Whether you are a new graduate seeking your first nursing job or an experienced nurse seeking a new opportunity within your current area of practice or transition into a new area, job search can be a time-consuming and challenging task. However, just a little planning will go a long way in helping you to obtain the nursing job of your choice. Before you start, one caveat is that it is generally not a good idea to discuss your job search with present colleagues as they could inadvertently mention it to your current supervisor and jeopardize your future employment with the facility.
How to Find a Nursing Job: 8 Tips for a fast nursing job search
1.Know what you want. Before you begin your job search take some time to review your career goals and the most important factors with regard to a new job. For some people, the most important consideration will be salary, for others it will be the opportunity to transition into a new specialty, while for still others the type of setting will be the determining factor. Inventory your priorities and then target only those opportunities that are aligned with this list. Targeted job search is much more effective than one based on ambiguous goals.
2. Contact employers directly
a) Depending on the type of setting you prefer, contact the human resource departments of local medical centers, physician offices, nursing care facilities, school systems, home health agencies, or corporate health departments. While it can be hard to place a cold call, this will generally be more effective than sending an email with your résumé.
b) Peruse the Web site of facilities, especially the “Careers” page for available nursing opportunities. In many cases, you will be asked to submit an online application and attach your résumé. Make sure that you have a text version of your résumé so that formatting is removed as this does not always translate correctly.
3. Use recruiters wisely. Working with recruiters can give you access to non-advertised jobs while also allowing you to apply for multiple opportunities since most recruiters will distribute your résumé to several employers. Before the recruiter begins to submit your résumé,, openly discuss your career goals and the type of work environment you prefer. In this way, the recruiter will limit the search to only those opportunities which match your preferences.
4. Surf the Net. Don’t limit your search for nursing jobs to only the major boards (e.g. Monster, CareerBuilder) but tap into nursing and healthcare job boards as well (e.g. nursingjobs.com; healthcareers.com; allnurses.com, etc.) Nursing job boards post opportunities nationwide and are an excellent resource for job-related information, such as salary surveys. While it is true that the major job boards list many nursing positions, it is also true that the competition for these jobs will be keen while there may not be as much as many job seekers perusing the niche boards.
5. Contact your school’s placement office. Your nursing school’s career center likely has a database of employers that it has established relationships with, along with a list of current job vacancies. Career centers are an excellent venue to network and obtain industry-related information (e.g. information regarding “hot” nursing careers and salary surveys).
6. Network. Everyone you come into contact with on a daily basis could be a help during your job search. This includes, family, friends, former colleagues and supervisors, the local librarian and community acquaintances. You never know who these people may know so mention your job search to everyone you come across. Many job seekers create business cards and hand them to everyone in their circle of influence and beyond. Keep in mind that hiring managers are much more likely to interview people who have been referred by a mutual acquaintance.
7. Social media is popular. Social medial sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become important tools for nursing candidates and employers to connect, even at great distances. As such, social media can be a great resource for those nurses seeking to relocate and identify ursing jobs in other parts of the country—or around the world. Join groups and participate in on-going discussions. Be sure that your contributions will provide information of value to the community. Don’t mention your job search initially but work to build a presence and develop relationships. Keep in mind the reciprocal nature of network and be ready to offer something of value to your contacts, such as links to articles they may find interesting, information on upcoming events, or a referral to someone in your circle of influence.
8. Explore all options. If you have some flexibility with regard to type of environment you wish to work, explore the many opportunities available outside of traditional hospital settings and private physician offices.
– School nurses: work in elementary, secondary schools as well as community colleges and universities. This can be a great option if you would like to have the summer off.
– Health insurance companies need nurses to review insurance claims for instances of fraud. If working a traditional schedule is important to you, then this could be a great career choice.
– Assisted living centers and retirement communities. In contrast to nursing facilities these settings are home to active seniors who often still require certain healthcare services. With the aging of the population, this is an area of nursing that will continue to offer attractive employment opportunities.
– Nursing colleges and universities that seek nursing faculty. There is a critical shortage of nursing faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels which accounts for the reduced numbers of nursing students. However, in most cases, you will need to possess at least a master’s degree to be eligible for a faculty position.
– Travel nursing offers wonderful opportunities for those who would like to combine a nursing career with travel. Most assignment last from two to nine months and are available in all areas of nursing. Most travel nurse agencies offer health benefits and sign-on bonuses, the amount of which will depend on your area of specialty, if any. This is an opportunity open to both LPNs and RNs.
18 Best Nursing Career Choices in 2022 [Infographic]
Skyrocket your Earnings with these Nursing Careers
Nursing careers will continue to flourish due to the growth of the healthcare sector. It will grow annually at 5.4% from 2018 to 2022 according to Deloitte. This is higher than the growth rate of just 2.9% from 2013 to 2017.
This article will tackle the nursing career paths that have the highest earning and growth potential.
