Just aspiring to be in the nursing profession perks your ears up to everything regarding nursing, right? Not only have you probably read news headlines about nursing shortages in Canada, the UK, and the USA, you have formed opinions about nurses from movies and TV shows. Those who are aspiring to become a nurse know that there are many career opportunities under the nursing umbrella.
While you may get confused with the plethora of options, it’s best to look at the types of nurses that employers are interested in hiring. In addition, the following eight nursing jobs are in the highest demand. They have been identified with the help of real-time job analysis software. Here are the most sought-after nursing jobs:
1. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses, or RNs, are the nurses with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Their key responsibilities may include –
- To assist physicians in hospitals and a variety of medical settings
- To help treat patients with illnesses, medical conditions, and injuries
2. Licensed Practical Nurse
A Licensed Practical Nurse is meant to perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Licensed Practical Nurse is a great way to start your career as a nurse. The key responsibilities include –
- To administer medicine
- To check vital signs
- To give injections
3. Clinical Nurse Specialist
You either need a degree in Master of Science in Nursing or a PhD. The key responsibilities of a clinical nurse specialist who is an advanced practice nurse include –
- To diagnose and treat illnesses within the area of expertise
- To focus on patients and their families
- To focus on nurse management or administration
They are also generally looked to for counseling from the rest of the nursing staffers.
4. Nurse Practitioner
The qualification to become a nurse practitioner is either a BSN degree or an MSN degree. They generally work under the supervision of the physicians. These days, however, more and more nurse practitioners are gaining autonomy. They tend to take on many of the physician’s roles. Key responsibilities may include –
- To diagnose diseases
- To prescribe medicines
- To initiate treatment plans
You can choose this career prospect if you want more independence and responsibility. At the same time, you don’t need all of the educational qualifications of a physician.
5. Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse
The educational requirements include either ADN (associate degree) or often BSN, too. They may work in settings like –
- Intensive Care Units of hospitals
- Specialty Hospitals
- Hospitals With Patients in a Certain Age Bracket (e.g.: children in the pediatric ICU)
Key responsibilities include providing complex care to patients with very serious illnesses or injuries. Given the difficulty level of the position, most hospitals require continuing education or training before they allow an RN to work in the ICU.
6. Emergency Room Registered Nurse
An ASN or a BSN degree will suffice. You should prefer this position only if you can handle high-stress scenarios. Your skills should include finding it rewarding to be a presence of calm among the chaos. Key responsibilities may include –
- To encounter a whole lot of diverse conditions
- To stabilize patients who are dealing with traumatic injuries and events
7. Critical Care Registered Nurse
The educational qualifications needed are BSN and MSN. They mostly work in settings like –
- Hospitals
- Outpatient facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Military Units
Key responsibilities may include ensuring critically ill patients optimal care for their illness and injuries. Also, the skills include –
- In-depth knowledge of the human body
- Knowledge of the latest technology in the field
- Keen sense of the patients’ needs
8. Labor & Delivery Registered Nurse
The educational qualification required to be a labor & delivery registered nurse are a nursing diploma and ASN or BSN degree. The key responsibilities include –
- To welcome new lives into the world everyday
- To care for both the mother and the baby at the time of labor, childbirth, and after the birth
- To aid in inducing labor
- To administer epidurals
- To time contractions
- To educate the mother with breastfeeding advice after the birth
Are you interested in any of the above careers? Don’t worry; your options don’t end here. There are still plenty of types to choose from. Check out the most sought-after International Nursing Programs available here at INSCOL. A world of opportunities is open to you. It’s your time to shine as bright as the stars.
