 Home Health Care Nurses: These nurses provide at-home care for
patients who are recovering from accidents, surgery and childbirth.
 Hospice Nurses: These nurses provide care for terminally ill patients
outside of hospitals.
 Infusion Nurses: These nurses provide injections to administer
medications, blood and other fluids into patients' veins.
 Long-term Care Nurses: Long term care nurses provide medical services
to patients with chronic physical or mental disorders
 Medical-surgical Nurses: These nurses provide basic medical care to a
wide variety of patients in both in-patient and out-patient settings.
 Occupational Health Nurses: These nurses specialize in providing
treatment for job-related injuries and illnesses. They also help employers
detect potential health hazards.
 Perianesthesia Nurses: These nurses provide pre and post operative care
to surgical patients who receive anesthesia.
 Perioperative Nurses: These nurses help surgeons by handing them
instruments, control bleeding and suturing incisions.
 Psychiatric Nurses: These nurses treat patients with personality and mood
disorders.
  Radiologic Nurses: These nurses provide care to patients who are
undergoing diagnostic radiation procedures such as ultrasounds and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Many of these positions have an 8 AM to
5 PM schedule and do not require weekend work or on-call duty.
 Rehabilitation Nurses: These nurses care for patients with temporary and
permanent disabilities.
 Transplant Nurses: These nurses care for both transplant recipients and
donors.

Each Nursing Specialty or Career

1. Ambulatory Care Nurse
2. Burn Care Nurse
3. Camp Nurse
4. Cardiac Care Nurse
5. Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Nurse
6. Case Management Nurse
7. Charge Nurse
8. Correctional Nurse
9. Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) Nurse
10. Dermatology Nurse
11. Developmental Disability Nurse
12. Domestic Violence Nurse
13. Emergency Room Nurse
14. Enterostomy Nurse
15. Fertility Nurse
16. Flight Nurse
17. Forensic Nurse
18. Gastroenterology Nurse
19. Genetic Nurse
20. Geriatric Nurse
21. Holistic Nurse
22. Home Health Nurse
23. Hospice Nurse
24. ICU Nurse
25. Infection Control Nurse
26. Infusion Nurse
27. Labor and Delivery Nurse
28. Legal Nurse Consultant
29. Long-Term Care Nurse
30. Managed Care Nurse
31. Medical-Surgical Nurse
32. Military Nurse
33. Missionary Nurse
34. Nephrology Nurse
35. Neuroscience Nurse
36. NICU Nurse
37. Nurse Administrator
38. Nurse Advocate
39. Nurse Attorney
40. Nurse Entrepreneur
41. Nurse Executive
42. Nurse Manager
43. Obstetrics (OB) Nurse
44. Occupational Health Nurse
45. Oncology Nurse
46. Operating Room Nurse
47. Ophthalmic Nurse
48. Organ Procurement Coordinator
49. Orthopaedic Nurse
50. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Nurse
51. Pain Management Nurse
52. Palliative Care Nurse
53. Parish Nurse
54. Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
55. Perianesthesia Nurse
56. Perinatal Nurse
57. Plastic Surgery Nurse
58. Postpartum Nurse
59. Psychiatric Nurse
60. Public Health Nurse
61. Radiology Nurse
62. Rehabilitation Nurse
63. Research Nurse
64. Respiratory Nurse
65. Rheumatology Nurse
66. School Nurse
67. Substance Abuse Nurse
68. Telemetry Nurse
69. Telephone Triage Nurse
70. Transcultural Nurse
71. Transplant Nurse
72. Trauma Nurse
73. Travel Nurse
74. Wound Care Nurse

1. Ambulatory care nurses provide high quality nursing care in an outpatient setting. This
type of nurse may work in a clinic, medical office, university health center, government
institution or other healthcare settings where patients are not required to stay overnight.
They perform a variety of tasks including assessing symptoms, providing care for injury or
illness, taking vital signs, and any number of general nursing duties for patients.

2. Burn care nurses care for patients who have suffered physical wounds as a result of
burns. This includes the immediate stabilization of acutely burned patients, cleaning and
dressing of burn wounds and assisting in pain management and rehabilitation. Burn care
nurses, who often work in the ICU or Burn Care Units (BCUs) of hospitals, also play a
critical role in the assessment of a patient’s emotional and psychological wellbeing and
ensure patients receive compassionate care as they recover physically and emotionally
from their injuries.

