What Career Paths Does Nursing School Offer

Have you been thinking about becoming a nurse? If you are wondering what types of work you will be able to find after your nursing school education is complete, rest assured there will be a multitude of positions for you to consider.

What kinds of patients does a nurse see?

According to the latest census figures, there are between 70 million and 80 million baby boomers in our country. Approximately 72 million were born in our country and the remainder is here as immigrants or on visas of some type. This number also may include some citizens that are not registered, are visiting family or friends or here on another purpose. When you consider this segment of the population, it is reasonable to assume you will probably find many jobs working with geriatric patients. Graduates from nursing school in the next one or two years will most likely find themselves working with older patients at some point in their career.

What other careers are available?

• Home Health Nursing is an option if you prefer to specialize in an area outside the geriatric field. Nursing school prepares students for work in hospital settings, doctor’s offices and as consultants for insurance companies. Insurance companies are hiring home health nurses more frequently to make home visits for a brief physical. In some cases, these physicals are required to follow up after surgery or qualify for life insurance. Home health nurses enjoy working outside of a normal 9 to 5 office position. They engage different people almost everyday and tend to have a more varied workday.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses attend nursing school for a longer period and usually complete a master’s or doctoral nursing degree program. The extra training allows an APRN to serve as a doctor’s assistant. These specialized nurses are able to diagnosis some illnesses, treat wounds and provide patient education. Some Nurse Practitioners (NP) choose to go into research as a career. This field is highly specialized and rewarding because many of these professionals become advocates for patients, offering people healthier, more productive lives.

• Triage Nurses work in trauma centers and emergency rooms. A triage nurse talks to patients before they see a doctor. The major role of these nurses is to determine what level of service the patients needs. In essence, a triage nurse sorts the patients by the severity of their injuries or illnesses. A person with a common cold can wait longer to see a physician than someone with a broken leg. Triage nurses are trained during nursing school to access patients; they record the patient’s medical history, take their temperature and blood pressure and make sound based on the data they collect.

A degree or diploma from a reputable nursing school can open the door to almost limitless career options. Choose your school wisely and invest the required study time to succeed. Then prepare yourself for a challenging and rewarding career in the specialty of your choice.

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