If you are looking into being a nurse in the future, it is valuable to know as early as now what type of nurse you aspire to be.
Career progression (and the salary, too) highly depends on the education that you acquired to become a nurse.
The median salary of licensed practical or vocational nurses, whose training took only about a year or two, is lower by about $25,000 compared to that of a registered nurse.
To become a registered nurse (RN), there are several pathways:
4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
3-year hospital diploma program
2-year associate’s degree in nursing
More than passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), many of the higher-paying jobs will require further studies. Commonly it is a master’s degree and further examinations specific for the chosen field.
Going further into details, read on to learn more about the top nursing careers.
Emergency Room / Trauma Nurse
Median Salary: $75,109
Projected Growth: 16% by 2024
Requirements: Emergency care requires high levels of education and experience. After becoming an RN, obtain a master’s degree in Nursing, undergo specialized training and get certified by the Board of Certification in Emergency Nursing.
Who It Is For: If you want a lot of action, become an emergency room nurse. You should be able to work well under pressure. This is because most of the time, you will be handling injuries or trauma, some of which are life-threatening. Quick-witted and fast, you should be able to work well with the emergency physician and must understand triage. This job requires good documentation skills, too.
Not all emergency room nurses work in the emergency room of hospitals all the time. Some of them are transport nurses who care for patients while on transit to a medical facility.
Some ER nurses also work in crisis intervention centres, sports events, or transport facilities like airports.
Cardiac Nurse
Median Salary: $65,470
Projected Growth: 19% by 2022
Requirements: This nursing career requires being a Registered Nurse with at least two years of experience and 2,000 hours in cardiac care nursing before applying for certification under the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine.
Who It Is For: Cardiac nursing is for those who can work under pressure and can work well in a team.
Cardiac care nurses are the ones who provide care for patients with heart problems. They work on a myriad of diseases including coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Under the supervision of a cardiologist, they look after the patient and help with the procedures conducted to assess the patients such as an electrocardiogram test.
Travel Nurse
Median Salary: $66,000 (RN)
Projected Growth: 16% by 2024
Requirements: As the title suggests, this job requires you to travel, be assigned in understaffed healthcare units and support for a while, or be sent overseas. Usually, travel nurses work under an agency and are contractual employees.
Who It Is For: If you do not want to be confined to work in a fixed hospital setting, then, this nursing career may just be right for you.
Their tasks include recording the patient’s medical history, checking up on the patient and measuring their vital signs.
Sometimes, they go to patients’ homes and educate the family members about the patient’s condition and home care.
Dialysis Nurse
Median Salary: $67,808
Projected Growth: 26% by 2022
Requirements: This nursing career will require an RN license, 2000 hours of experience in nephrology and two years in dialysis area and passing a certification exam. In addition, you would need fifteen hours of continuing education in nephrology.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is for the compassionate ones who would need to deal with the same ill patients on a regular basis for their treatment.
Dialysis nurses are RNs who are responsible and accountable for patients undergoing dialysis. This is a procedure wherein the blood of patients with kidney diseases is cleaned through a machine. They prepare the patient and assess their condition prior to the procedure.
Dialysis nurses are also tasked to maintain the machine, prepare it for use, and recover once done using.
Surgical Nurse
Median Salary: $67,000
Projected Growth: 16% by 2024
Requirements: Being a surgical nurse will require a surgical nursing certification and license as an RN.
Who It Is For?: Surgical nurses must have good observation and communication skills as they must work with a team during surgeries.
Surgical nurses work inside the operating room with three possible roles: as a scrub nurse, as a circulator nurse, or a Registered Nurse First Assistant.
Scrub nurses work directly with the surgeon, preparing and handing over the tools and instruments.
On the other hand, circulator nurses help monitor the patient during the surgery, they bring in the patients, and create a relaxing environment for them.
The Registered Nurse First Assistant is the most trained among the three types as nurses of this type helps the doctor directly in cutting tissues, suturing wounds, and controlling bleeding.
With advanced education, this nursing career can be progressed into becoming a nurse anaesthetist or patient educator.
Oncology Nurse
Median Salary: $68,000
Projected Growth: 19% by 2022
Requirements: An RN wanting to take this nursing career path will need to have at least a year of related experience. Then, he or he must take the Oncology Nurse Certification by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is for compassionate and optimistic nurses who would have to uplift weak cancer patients.
Oncology nurses are nurses who provide nursing care to cancer patients. To treat cancer patients, oncology nurses assist in chemotherapy and radiation procedures.
Not only that, their job is to look after the cancer patients, monitor their symptoms and health condition.
They also help in educating the public, especially those high-risk, on how cancer can possibly be prevented.
Since patients of oncology nurses are potentially weakened by their illness, the job is quite emotionally and physically draining but can also be rewarding when the patients are treated.