3. Camp nurses provide care to campers and staff in both residential and day camps. They
often work solo or independently, so camp nurses must have excellent clinical and
managerial skills. Camp nurses complete pre-camp health assessments, and treat
everything from colds to bug bites to allergies. RNs with a background in pediatrics,
emergency care, or trauma are best suited for this role, as providing care to children with
both urgent and non-urgent medical needs is a large part of the job.

4. Cardiac care nurses treat patients with heart diseases or conditions. They may provide
cardiac and vascular monitoring, administer medication, perform stress test evaluations,
and/or help with pain management in cardiac patients. They may also tend to post-op
patients recovering from bypasses, pacemaker implants, or other heart surgeries. Cardiac
 care nurses work in hospitals, cardiovascular centers, and other healthcare environments
and work with patients of all ages.

5. Cardiac Catheterization Lab nurses are highly qualified nurses who meet the
challenges of their patient load and procedures in order to help save lives. They assist in
specialized cardiac and vascular procedures like angiograms, stent placements, and heart
monitoring, while informing patients and families of lifestyle, exercise and dietary changes
that could prolong or improve patient outcomes. Most cath lab nurses work in hospitals
and outpatient clinics and see regular patients as well as emergency cases.

6. Case management nurses work with patients and their medical teams to develop,
coordinate and implement comprehensive medical care plans over the course of an illness.
An especially rewarding field of nursing that allows RNs to develop long-term
relationships with their patients, case management nurses coordinate doctors’
appointments and surgeries, educate patients and their caregivers on their treatment options
and have the opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, ranging from hospitals
and clinics to hospice facilities and nursing homes.

7. Charge nurses manage and supervise the staff nurses in hospital wards and busy medical
facilities. They provide staff guidance, set schedules, maintain supplies, and oversee patient
education and care. Charge nurses also typically treat patients themselves, and often take
control when a medical emergency is presented. A mix of clinical and managerial
leadership skills are needed to excel in this role.

8. Correctional nurses are a highly valued part of the corrections team. A demanding role,
corrections nurses are the front-line response for patient/offender healthcare needs. With
extensive training that spans triage and medical/surgical, as well as a holistic approach to
treating the patient - but within the firm boundaries of the penal system, the correctional
nurse is concerned for patient health as well as the overall safety and security of themselves,
their fellow corrections employees, inmates and the general community.

9. Cardiovascular operating room nurses work as part of the surgical services and
operating room teams that treat open-heart (cardiovascular) patients. A specialized field
within operating room nursing, CVOR nurses assist with patient care before, during and
following surgical procedures, ensuring sterile conditions in the operating room and
providing critical quality control to ensure patient safety during surgical procedures.

10. Dermatology nurses provide care and treatment for patients with a variety of skin
conditions and diseases such as psoriasis, skin cancer and acne. In addition to assisting
with skin examinations, dermatology nurses also perform many cosmetic dermatology
treatments such as chemical peels. In response to the increase in skin cancer in the United
States, many dermatology nurses focus on early detection, treatment and patient education
 on how to prevent skin cancer. A wide and varied field, there is a wealth of career
opportunities for dermatology nurses.

11. Experts on developmental disabilities and delays, Developmental Nurses work with
patients and their facilities to understand a patients' immediate and lifelong abilities,
physical, cognitive, social and emotional traits that are associated with developmental
disabilities and other special needs and assistive devices that may need to be
accommodated for. Many Developmental Disability nurses are fierce advocates of patient
rights and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

12. Domestic violence nurses combine compassionate healthcare and forensic techniques
to care for domestic abuse victims. These nurses examine domestic violence patients for
physical, mental, and emotional wounds, and work with doctors and law enforcement
officers to report injuries. Domestic violence nurses must be patient, empathetic, and
observant, as many patients may be too traumatized to speak about their experiences
readily. They must also keep meticulous records and collect evidence for use in court, and
they may even be called to testify in domestic abuse cases.

13. ER or ‘Emergency Room’ nurses are efficient, effective and calm. Their prescences
and skills are both general – as the Emergency Room admits all kinds of patients with all
kinds of trauma – and highly specialized to assess, triage and care for those who have been
a victim of a sudden accident or illness. With a varied intake, which depends on the day
and sometimes on the hour, the ER nurse is responsible for continuously prioritizing the
needs of the patients in the emergency ward in order to ensure everyone remains stable as
doctors move to treat, admit, or refer to ancillary care. A leader with a strong ethical sense
and calm demeanor, ER nurses have equal parts strong stomach, efficient pace, and
assertive personality.

