We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

What are the Different Jobs in Nursing?

By M. DePietro
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Individuals who are interested in a career in the medical field, which has many options, may want to consider nursing. There are several types of jobs in nursing working both in and out of a hospital.

For individuals who have an associate degree and are licensed registered nurses, there are several jobs within a hospital. Some nurses work in the emergency room dealing with patients that have conditions and illnesses which require urgent medical attention. For people who like a fast-paced environment, this may be a good career choice.

Nurses in hospitals also work in the intensive care units with critically ill patients. Other nursing jobs in hospitals include, working in pediatrics, the neonatal intensive care unit, and oncology.

Although hospitals employ a large number of nurses, there are many other jobs in nursing that are not in a hospital setting. Insurance companies hire nurses to complete physicals on applicants who apply for insurance polices. Schools may also employ a nurse to treat minor medical problems students may have. Home health agencies and hospice services employ nurses to provide medical care in a patient's home. Hospice nurses provide care for patients with a terminal illness.

Additional jobs in nursing that are outside of a hospital include occupational health nursing. This type of nursing job involves developing programs that help prevent job related illnesses. Nurses may also provide first aid to employees at the work site.

Nurses who have additional education can become nurse anesthetists. This career option requires a masters degree in nursing. Nurse anesthetists work in the operating room administering anesthesia during surgery. Jobs in nursing where additional education is required also include becoming a midwife. Midwives are nurses who provide prenatal care to pregnant women and may deliver a baby instead of a physician.

Keep in mind, not all jobs in nursing require direct patient care. Infection control nurses investigate and track certain infectious diseases in hospitals. Part of their job may be to help develop ways to prevent outbreaks. Nurse case managers also do not provide medical care to patients. Instead, their job is to oversee a patient with a serious medical condition and ensure their needs are being met, including obtaining services such as rehabilitation and social service support.

Many nurses may start off in one area of nursing and move into another area later in their careers. With all the jobs in nursing that are available, it may help prevent boredom and career burnout.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By robbie21 — On Jan 01, 2012

Something *else* to keep in mind if you are considering a nursing career is that some of the advanced options may be getting harder to get.

Nurses have traditionally been able to get master's degrees in specific areas and then be qualified to work as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, or a variety of different kinds of nurse practitioners (neonatal, women's health, etc.).

But starting in 2015, that may no longer be the case. At least in some states, becoming an advanced practice nurse (meaning getting access to some of the highest paying jobs in nursing) will require a doctoral degree!

It's called a Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP - it is not a research degree, but obviously it will require a great deal more schooling. It's just something that people should be aware of when they plan their careers.

By dfoster85 — On Dec 31, 2011

Something to keep in mind is that many, if not most, jobs in the nursing field require at least some degree of shift work. Nursing is not often a nine-to-five job!

For instance, when I was in the hospital for a looong time having my first baby, my first nurse went home at seven a.m. and I had a new nurse. She then worked twelve hours (!) and went off at seven p.m. Then guess who I had? The first nurse back again! She had twelve hours off and came right back to work for another twelve-hour overnight shift. Now, they might work just a few shifts a week, but it doesn't sound to me like an easy way to make a living. (On the other hand, I understand that they are paid a "shift differential" that makes those overnight shifts very lucrative.)

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.