Nursing is an ever-evolving profession with many career options for experienced and registered nurses. In fact these opportunities extend beyond the traditional settings of medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, etc.
Healthcare professionals who are not interested in becoming part of the traditional setup opt for alternative careers.
The demanding nature of the job and other factors, including nursing schedules, strenuous work, burnout, and relocation, encourage nurses to consider non-traditional job roles.
However, in the end, you must choose a specialization and career path that fits best with your future goals.
Many nurses even lack awareness about different job opportunities they can work for after becoming registered nurses.
At this point, being knowledgeable can bring promising outcomes for your career advancement and financial growth.
No worries – I’m here to share helpful insights with you.
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So I decided to put together this article all about career options for nurses.
Here are the 13 alternative career options for experienced or registered nurses.
Average Annual Salary: $122,127
Nursing facility administrators oversee healthcare facilities’ daily operations and overall management functions such as nursing homes and other related facilities.
They also handle medical supplies, staff and personnel, billing, and compliance training. Nursing facility administrators require a bachelor’s degree in nursing, health administration, or other relevant fields.
Average Annual Salary: $67,752
Nurse educators or health educators mentor the future generation of nurses. They work as faculty members in medical institutes such as nursing schools and teaching hospitals.
Nursing graduates receive proper guidance and training from nurse educators. Their job placement may vary in inpatient or outpatient healthcare facilities.
You need a Master’s degree in nursing to pursue a nurse path as a nurse educator. Some universities also demand a doctorate for this position.
Average Annual Salary: $69,792
Nurse writers or medical writers cover a vast range of topics regarding health, such as disease prevention, new developments, the latest trends in medical practices, etc.
They work for health-related publications and write articles, scripts, and books in non-traditional settings.
In addition, freelancing opportunities are also available for this career. You can become a medical writer by obtaining an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Average Annual Salary: $64,780
The role of public health nurses is crucial in educating the general public with the help of community-based intervention programs.
They improve health and safety standards in a community by raising awareness regarding diseases and their treatments.
Those who aspire to broaden their impact beyond individual patient care and influence health policies or community health practices might consider furthering their education with a Master in Public Health from institutions like UTS Online.
In general, an associate degree in nursing or a diploma program is enough to become a public health nurse. However, they receive training as registered nurses.
Average Annual Salary: $94,937
The boom in technology and access to healthcare facilities at a single click provides nurses with a remote job opportunity.
A telemedicine or telehealth nurse depends on telecommunication channels such as phone calls, video calls, messaging, and email to connect with patients.
They provide healthcare facilities to patients without visiting them. An associate or bachelor’s degree is mandatory to continue a career as a telemedicine nurse.
Average Annual Salary: $80,090
Insurance nurses deal with patients’ medical records to assess whether they are eligible for insurance claims or not.
They review treatment options, address the issues, and process the health-related insurance claims and appeals. For insurance nurses, at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing is required.
Average Annual Salary: $81,290
A nurse case manager’s job is similar to a medical social worker’s. Nurse care managers coordinate with patients, doctors, and other healthcare service providers.
They are in constant contact with the medical team for patient care and update them regarding the patient’s health condition.
In addition, they also implement and evaluate patient care plans. At least a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a prerequisite. A master’s in nursing (MSN) or other related discipline is preferred.
Average Annual Salary: $89,410
Nurses who wish to travel the world can become flight or cruise ship nurses. You can provide basic first aid and emergency medical care to onboard flight or ship members with this opportunity.
In this way, you can gain professional skills while exploring the world. Flight/cruise ship nurse requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a renewed Registered Nurse license.
Average Annual Salary: $70,068
Occupational or industrial health nurses belong to a group of healthcare experts who deliver health care facilities at the workplace.
They develop healthcare policies for workers and closely work with employers and employees to treat their health-related issues.
An associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nursing is mandatory to become an occupational or industrial health nurse. Some employers may demand a master’s degree in nursing, public health, or other related fields.
Average Annual Salary: $88,430
Nurse researchers conduct scientific research and study various aspects of health such as disorders, practices, and procedures in the healthcare industry.
They conduct clinical trials and assist patients during experimental studies. Moreover, they also assess and maintain research data. If you want to know more, here are the clinical trial requirements and how to conduct them.
Nurse researchers require a master’s or a doctorate in nursing or other health-related disciplines to continue their careers.
Average Annual Salary: $64,752
Public health nurses are all-in-all experts in handling everything from epidemics to mass immunization to public health crises to natural health disasters.
They usually perform their duties in a wide-ranging setup, including government agencies, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations.
Public health nurses require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. However, they may continue higher education such as master’s and doctorate to advance their career.
Average Annual Salary: $79,174
Forensic nurses gather and assess medical evidence of violent crimes and provide specialized medical care to the survivors.
They deliver medical aid for legal proceedings and work in law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice department.
With the help of modern investigative tools, forensic nurses uncover, evaluate, and categorize the evidence. An associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nursing is a prerequisite.
However, a master’s degree gives an applicant a competitive edge.
Average Annual Salary: $43,152
A quality & safety nurse assesses and evaluates treatment plans and documents patient medical information. They ensure the nursing standards and regulations during documentation.
Furthermore, they coordinate with multiple departments for risk management and quality patient care. This position requires an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nursing or other related disciplines.
Nurses who know the ins and outs of career opportunities are likely to choose professions aligned with their interests.
They understand all the factors that could impact their professional life in the future before pursuing a career path in a specific field.
Above all, financial stability and personal contentment play a major role in career selection.
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