Career Paths in Nursing: What Works for Your Personality?

Believe it or not, nurses make up the biggest segment of all health care professionals, outnumbering physicians three to one. Nursing is also one of the largest and highest-paid occupations in the US, and those trends are expected to continue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 200,000 new registered nurse (RN) positions will be created every year through 2026.* Few professions give you as many choices of where to work, areas to specialize in, degrees to pursue, or promotion opportunities as a career in nursing. 

Whether you are new or experienced in the health care field, the options of career paths in nursing are endless. So, which nursing specialty is the right fit for you? Here is just a sampling of career paths in nursing to consider:

Relationship-driven nurse

Do you have a passion for meaningful one-on-one care? If developing close relationships with your patients is important to you, these positions might be your best fit. These career paths in nursing also offer a range of opportunities for specialization and career advancement providing direct care, managing cases, or directing, teaching, and mentoring other clinicians. 

Hospice or palliative care nurse

• A hospice nurse works as a part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary care team to provide skilled nursing, psychosocial care, patient and family education, medication and pain management, music therapy, bereavement counseling and more, giving patients and their loved ones comfort and dignity in their end of life journey. 

Home care nurse

• A home care nurse provides one-on-one care to patients in their homes. They may specialize in caring for patients of any age—from infants to the elderly—with a wide variety of diagnoses. Specialty services may include short-term recovery care, high-tech care for complex needs and serious diagnoses, as well as day-to-day preventative care and management of chronic conditions. Home care nursing typically offers very flexible scheduling options and allows the nurse to work with one patient at a time. RNs, LPNs, and those with advanced degrees or certifications may work in home care.

Psychiatric or mental health nurse

• Psychiatric nurses treat patients with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Pediatric-focused nurse

Do you love helping the littlest of patients? Have you considered a career in the pediatric field? Here are a few of the most popular positions!

Pediatric nurse

• Generally, pediatric nurses care for children from birth through adolescence. They can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, home care, physicians’ offices, rehab facilities, and more. Experience a day in the life of Pediatric Home Care nurse, Danny.

Labor and delivery staff nurse

• These nurses help bring children into the world every day. They care for women during labor and childbirth, monitoring the baby and the mother.

School nurse

• School nurses provide health screenings, dispense medication, treat minor illnesses and injuries, all while getting to know students.

Neonatal nurse

• Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty that works with newborn infants born with a variety of diagnoses such as prematurity, birth defects, or infection.

Acute care nurse

Are you energized by working in a fast paced, dynamic environment with high-pressure situations? These positions often are demanding but provide high rewards.

Critical care nurse

• A critical care nurse is responsible for ensuring that acutely and critically ill or injured patients receive optimal care.

Emergency nurse

• An emergency nurse treats patients in emergent situations where they're experiencing sudden health event, trauma, or injury. These nurses quickly recognize life threatening problems and are trained to help intervene on the spot. Work settings include hospital emergency rooms, ambulances, helicopters, urgent care centers, sports arenas, and more.

Oncology nurse

• An oncology nurse provides care for people with cancer and those at risk of getting the disease. They monitor physical conditions and administer chemotherapy and other treatments.

Staff nurse

• A staff nurse provides direct patient care in a hospital or other facility setting.

Experienced nurse leader

Do you want to help lead and shape the next generation in their career paths in nursing? Or, perhaps, you are interested in affecting systemic change at the highest levels of a health care organization. Here are a few common positions that might fit you best!

Nurse educator

• Teaching is an integral part of nursing, so becoming a nurse educator is a natural step for many nurses. Whether they work in the classroom or the practice setting, nurse educators prepare and mentor direct caregivers and future leaders of the nursing profession.

Nurse executive

• Nurse executives have the opportunity to shape the health care policies of their organizations, and oversee the procedures and resources that help their nursing staff provide the best client care possible.

Out of all the career paths in nursing, what’s your perfect fit? If meaningful one-on-one care, flexible schedules, and career advancement are important to you, consider a career in home care nursing with BAYADA. We take care to match you with clients who fit your skills, interests, and personality. Enjoy full- and part-time opportunities in a variety of areas including pediatrics, adult private duty nursing, hospice, and home health senior care.  

*https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Fact-Sheet