14. Enterostomy therapy nurses, often referred to as ET or stoma nurses, treat patients
before, during, and after enterostomy procedures. Once a patient has an ostomy, ET nurses
monitor the ostomy site and teach a patient and their family how to properly care for the
ostomy to prevent infection and other complications. They also assist in cleaning and
changing ostomy appliances and are a valuable resource in identifying problems,
recommending supplies, and suggesting care techniques.

15. Fertility or reproductive nurses treat and educate patients and couples on all areas
involving fertility (i.e. fertility treatments, issues with conception, egg donation and IVF,
and more). They can work in reproductive centers assisting physicians with fertility
treatments and procedures, or they may focus on counseling and education. They may also
assist researchers with the latest scientific advancements in reproductive technology.
16. Flight nurses, also referred to as transport nurses, provide critical care to patients en
route to a hospital or medical facility on board an aircraft, such as a helicopter or rescue
flight. They assess patients, administer first aid, perform resuscitation or ventilation
procedures, and monitor vital signs to keep patients stable until arrival. They also assist in
getting patients into and out of the aircraft and ensure that they are secured safely once
onboard. Upon arrival at the hospital, flight nurses update the onsite medical staff to ensure
a smooth hand-off.

17. Forensic nurses are specially trained to care for victims of trauma and abuse. In addition
to treating these patients, they work alongside law enforcement to collect evidence,
photograph injuries, and even testify in court if necessary. They can work in hospitals,
usually in trauma or ER wards, or assist coroners and medical examiners.

18. Gastroenterology (gastrointestinal, or GI) nurses treat patients with illnesses or

disorders of the GI tract. This includes acid reflux, Crohn's disease, and cancers of the
stomach, liver, pancreas, and more. Typical duties of a GI nurse include assisting with
procedures like endoscopies, medication management, dietary education, and
administration of conscious sedation.

19. Genetics nurses care for patients who are at risk for, or are affected by, diseases or
conditions with a genetic component. Working in a variety of healthcare settings from
specialty genetics clinics and reproductive centers to hospitals and research institutions,
genetics nurses assess and analyze a patient’s risk factors for genetic diseases and provide
compassionate care and education to patients and their caregivers.

20. Geriatric nurses work with elderly patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals,
nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and more. They help this
demographic with things like maintaining functional mobility, medication management,
bedside nursing and more.

21. A holistic or complementary health nurse focuses on treating the patient as a whole
rather than merely treating individual symptoms. This certified RN takes a mind-body-
spirit approach to the practice of professional nursing and may use techniques such as
massage, acupuncture, or Eastern healing methods alongside traditional treatments.

22. Home health nursing staff are responsible for caring for patients in their homes,
performing various tasks if patients and/or their families are unable to care for themselves.
This specialty is available to RNs, LVNs/LPNs, and nurse assistants. Tasks may include
medication administration, taking vitals, wound care, assisting with mobility, and more.

23. Hospice nurses care for patients who are at the end of their lives. This includes making
them as comfortable as possible, managing their symptoms, maintaining their hygiene, and
 administering medications. They also provide important communication and support to
family and other caregivers. Hospice nurses typically work in hospitals, private homes,
nursing homes, or hospice centers.

24. Intensive care nurses, sometimes called 'Critical Care' nurses or simply ICU nurses are
a highly specialized and trained subsection of the nursing profession. With a low patient to
nurse ratio, the ICU nurse is responsible for the individual tasks and subtasks that are
involved in caring for a patient in order to stabilize their condition. Frequently, intensive
care nurses work with patients out of surgery, post-trauma, during complicated phases of
disease, and those who are transitioning to end of life care measures. ICU nurses can choose
to specialize by patient population or by affliction; common specializations include neo-
natal ICU (NICU nurse), pediatric ICU (PICU nurse), surgical ICU or medical ICU to name
but a few.

25. Infection control nurses specialize in preventing the spread of infectious agents, such
as viruses and bacteria. They work diligently to prevent and control infectious outbreaks
in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They develop plans, educate and train staff, and
implement infection control practices in order to bring the rate of infections down within a
particular facility and prevent outbreaks. They may also act as leaders and coordinators if
any outbreaks occur.

