While many industries are still feeling the aftershock of the devastating recession, nursing continues to boast strong growth and numerous, diverse opportunities. The specialties within the field are countless, but here are five to consider when venturing into the world of nursing. Nurses Announcements Archive Article
Registered nurses are, without a doubt, in some of the highest demand nationwide. As the need for professionals to fill these open positions continues to grow, there are a LOT of specialties that warrant some consideration. All of them demand a particular aptitude or stamina...and some of them aren't what you'd expect. Here's a snapshot of a few you might not have thought about before.
The Emergency Nurses Association says ER departments are in a great deal of need; some facilities are dealing with such a shortage of ER nurses, they're now willing to hire brand new nurses and train them on the job.
But, as you might expect, the ER is not for everyone. ER nursing is a dynamic, unpredictable job, and nurses must be able to care for patients of all ages and in all conditions. Emergency room nurses must be able to multi-task and keep their composure even in the face of trauma.
Health care is constantly evolving, and many facilities are now looking to process improvement nurses on staff to help create care strategies. RNs with the right amount of experience should keep an eye out for process nursing positions; these roles are meant for helping hospitals and clinics generate new ideas, and troubleshoot problems, in the patient care experience.
Quality assurance nursing is another high-demand category, and nurses are needed to oversee medical and legal practices in all types of facilities. This is a particularly specialized position; QA nurses must have a strong grip on laws governing Medicare and Medicaid reporting, patient record keeping and privacy practices. This position intersects with process nursing; hospitals and clinics want nurses who can conduct studies about improvement plans, educate colleagues, and make sure all employees are following all the necessary procedures.
Nurses interested in behavioral health fields can find plenty of opportunities in a variety of mental health care positions. Psychiatric nurses wear many hats, depending on what kind of facility they're working in. RNs in this field assist children and adolescents with emotional issues, substance abusers, and those suffering from a variety of mental illnesses. Those with more advanced degrees can make psychiatric health diagnoses.
Considering we're talking about in-demand specialties, it should come as no surprise that travel nurses - those who fill in at facilities experiencing shortages - is on this list. For the RN who doesn't mind a little time away from home, they can become independent contractors or sign on with a travel nursing agency. When the term of employment ends - anywhere from three months to a year - travel nurses then head to another facility, frequently in a different state. Different specialties and facilities do require certain educational qualifications and experience levels.
This is only a snapshot of the many types of opportunities available to nurses. If you're seeking other opportunities, keep in mind - allnurses is a vibrant community of professionals who can keep you informed in real-time what's going on in the field.