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As new demands arise in the healthcare industry, some specific medical fields such as nursing are beginning to evolve once again. As a result, various types of nurses are working in the sector wherever patient care demands arise. 

The industry is making nursing positions more inviting by associating them with handsome paychecks, benefits, opportunities, etc. As a result, individuals who choose to work in any nursing specialties experience job satisfaction and career growth opportunities. 

Therefore, this article aims to explore different types of nursing positions and what they entail. So if you are a person diving into the healthcare sector, the list can help you decide which option will be a good choice for you career-wise. 

Let’s get started.

1. Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Unlike any other nursing specialty, a nurse practitioner has the liberty to work in clinical expertise and health management. Like physicians, nurse practitioners can diagnose their patients and actively treat different health conditions without aid or supervision. 

Apart from that, their responsibilities include educating the patient about lifestyle changes to aid their recovery and disease prevention for the future. A nurse practitioner also plays an active role in health management, devising rules and regulations for various healthcare institutions. 

To become a nurse practitioner, you must complete a doctoral degree or a master’s degree at the minimum. You also need to have advanced clinical training that goes beyond the discipline of a simple nurse like an RN. 

Luckily for nurses already working in the field, they can enroll in a nurse practitioner online or a master’s degree to advance their career while they work.

Due to their high demand and specialized qualifications, a nurse practitioner makes between $100,000-$114,000 yearly. This aspect makes the job outlook rather inviting.

2. Registered Nurse (RN) 

One of the quickest pathways into the healthcare industry includes the job of a registered nurse. You only need a bachelor’s or an associate degree to become an RN. The job requirements of an RN include coordinating and providing for their patient, educating the patient about lifestyle and disease prevention. 

Apart from that, RN nurses also have to provide emotional support and medical advice to the patient. Typically, registered nurses accompany a physician and work as a team to provide the best healthcare services possible. 

Registered nurses can find work opportunities in many different and exciting specialties. Apart from that, their salary ranges between $60,000-$75,900, making RN a promising career option.

3. Cardiac Nurse

Cardiac diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. As cases rise, the demand for nurses who excel in cardiac care increases respectively. 

The job description of a cardiac nurse includes assisting the surgeon during invasive procedures such as bypass surgery, pacemaker surgery, or angioplasty.

Due to their demand, a cardiac nurse makes a handsome median salary of $67,490. They can find work opportunities in clinics, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, and in-home care. 

Like registered nurses, cardiac nurses also need a bachelor’s of science degree or an associate degree.

4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Suppose you find the prospect of assisting surgeons and patients during surgery by managing the patient’s pain before, registering anesthesia during surgery, and post-surgery care. In that case, this specialty is perfect for you. 

CRNA need a high level of training that prepares them for assisting surgeons during invasive procedures by helping with anesthesia administration.

To become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, you need a master’s degree in nursing and a nursing license. Apart from that, you need training and experience in an acute care setting to prepare you for this role. 

Due to the high demand of this profession, CRNA is one of the highest-paid nurses in the industry, with a  good median salary of $153,780 per year.

5. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Another type of advanced nurse practitioner is a clinical nurse specialist. Their duty involves providing patient care directly and working with other staff and nurses to provide quality healthcare services. In addition, clinical nurse specialists often take up leadership roles in healthcare facilities, and their job includes training, advising, and educating other nurses.

You need a master’s or, in some cases, a doctorate with a specific specialty to become a clinical nurse specialist. This job opportunity comes with a handsome salary of $85,723 annually and allows you to work with In-home healthcare services, clinics, hospitals, etc.

6. Critical care nurse 

Like registered nurses, critical nurses need the same educational qualifications, but their training is different. The critical care nurse training prepares them for emergencies, enabling them to take independent actions in times of crisis. 

Their training prepares them to deal with severe wounds, provide first-aid facilities, and monitor life-support in emergencies. As a critical care nurse, you are well-suited in the emergency ward of a hospital or clinic. In addition, it comes with a high annual salary median of $71,694.

7. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

A family nurse practitioner has the necessary training to provide primary medical services for people of all ages. Their responsibilities include diagnosing illnesses, providing adequate treatment for diseases, conducting physical exams, diagnostic tests, and giving prescriptions. 

A family nurse practitioner also has the responsibility of educating their patients about family health care and improving their quality of life. Teaching diseases prevention and recommending nutritional requirements according to the body’s needs are also part of their duty.

To practice as a family nurse practitioner, you need to have a master’s degree in nursing and an RN practice license. Their demand in hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices gives way to an excellent median salary of $100,910 annually. 

Healthcare professionals choose this profession to learn about the patient care demands of people of every age.

Conclusion

There are many more nursing specialties that are revolutionizing patient care and improving healthcare quality. But the most crucial aspect is that higher education such as a master’s or a doctorate enables a nurse to perform the same tasks as a physician. 

Therefore, such nurses become an essential asset in remote healthcare and play an indispensable role in improving the healthcare service quality. As a result, more people can access quality patient care services without paying the heavy medical bills, making quality healthcare accessible to patients of all classes.