26. Infusion nurses specialize in administering medications and fluids via an intravenous
(IV) line, central line, or venous access port. They insert these lines and assist with things
like chemotherapy administration, blood transfusions, nutrition replacement/vitamin
infusions, fluid/electrolyte infusions, and more.

27. The Labor and Delivery (L&D) RN ensures the safety of both mother and baby
during the childbirth process. They work with the interdisciplinary team to bring life safely
into the world. The L&D nurse must think and act quickly while constantly assessing for
emergencies and initiating appropriate interventions. This RN may assist with caesarean
sections, initiate and monitor fetal heart rates, monitor and assist with epidurals, induce
labor, and ultimately work to find the safest and most effective ways to healthy childbirth.
The L&D RN works closely with the interdisciplinary team including obstetricians and
anesthesiologists to provide mothers and newborns with the best possible outcomes.

28. Legal nurse consultants are highly educated RNs who work as experts on cases
involving medical issues. They can work in law offices, government agencies, hospitals,
and insurance companies. Their duties may include reviewing and summarizing medical
records, serving as expert witnesses, investigating patient claims, auditing medical bills,
and more.

29. Long-term care nurses provide care for patients requiring extended care, including the
elderly, patients with disabilities and those with chronic illnesses. In addition to
 administering medication, conducting vital sign checks and performing therapeutic
treatments, long-term care nurses assist their patients in daily activities such as feeding,
dressing and bathing, as well as provide emotional support and education for patients and
their loved ones.

30. Managed care nurses evaluate the healthcare needs of patients and use specialized
knowledge of the managed care system to connect them to quality, cost-effective healthcare
providers. Often working with the elderly and low income individuals who rely on
government funded healthcare assistance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, managed
care nurses counsel patients on the importance of preventative healthcare and ensure
patients receive the consistent care they need while keeping costs low for patients and
insurance companies.

31. As the single largest population of nurses, Medical-Surgical nurses work mostly in
caring for adult patients who have an acute condition or illness, or who are recovering from
surgery. While Med-Surg nursing used to be viewed as an entry-level position for nurses
looking to gain experience after graduation and licensure, perspective has shifted
somewhat in that to be competent and effective requires mastery of so many different
specialties that med-surg has become something of a specialty in itself. Still viewed as
foundational, most nurses will find their practice greatly enhanced by a position on the
med-surg ward, regardless of where their career path takes them afterward.

32. Military nurses are RNs who serve in a branch of the military and are specially trained
to provide medical care to patients in military clinics or hospitals, or in makeshift medical
facilities near combat zones. They may care for soldiers or other military personnel,
veterans, or service members' families. Military nurses are required to make at least a three
year commitment to serve their country, but in return can receive benefits such as housing
stipends, student loan repayment, and pensions.

33. Missionary nurses work in underdeveloped and developing regions of the world, caring
for patients who otherwise would not have access to modern medicine and basic healthcare.
Often working with churches, non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups,
missionary nurses treat common illnesses and injuries, administer vaccinations and
medicines and educate patients about proper hygiene and how to prevent disease and
infection, as well as share their spiritual beliefs with local communities.

34. Nephrology nurses care for patients who have, or are at risk for, kidney problems
including Chronic Kidney Disease, kidney transplants, and other diseases and issues.
Nephrology nurses may perform dialysis, monitor patients, provide prevention information
and education, help manage symptoms, and more. They typically work in hospitals, clinics,
dialysis centers, and physicians' offices.
35. Neuroscience nurses treat patients with nervous system diseases or disorders, such as
epilepsy, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and more. They help perform physical assessments
 and neurological exams, and assist with things like mobility, physical rehabilitation, and
other tasks to help patients get back to activities of daily living. They also provide resources
to patients and families and track the healing process.

36. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses, also known as NICU nurses, care for newborn
infants who have a variety of medical ailments, including premature congenital disabilities,
cardiac malformations, dangerous infections, and more. Aside from treating these
newborns, they also train and educate families on how to care for the infant and
communicate with them regarding the infant's treatment and progress. They primarily work
in the NICU department of hospitals, although they can occasionally work in other settings.