Nurse Researcher
Median Salary: $69,000
Projected Growth: 26% by 2022
Requirements: You must be able to work with a team of other healthcare providers. Be on tip-top shape as some researches could require tough, physical conditions.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is for those with excellent technical writing skills and analytical thinking.
Nurse Researchers are those whose work is involved in clinical trials aimed to advance healthcare.
Usually, their work is to provide patient care for those who are undergoing a new treatment or taking a new medication. They work for projects commissioned by pharmaceutical companies or other health-related firms, medical laboratories or universities.
Occupational Health Nurse
Median Salary: $70,000
Projected Growth: 16% by 2024
Requirements: You must be an RN with certification from the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is for those who would be willing to be assigned away from the hospital to attend to sick employees (or as preparation for any untoward incident in the workplace).
Occupational health and safety is a top priority of many industries as a loss in manpower due to illnesses and accidents may ultimately lead to a loss in income.
Laws and regulations are also in place to protect employees against risks and hazards that come with their job. This is where occupational health nurses help companies.
An occupational health nurse’s main objective is to keep employees healthy. In case of an accident, they are also the ones who administer first aid. They monitor the health condition of employees and educate them on how to prevent illnesses and job-related injuries.
Geriatric Nurse
Median Salary: $71,000
Projected Growth: 16% by 2024
Requirements: If you want to advance in geriatrics, be prepared to be an RN, render 2,000 hours in this specialty and then, pass a certification exam.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is good for those who are patient, empathetic, and physically strong.
As the baby boomers grow old, demand for healthcare workers in nursing homes has increased over the years. The World Health Organization reports that people are living longer lives which could be beneficial to societies globally.
However, this does not mean that our elders are spared from health deterioration due to aging. Old people tend to get into more injuries that hurt themselves and even when they are careful, their bones get weaker over time. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are common in old patients, too.
Obstetrics Nurse
Median Salary: $73,000
Projected Growth: 26% by 2020
Requirements: Due to the high risk that nurses in this field face, training and certifications are stricter. After being an RN, an aspiring obstetrics nurse shall render 2,000 hours of experience in this field. Immediately after, he or she can apply for certification by passing the Obstetric Nursing exam from the National Certification Corporation.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is good for those who are committed to working with pregnant women. He or she must be patient.
Obstetrics nurses, or OB-GYN nurses, assist in the labor of expectant mothers and in the delivery of the babies. They also help in treating gynecological diseases.
The routine work involves common tasks of an RN but the goal of an OB-GYN nurse is more specialized. It is their duty to keep both mother and baby healthy before, during, and even after the pregnancy.
They also educate women about reproductive health.
Informatics Nurse
Median Salary: $73,000
Projected Growth: Up to 26% by 2022
Requirements: Registered nurses who wish to take this nursing career path must complete a master’s degree in Health Informatics, Health Care Management or Quality Management.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is good for those comfortable with computers.
An informatics nurse’s line of work is not limited to nursing per se, but it extends to the high level of information management. This is required in order to maintain patient records and ensure quality management.
With the use of software, computer programming, data science, and other related technologies, and informatics nurse sees to it that data are effectively communicated to end-users in a fast, comprehensible way.
At the same time, technology advancements like the ones that informatics nurses develop help in boosting productivity and cost.
He or she also makes sure that information is available for those who need access.
A reliable information database that informatics nurses maintain can ease decision-making which is significant in life-threatening situations.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $87,000
Projected Growth: 19% by 2022
Requirements: To become one, an RN must be able to render sufficient hours prior to getting the certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
Who It Is For: If you like young children, then, this nursing career can be a good fit for you.
As the population continues to grow, health care for children becomes in demand, too.
Pediatric nurse practitioners work hand in hand with pediatricians in ensuring good health of young patients.
Working in pediatrics, it is the nurse who administers shots, prepares young patients in medical procedures, and conducts check-ups.
Additionally, their role includes educating the child and his family on proper nutrition and disease prevention.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $92,000
Projected Growth: 35% by 2024
Requirements: To become one, an RN should study family nursing practice in a master’s degree specializing in this field.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is for those that are flexible and can relate well to patients of all ages.
A family nurse practitioner is also an RN who, guided by a doctor’s diagnosis, can treat illnesses and prescribe medications.
They accommodate a wide range of cases from pediatrics to geriatrics. They observe patients, order laboratory tests, and assists in minor surgeries.
This position also has common functions with a physician, and so, they can work independently.
Some put up their own clinics and see patients, more like a family doctor.
With this, family nurse practitioners also advise patients and families of a holistic approach in curing and preventing diseases. This includes such advice as to diet adjustments and habit changes.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Median Salary: $93,000
Projected Growth: 25% by 2024
Requirements: To become one, an RN must continue with a master’s degree and render at least two years of experience in a midwife setting. Following this, work on the certification from the American College of Nurse-Midwives Council.
Who It Is For: This is for nurses who welcome challenges and adrenaline rush that come with every labor and delivery.