37. Nurse administrators are high-level nurses who oversee staff in hospitals or other
medical environments. They set policies and procedures, hire and train new nurses, and
develop and maintain department budgets. This role usually reports to the hospital CEO
and is office-based rather than patient-facing.

38. A nurse advocate works on behalf of patients to maintain quality of care and protect
patients' rights. They help patients and families navigate the healthcare system and act as
a liaison between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. They play a big
role in educating patients on healthcare decisions, resources, and insurance benefits and
assist with any disputes a patient may have with their care.

39. A nurse attorney is trained as both a registered nurse and an attorney. This means that
both a nursing degree and law degree are required. Nurse attorneys may work in either
legal or medical settings doing things like reviewing medical records for insurance
companies, working with risk management departments in hospitals to ensure that
healthcare policies are followed, or lobbying for healthcare organizations.

40. Nurse entrepreneurs use their professional nursing experience and business savvy to
launch and run their own business ventures within the healthcare field. Requiring strong
business skills, creativity and a lot of hard work, becoming a nurse entrepreneur offers
nurses a unique opportunity to take control of their careers, set their own schedule and
follow their passions in the nursing field.

41. Nurse executives are highly educated RNs who also usually hold an advanced business
degree. They manage and oversee the nursing staff in medical facilities, design and manage
patient care, shape healthcare policies, create healthcare budgets, and more. Experience in
both nursing and business is necessary to succeed in the role. They work in places such as
hospitals, healthcare organizations, nursing schools, and other facilities.

42. Nurse managers are responsible for supervising a nursing unit in a hospital or clinic.
That includes direction of nursing staff, oversight of patient care and some management or
 budget decisions. In other words, instead of spending their day screening patients and
checking vitals, they are establishing work schedules, coordinating meetings and making
personnel decisions.

43. Obstetrics (OB) nurses care for female patients before, during, and after pregnancy and
childbirth. They assist an OB/GYN doctor with prenatal checkups, ultrasounds, screenings,
and can also help with the childbirthing process. In addition to this, they also assist with
other women's health issues such as birth control information, cancer screenings, and
infertility. They most often work in OB/GYN physician offices, maternity wards in
hospitals, or in birthing centers, though they can work in areas such as urgent care as well.

44. Occupational health nurses help prevent and investigate workplace ailments and
injuries. They promote safe and healthy workplaces, and look into instances of on-the-job
injuries or unsafe procedures to protect a company and ensure worker health. They may
help establish safety and security protocols for companies, tend to and document workplace
injuries and illnesses, and/or perform drug and alcohol testing, amongst other tasks.

45. Oncology nursing care is sometimes referred to as Hematology/Oncology or 'Heme/Onc'

nursing. These nurses specialize in caring for individuals who have been diagnosed with a
bloodborne cancer (like leukemia) or a solid cancer (like a tumor). Oncology nurses are the
first line of communication, care and education that patients learn to lean on as they
undergo a scary and often challenging path to remission. Working with both adult and
pediatric populations, the Oncology nurse helps patients and families track results and
studies, inform about next steps, and manage symptoms throughout treatment.

46. In every aspect of pre-surgery, intra-surgery and post-surgery, there's an OR nurse to

help navigate the process; assisting the surgical team, providing care for the patient, and
educating the patient's family. The OR nurse promotes the health and welfare of the patient
under a variety of conditions. With the promotion of a supportive, care-focused and
positive environment, the OR nurse is a valuable addition to many hospitals, doctor's
offices and clinics.

47. Ophthalmic nurses specialize in treating patients with various eye diseases and injuries.
Working directly with ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses assist with eye exams, perform
vision tests and administer medications, as well as educate patients on how to care for their
eye disease or injury at home. They may also assist with various surgical procedures and
care for patients prior to and following surgery.

48. Organ procurement coordinators are registered nurses who oversee and assist in
the process of organ transplant surgeries. They help prepare the deceased body for
transplant, help to match a donor to a recipient, and coordinate with doctors and surgeons
regarding transportation of the organ. Most coordinators are RNs who have a surgical
background and complete the Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator examination.
49. Orthopaedic nurses deal with musculoskeletal issues including broken or fractured
bones, arthritis, joint replacements, and more. They monitor patients before, during, and
after orthopaedic surgeries and assist in casting and wound dressing. Orthopaedic nurses
also help patients get on a pain management schedule and help administer pain
medications. Most orthopaedic nurses are RNs with a BSN who have passed the
Orthopaedic Nurses Certification exam.
50. Otorhinolaryngology nurses specialize in treating patients with various diseases and
injuries of the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Also known as ENT nurses,
otorhinolaryngology nurses assist with patient exams, collect samples, administer
medications and record symptoms and medical histories. They may also assist with various
surgical procedures and care for patients prior to and following surgery.