A certified nurse midwife’s role starts from the moment that a pregnant mother comes for regular prenatal visits, up until the time that the mother has delivered the baby.
He or she must be on call to assist when the patient goes into labor.
Sometimes, a certified nurse-midwife establishes her own clinic, but oftentimes, she works with gynecologists and obstetrics physicians in a hospital setting.
She provides counseling, assists in the delivery, and provides postpartum care. She must be well-versed in mother and child health care.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $98,000
Projected Growth: 31% by 2022
Requirements: This nursing career is a type of advanced nursing. Two years of experience being an RN will be required to be accepted into a master’s degree. After completing the graduate program, nurses will then complete a thesis related to neonatal care. Check out the laws in your state, additional licenses may be required.
Who It Is For: This is for nurses who have a lot of patience and affection in taking care of babies.
The neonatal nurse practitioner works in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This is where pre-term babies, or babies born with problematic health conditions stay after birth and assessment.
In the NICU, they take care of the baby by administering medications, doing kangaroo care, soothing the baby, and even changing the diapers.
Aside from looking after the baby, they also provide support to the family by updating them of the treatments and educating them about how they can better take care of the baby once discharged from the hospital.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $99,000
Projected Growth: 19% by 2022
Requirements: An RN must also study further to have a master of science in nursing or, preferably a doctorate in nursing practice. These centres provide certifications: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN); and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Who It Is For: This is for those who want an adrenaline rush.
This nursing career mostly deals with addressing severe injuries and trauma for a short period of time.
Apart from routine nursing activities like checking on the patient’s condition and symptoms, acute care nurses administer medications, insert intravenous fluids, and prepare the patients for operations.
An acute care nurse practitioner must be well-versed in emergency care and life support since many acute care patients are in severe health conditions.
Most acute care nurse practitioners specialize in one field, may it be geriatrics or cardiac care.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Median Salary: $102,000
Projected Growth: 5% by 2024
Requirements: This requires a master’s degree or higher, with specialization in psychiatric nursing.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is perfect for those with great communication and observation skills, extreme focus, and a lot of patience.
There is a rising need for psychiatric nurse practitioners as more patients are now seeking mental health care.
In the US alone, about a quarter of adults have mental health problems according to estimations.
With more people seeking professional help, the healthcare sector will also need more nurses working in this sector.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners work alongside psychiatrists in evaluating patients and administering treatments.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Median Salary: $144,000
Projected Growth: 25% by 2022
Requirements: Ideally, he or she must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing who will go on to complete a master’s degree, specializing in anesthesia. A master’s degree would require a full year of clinical experience. Additionally, being an RN in Critical Care would be an advantage.
Who It Is For: This nursing career is fit for those with attention to detail and good communication skills.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist is a type of advanced practice registered nurse.
Working hand in hand with anesthesiologists, CRNAs are usually in charge of pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative care of patients.
They check the physical state and review the medical history of the patient. They are also the ones who prepare and administer the anesthesia.
INFOGRAPHIC: BEST NURSING CAREERS 2019
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There you have it!
Nursing careers are greatly varied as you can see in the list enumerated. But, as in any profession, each specialization has different demand and supply levels which affect the salary.
Additionally, there are factors affecting the salary of nurses such as location, shifting, and experience.
Taking up a nursing career should not be just about the money you will make. More than the salary, remember why you chose the profession.
Was it because you want to serve people? Was it because of personal advocacy?
Because at the end of the day, only the passionate ones who find satisfaction in their chosen nursing career stay and persevere.
Nursing Salary Guide in 2022
Section 1: Introduction to Nursing Career & Salary
Nurses play an important role in the healthcare industry. Not only do they work hand in hand with doctors, but they also spend ample time with patients helping them take their medicine, cleaning them, and providing crucial support in recovery.
With the demand for healthcare services rising, employment opportunities for nurses have also risen. In particular, the demand for employees with nursing skills was projected to rise by 7% between 2019 and 2029. This is among the fastest growth rates for any occupation in the US.
Besides the promising job outlook, nursing is quite a rewarding field to serve in. With professional nursing skills, it is possible to make a difference in the community. Let us take a look at the guide for nurse salary
Nursing Salary
With no end to demand in sight, salaries for practicing nurses have been rising all along. And this trend is expected to remain so until 2026 and even beyond according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The latest data indicates that the average salary of a Registered Nurse (RN) in the US is $73,300. However, the median annual wages for these professionals vary from one industry to the next as shown below.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Based on the data appearing on the chart above, RNs who work
in government hospitals take home an average of $78,390 while those who work
for educational service institutions generally earn the least at an average of
$61,850.
With advanced education, experience and a Master’s Degree in Nursing, nurses are eligible to work as either Nurse Anesthetists or Nurse Practitioners. In general, the pay for Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Practitioners is higher than the one for Registered Nurses (RNs).