51. Pain management nurses are RNs who help to provide pain relief to patients
experiencing chronic pain due to illness or injury. They employ a wide variety of
techniques in order to achieve this, including medications, stress relief techniques,
exercise/diet changes, and more. They must constantly assess and reassess patients to make
sure they are comfortable and cared for without doing harm to them by over-medicating,
etc. Pain management nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, sports
medicine centers, and other places where patients may be seeking pain relief.

52. Palliative care nurses provide compassionate nursing care to patients with chronic or
terminal illnesses. They help patients with pain and symptom management to ensure that
they carry out their final days in comfort. These nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, and private homes, or wherever a patient requires this type of care.
They also often provide emotional support to the patient and their friends/family.

53. Parish nurses, also known as faith community nurses, are RNs who serve a parish or
other faith community, integrating faith and healing to promote health and wellness. Aside
from the necessary medical training, parish nurses must also have a strong foundation in
and knowledge of their particular faith. Parish nurses may be responsible for tasks such as
providing spiritual support to patients, mentoring volunteers or other members of their
parish, educating patients on the importance of faith in relation to health and wellness, and
starting up support groups. They can work in churches, hospitals, social services agencies,
and more.
54. Pediatric endocrinology nurses treat children with endocrine disorders, such as
juvenile diabetes, pituitary problems, and adrenal diseases. They work alongside
pediatricians to test and monitor children with these disorders, and educate patients and
parents on treatments and prevention methods, which may include lifestyle changes.
Pediatric endocrinology nurses typically work in hospitals and pediatricians' or physicians'
offices.

55. Perianesthesia nurses prep patients for surgery, but their main duty is to care for patients
coming off of anesthesia or sedation following a surgical procedure. They help to orient
 the patient, check vitals including blood pressure and respiration rate, and make sure the
patient isn't suffering from any side effects or adverse reactions from the anesthesia. These
nurses most commonly work in hospitals, in Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs).

56. Perinatal nurses care for women before, during, and after pregnancy, and help both
mother and baby for the first few weeks of the newborn's life. They educate patients and
families on things like childbirth options, umbilical cord care, and more. Additionally, they
screen and assess patients for high-risk pregnancies and perform a multitude of routine
pregnancy tests. They may work alongside a physician or nurse midwife during labor as
well.

57. Plastic surgery nurses care for patients undergoing cosmetic or aesthetic procedures.
This includes things like breast augmentation, face/neck lifts, liposuction, reconstructions
after trauma, and more. These nurses screen patients for surgery and care for them before,
during, and after the procedure. RNs in this field must be supportive and non-judgmental
as many plastic surgeries deal with enhancing body self-image.

58. Postpartum nurses provide physical and emotional care for mothers and newborn babies
following a delivery. They work in hospitals and birthing centers and often work alongside
lactation consultants and labor and delivery nurses to ensure that a new mother recovers
from the birth properly and is educated on caring for an infant. They also provide important
pain management and postpartum monitoring for the new mother.

59. Psychiatric nurses care for patients who suffer from mental health illnesses as well as
those struggling with addiction and substance abuse problems. They assess and monitor
patients, work with an interdisciplinary team including psychiatrists and social workers,
and help administer medications. Psychiatric nurses work in hospitals, medical offices,
mental health facilities, schools, correctional facilities, and in community settings where
mental healthcare is needed.

60. Public health nurses serve a community, promoting health and wellness and providing
medical services. A large part of their job is working with underserved and underprivileged
populations, providing education and resources. Public health nurses can work in local
government, such as county or city health departments, or private public-health agencies.

61. Radiology nurses care for patients who must undergo diagnostic imaging procedures
(such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs), or for those undergoing radiation therapy for certain
illnesses, including cancer. These nurses educate the patients on the need for the procedure,
prepare the patients on the day of the procedure, operate the machines, administer any
contrast dyes, and monitor the patient after the procedure. They typically work in hospitals,
diagnostic imaging facilities, or outpatient care facilities.
62. Rehabilitation nurses assist patients with disabilities, injuries, or chronic illnesses with
any personal limitations that may have arisen because of them. Their primary goal is to
help patients regain independence and functionality to the best of their ability. They can
work in outpatient or inpatient settings and may work with patients on an on-going basis.

63. Research nurses design and implement scientific studies within the healthcare field,
analyze data and report their findings to other nurses, doctors and medical researchers with
the ultimate goal of improving healthcare services and patient outcomes. A challenging
career path that requires an advanced nursing education and specialized training in research
methodology, nurse researchers make discoveries that have the potential to save lives and
change the healthcare industry.

64. Respiratory nurses, also referred to as pulmonary care nurses, treat patients with a
variety of respiratory illnesses, including asthma, emphysema, lung cancer, bronchitis, and
more. They help develop treatment plans for their patients, which sometimes includes the
use of mechanical devices to help aid breathing. Aside from caring for these patients, they
also provide education on things like smoking cessation and healthy habits.

65. Rheumatology nurses care for patients with a variety of rheumatic diseases that affect
the joints and muscles, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and more.
These nurses help patients with pain relief and symptom management. Many patients with
rheumatic diseases require on-going care and can form long-lasting relationships with
rheumatology nurses.

66. School nurses attend to the physical and mental health of children on a school campus.
They treat and assess illnesses and injuries, and alert parents and emergency services when
a health issue is severe. School nurses provide health education to students and work with
teachers, parents, and administrators to promote health in the school system. They work in
a variety of educational institutions and may travel between schools in a district.

67. Substance abuse nurses care for patients addicted to drugs, alcohol and other
substances. Trained in mental health care in addition to general nursing, substance abuse
nurses provide pain management services, education and emotional support for patients
and their families who are struggling with addiction. A nursing position that requires a high
level of compassion, substance abuse nurses have the opportunity to provide a lifeline for
patients in crisis.

68. Telemetry nurses care for patients with heart problems who have moved out of the ICU.
They specialize in monitoring the readings of electrocardiogram, or EKG, machines and
alerting the doctor to any dangerous changes. They also monitor other vital signs including
blood pressure and breathing patterns and may assist the doctor with diagnoses, treatments,
or procedures. Telemetry nurses also educate patients on cardiac health and may
recommend lifestyle or diet changes to promote a healthy heart.
69. Telephone triage nurses, also known as telehealth nurses and TTNs, provide care to
patients over the phone or via video chat. They are crucial healthcare resources for those
who may live far away from a medical facility or need help and advice after-hours.
Telephone triage nurses help to assess the patient's medical issue and refer them to the
proper line of care, whether that's home care, a physician's or specialist's office, or the
emergency room.

70. Transcultural nurses help treat foreign patients with a primary focus on care that is
culturally sensitive and inclusive. They communicate with these patients and act as a bridge
between the patient's culture and healthcare practices. Transcultural nurses must be highly
familiar with a variety of cultures and their corresponding values in order to deliver
compassionate medical care.

71. Transplant nurses care for patients who are in need of organ or tissue transplant
surgeries, as well as living donors who have volunteered to donate tissues or organs. They
prepare patients for surgery, assist surgeons during harvest and donation procedures and
provide patient education and crucial post-operative care, including monitoring for
complications such as infection or organ rejection.

72. Trauma nurses specialize in caring for patients with acute injuries or illnesses, including
accidents, assaults, gunshot or stab wounds, and more. They typically work in emergency
environments and are charged with stabilizing patients. They also document a patient's care
and may work with any law enforcement officers involved.

73. Travel nurses are RNs from various clinical backgrounds who work for independent
staffing agencies. They are assigned to different care areas on a temporary basis to fill in
short-term employment gaps. This type of nurse may work domestically or internationally,
filling in where the need arises. They perform standard registered nursing tasks, but may
need to adapt to certain challenges such as language differences or particular local
illness/disease outbreaks.

74. Wound care nurses treat patients with ostomies and serious wounds. This includes
wound debridement, cleaning, and bandaging, amongst other things. Wound care nurses
also help doctors assess whether further treatment such as antibiotics or surgery is
necessary. This type of nurse also helps care for bedridden patients who have bedsores,
people suffering from complications of diabetes, and may work in a hospital, nursing home,
or other long-term care setting.