But once again, the pay for Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Practitioners varies from one industry to the next as indicated in the chart below.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Referring to the data appearing on the chart above, Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetists earn the best salaries at State, local, and private hospitals ($120,540) and the least when working for educational services ($104,310).
That said, Nurse Anesthetists earn more than Nurse Practitioners. The former pocket $167,950 while the latter take home $107,030 on average per year.
Section 2: RN Career Outlook & Salary by State
Registered nurses are healthcare professionals with a nursing license and are extensively trained in nursing. There are so many types of nurses but they are not always registered or certified. An RN has expansive medical knowledge and hands-on training.
What Do RNs Do?
First of all, registered nurses are not limited to working in hospital settings only. They can also work in homes, clinics, assisted living facilities, schools, and more.
So, what exactly do they do? Their duties often depend on
the patients they work with and where they work.
However, they also assess patients’ conditions, record their
medical histories and observe them. Registered nurses also administer medicines
and treatments, teach patients how to manage their illnesses and help conduct
diagnostic tests.
More importantly, they consult and work with doctors or other health specialists. Some RNs also oversees nursing assistants, home health aides, and licensed practical nurses. Last but not least, they monitor and operate medical equipment.
Education Requirements & Qualifications Needed
A high school diploma is one of the essential prerequisites
for becoming an RN. Besides, coursework in mathematics, biology, English, and
psychology is important.
Commonly, there are three main academic paths to becoming a
registered nurse. One route is to obtain a diploma in nursing. Diploma program
generally takes three years and are offered by hospitals.
One can also become an RN by obtaining a Bachelor of Science
degree in nursing (BSN) or an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). It takes two
years to complete the ADN program. Once completed, you become eligible to take
the registered nurse licensing examination.
Most aspiring nurses choose to pursue the BSN program after completing high school which takes four years. After completing any of the above programs, the next step is to pass the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Career Outlook
With the baby boomer population retiring from the workforce, the demand for RNs is only going to increase. The employment of RNs is projected to grow by 15% compared to other occupations between 2016 and 2026 according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
This growth will be a result of increased rates of chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes. Demand for better healthcare services from the aging population will also see the demand for RNs increase.
(Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary)
Section 3: Nurse Anesthetists’ Career Outlook & Salary by State
Also referred to as certified registered nurse anesthetists
(CRNA), they are advanced practice nurses that administer anesthesia. They do
this under the oversight of a dentist, anesthesiologist, podiatrist, surgeon
and other qualified healthcare experts.
What Do CRNAs do?
For starters, they administer anesthesia for all types of conditions from the simplest to the most complex surgeries. In addition, CRNAs offer care before, during, and after anesthesia. They also examine patients’ medical histories for illnesses or allergies to ensure the safe provision of anesthesia.
Additionally, it is their responsibility to discuss any side
effects of the anesthesia with the patients. On top of that, a nurse
anesthetist performs nerve blocks, epidural and spinal blocks. More
importantly, they are taught to identify emergency cases and can initiate
resuscitation.
Education
Requirements & Qualifications Needed
For starters, nurse anesthetist programs often require
applicants to have attained an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher especially in
science courses. The science courses include physiology, chemistry, statistics,
human anatomy, and microbiology.
On top of that, you’ll need to become an RN by pursuing a
Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to this, you’re required to have at
least one year of experience in an acute care setting. Next, you should pursue
a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia program which will take you 24-36 months.
After graduating with a master’s degree, the next step is to
take the national certification exam so you can begin your practice. Above all,
you will have to acquire a valid RN license.
Career Outlook
According to the latest data from BLS, job opportunities for
CRNAs are expected to grow by 31% between now and 2026. This is much faster
than the expected average growth of most occupations. Therefore, this career
holds great prospects for anyone who has what it takes to pursue the practice.
Apparently, the growth will occur mainly because of the increased emphasis on preventive healthcare. An increase in the aging population will also contribute greatly to the growth.
(Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary)
Section 4: Nurse Practitioners’ Career Outlook & Salary by State
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who hold advanced degrees. They hold either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Their role, however, greatly differs depending on the state where one practice.
For instance, some states require their NPs to work under
direct supervision or in collaboration with a doctor. On the other hand,
certain states permit them to work independently.
What Do NPs do?
The duties of nurse practitioners largely depend on an
individual’s specialization as well as the state in which they practice.
Nonetheless, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, NPs
offer acute and specialty healthcare services.
Also, they are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses,
order or perform diagnostic tests, and perform physical evaluations. They can
also prescribe medication and create individualized treatment plans much as
physicians do.
Education
Requirements & Qualifications Needed
As an aspiring NP, you’re required to complete high school
coursework in algebra, chemistry, and biology. It may also be important to take
anatomy, statistics, and psychology if available.
Having completed high school, the next step is to become a registered nurse by pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing. Next, you will need to get at least one year of experience in your area of interest like oncology or acute care.
After becoming an RN, you are required to enroll in an MSN
program. This program takes a minimum of two years to complete and is quite
intensive. Last but not least, you will have to get an advanced practice
nursing licensure and certification so you can start working as an NP.
Career Outlook
Overall, nursing is already a fairly stable career. However,
becoming a nurse practitioner can provide you with even more job security.
Because of the aging population, the need for primary healthcare is expected to
greatly rise over the next couple of years.
The BLS projects that NP jobs will increase by a whopping
31% between now and 2026. Compare that to an increase of 15% for RNs, and an
average of only 7% for all occupations in the country.
(Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary)
Section 5: Factors Affecting Salary & Summary
With job outlooks for the nursing career looking quite
promising, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most stable careers in the
country. However, not all nurses earn huge salaries. Here is a discussion of a
number of factors that affect nursing salaries.
Level of Education
If you only have an Associate Degree, you’ll earn less than
someone with a BSN working in the same institution. The more educated you are,
the more you earn. And that explains why postgraduate degree holders who work
as Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetics earn more than RNs. Case in point,
nurse anesthetists in California take home an average of $133,780 as compared
to RNs who pocket $106,950.
Experience
Just as is the case with other professions, the more experienced you are as a nurse, the more you’re likely to earn. The seniority-type scale also tends to favor those who work for particular organizations the longest.
Work Shift
Nurses who work during the “graveyard shift” i.e. 11 pm to 7 am are typically better paid than those who work during normal shifts. This, however, is not cast in stone. It’s just that generally, most employees tend to slightly vary their pay rates depending on the desirability of the work hours.
State
The state one lives in can affect their salary levels. It is
important to keep in mind the fact that the cost of living varies from one
state to the next. For example, RNs in California are paid an average of $51.42
per hour while their counterparts in South Dakota take home an average of
$28.05.
Indeed, many of the highest-paying states are also characterized by high costs of transportation, housing, and food. On the contrary, a vast majority of the low-paying states are places where the costs of basic necessities are also generally low.
Metropolitan & Cities vs
Nonmetropolitan Areas & Rural Areas
Nurses in metropolitan areas earn more due to the high cost of living in urban centers than in rural areas. For instance, nurses in the San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco metropolitan area in California earn an average hourly wage of $67.16. That’s close to 72.8% higher than a nurse providing similar services in the best-paying non-metropolitan region of Mother Lode still within California.
If you are looking for a rewarding career that comes with lots of room for growth, consider training to become a nurse. Regardless of where you live or your preferred area of specialization, this career field can provide you with plenty of advancement opportunities.
It’s our hope that our detailed data breakdown at the national, state and industry levels will help you get a clearer picture of what this vast career line has in store for you both today and in years to come.
Top 7 Nursing Trends of 2022
From resolutions to new trends, the start of every new year brings new things. This article highlights 7 nursing trends of 2019. Whether you are a travel nurse or a permanent nurse, these 7 nursing trends of 2019 are things that can benefit you.
7 Nursing Trends of 2022:
Nursing jobs will continue to rise
The nursing job outlook is expected to grow by 15% during a 10-year period from 2016 – 2026. This means for every nurse, they will have plenty of opportunities.
The nursing shortage will continue to rise
Schools are turning away thousands of qualified applicants as they struggle to expand class size and hire more teachers for nursing programs.
Hiring bonuses will continue to grow
From sign-on bonuses to travelers to free housing and tuition bonuses being given by hospitals, there are plenty of benefits for nurses and their children. Hospitals and other medical facilities are getting so desperate to recruit and retain nurses they’re offering all sorts of pricey perks and incentives.
Nurses will gain more education
There will be more demand for nursing specialties. For nurses to gain more specialties, they will need more education. This article by Nursing Education states that nurses with BSN degrees will jump from 50% to 80% by 2020 and nurses with a doctoral degree will double from now to 2020.
Nurses will reap the benefits of a nurse compact license
This is good news for nurses making it easier than ever to use your home state’s nursing license to get a promising job across state lines.
Nurses will retire at a later age
The shortage of nurses is having an impact on new and existing nurses. Nurses can stay on past a normal retirement age and their jobs are secure. With advances in healthcare, nurses themselves are living longer, healthier lives when they care for their bodies, allowing them to work to a later age.
Technology advances will continue
As stated in our future trends in the nursing industry last year that technology will continue to grow and shape the healthcare industry. It’s important for nurses to be familiar with each of the programs that are used in the facility they are working in.
The 20 Nursing Career Specialties : Demands, and Salaries
The nursing field has seen explosive growth in recent years, and this should continue for the foreseeable future. If you are intrigued by a career in nursing, you will likely find a specialty in this list.
20 Nursing Career Specialties
Neonatal Nurse
This specialty works with premature babies, most often in an intensive care setting. They provide extensive care for premature infants who usually have a variety of health problems.
Career Path: BSN, Master’s Degree, Specialized training/experience with neonates
Job Demand: will increase by 17% by 2022.
Average salary: $65,000
Nurse Midwife
This specialty is a type of advanced practice registered nurse who provides and coordinates patient care for mothers and expecting mothers.
Career Path: Many experiences as a nurse, Master of Science degree in nurse-midwifery.
Job Demand: will increase by 31% by 2022.
Average Salary: $79,000.
Clinical Nurse
This specialty treats patients who have more serious health problems in most cases. They usually work in the hospital in a clinical setting.
Career Path: BSN, MSN, Specialized, Clinical Nurse Training
Job Demand: will grow by 20% by 2022
Average Salary: $67,000.
Critical Care Nurse
This specialty works most often in the intensive care unit or ICU.
Career Path: BSN, Worked at least 2 years in ICU.
Job Demand: will grow by 16% by 2022
Average Salary: $61,000
Dialysis Nurse
This specialty works with patients who have kidney problems and who must receive dialysis on a regular basis so that they can survive.
Career Path: BSN, Take classes in dialysis specifically nephrology and pharmacology.
Job Demand: at least 19% by 2022
Average salary: $64,000
Nurse Practitioner
These professionals work under the eye of a doctor, and they do patient exams, diagnose various illnesses and prescribe drugs.
Career Path: BSN, MSN and several years experience in the field
Job Demand: at least 25% by 2022
Average Salary: $94,000
Health Policy Nurse
This specialty works at an administrative level in various public and private organizations to come up with policies that will make people in society healthier.
Career Path: BSN, MSN, Worked in the field for years, Specialized field by participating in a health policy residency
Job Demand: at least 17% by 2022
Average Salary: $66,000
Nurse Anesthetist
This specialty provides anaesthesia to patients who are going into surgery. They also help manage patient care in the OR, and they provide follow up care for many procedures that are done on an outpatient basis.
Career Path: BSN to RN (at least 2 yrs experience), MSN in Nurse Anesthesia, Work in acute care, such as an ICU or ER
Job Demand: will grow by 22% by 2022
Average Salary: $154,300.
Informatics Nurse
This specialty collects, interprets and analyzes important medical data that comes into a health facility every day. They also train other nurses in the hospital on any new technology that is being introduced.
Career Path: BSN to RN (years of experience), Take classes in Informatics Nursing
Job Demand: Growth in this field is probably not as high as nursing overall
Average Salary: $83,000
Nurse Educator
This speciality teaches other professionals to become nurses.
Career Path: BSN to RN, MSN, May need a doctorate in Nursing.
Job Demand: will grow by 19% by 2022
Average Salary: $65,000.
Nurse Advocate
This specialty represents the interests of the family and the patient in a clinical care setting.
Career Path: BSN to RN (years of experience), Continuing education classes in social and financial matters related to health care. Then you need to be employed as a nurse advocate and possibly become a consultant.
Job Demand: will grow by 19% by 2022
Average Salary: $57,000.
Nurse Researcher
This speciality works closely with various medical organizations and research organizations to do clinical studies related to health.
Career Path: BSN and MSN, Doctorate in nursing (Often required). Experience or training in clinical studies
Job Demand: will increase by 26% by 2022
Average Salary: $90,000.
Pain Management Nurse
This speciality is a type of advanced nursing and helps the patient to not become addicted to narcotics. They work with the patient to determine what is causing the pain and then works with other medical professionals to determine the best course of treatment.
Career Path: BSN to RN (years of experience at least 2000 hours related to nursing pain management)
Job Demand: at least 19% for all nurses by 2022
Average Salary: $67,000.
Psychiatric Nurse
This speciality has a high degree of expertise in mental health, crisis intervention and therapy that they use to help patients deal more effectively with mental illness.
Career Path: BSN to RN, Education in mental health and experience in the field.
Job Demand: Over 20% by 2022 in this profession
Average salary: $65,000.
Trauma Nurse
This speciality usually works in ERs, trauma facilities, and urgent care centers. This is a high demand, high-stress profession, and it is not for every personality.
Career Path: RN to BSN, Years working in a trauma center or ER, Obtain emergency nursing certification.
Job Demand: at least 20% growth in this field by 2022
Average Salary: $65,000.
Travel Nurse
This speciality usually works for a nursing or health care agency that covers a certain area of the US, or possibly the entire country. They provide nursing services to hospitals and medical facilities to fill a short-term need.
Career Path: BSN to RN, at least 2 years experience working in one or two facilities.
Job Demand: at least 20% growth by 2022
Average Salary: $70,000, and the employer will pay benefits usually as well as a housing allowance.
Pediatric Nurse
This speciality works with young children, most often in a clinical or intensive care setting. They provide children with specialized care.
Career Path: BSN and some master’s degree. You need specialized training or experience working with children.
Job Demand: at least 19% by 2022
Average salary: $65,000.
Geriatric Nurse
This speciality is trained to work specifically with the elderly and to handle the challenges that these types of patients have.
Career Path: BSN to RN, Special training in working with elderly patients.
Job Demand: at least 20% by 2022
Average Salary: $65,000.
Public Health Nurse
This speciality generally focuses on preventative medicine. They primarily educate people about health issues and try to improve community health before people get sick.
Career Path: BSN to RN. Experience or training in PHN. Possibly earn a master’s degree.
Job Demand: At least 20% by 2022
Average Salary: $66,000.
Oncology Nurse
This speciality works one on one with cancer patients in a hospital, clinical care center or even at home.
Career Path: BSN and be a practising nurse for several years. Eventually, earn a certification in oncology nursing, and MSN.
What Is an Insurance Nursing Job? There are basically two kinds of nursing jobs that can work out of insurance companies, and one of these can even work from home telecommuting. They include the RN Practitioner for Health Plan and Insurance Assessments, and the case manager for an insurance company.
In case you were wondering, you must be a registered nurse (RN) first in order to apply for either job.
How Do I Make RN?
Once you’ve passed high school and shown your excellent math and biology/chemistry skills (and if you don’t excel in these, do NOT take up nursing), head for college to sharpen these very same attributes of yours in advanced classes. After a year or so, sign up for a Nursing Program (you can pre-register and take preliminary classes as early as high school, by the way).
You are looking to achieve not only an RN but a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) or, better still, an MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing degree), which will make you even more attractive to the insurance company. An MBA with a nursing background would be a gold mine for them, so if that is your bent, by all means pursue it.
Once you have completed the 4 to 6 years necessary for the MSN (and this will include up to 4,000 of supervised clinical hands-on experience), you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. And of course, complete your Master’s degree in thesis and exams.
Now About Those Nursing Jobs With Insurance Companies–?
So now you’re an RN with a BSN or MSN; in other words, you can get a job in this field. So let’s talk about the telecommuter first (be aware that, even though you work from home, you should be within driving distance of one of the insurance company’s branch offices).
The Case Manager (Critical Claim Review) Nurse
Don’t let the humble title fool you; this individual is usually listed as a Critical Claim Review Nurse. Because she works from home, her position seldom requires a security clearance. She will be in charge of reviewing medical claims from insurance customers with diseases, conditions, injuries or related misfortunes of a medical nature.
The Critical Claim Review Nurse is a contract hire, who must be able to disseminate, over the phone if necessary, information about services the company offers and rates of payment.
Many of these claims will receive system-generated denials; that is not, however, the end of the case, as the CCRN must review them thoroughly in the event of a claims reconsideration (which can be requested by the patient, the agent or even the company). She then forwards unresolved cases to field medical directors with her recommendations, completes patient reviews and forwards them to the Insurance Company’s Transactions department.
Her job, like that of many other registered nurses, shows a favorable outlook from the Bureau of Labor/Statistics. A projected 21-27% growth over the next ten years, and a salary of around $60,000 (some are paid hourly, average wages $31-$43).
The Registered Nurse Practitioner—Health Plan/Insurance Assessments
The RN for Health Plan Insurance Assessment usually must have at least 3 years medical experience in addition to the MSN, and a license in good standing. Like the CCRN, she is a contract hire who conducts in-person health plan assessments with prospective and actual clients (whose medical conditions may have changed since purchasing the policy). This is a traveling job, in that the RN goes to clients’ homes.
She must be able to relay all relevant health information to the company agents, as well as conduct interviews and record information at the same time (excellent typing/stenographer skills are a plus). She must be a licensed and insured driver, with professional liability insurance, and must provide her own vehicle.
Her job is also “favorable” in outlook from the BLS, a projected 21-27% growth over the next ten years, and a salary of around $55,000 (some are paid per assessment, average wage $100-$115).
So, you’ve seen the two major Nursing Jobs with Insurance Companies. Do they insure your career and future any better?
Hottest Masters in Nursing Jobs
While 14 million Americans are out of work, nurses enjoy great job security. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts a need for more than one million new and replacement Registered Nurses by 2020, and online master’s degree programs in nursing are an excellent choice for students. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) calls this a “health care crisis,” and the agency is working with schools, policymakers, and the media to bring attention to the problem. While Registered Nurses report great job fulfillment, their counterparts with Master’s degrees report even greater job satisfaction.
They can also make up to twice the average Registered Nurse (RN) salary.
Thinking about kicking your career up a notch by getting a Masters’s degree in nursing? With the option of online degrees, you do not have to go to a traditional brick-and-mortar school. There are 63 online schools nationwide that offer Masters degrees in nursing; students range from the new RN seeking expansion to the experienced nurse wanting to get into management, consulting, or education positions. You are almost guaranteed to find work when you finish, as the Institute of Medicine’s “Future of Nursing” report calls for doubling the population of nurses with graduate degrees. Best of all, you choose the pace at which you learn: some accelerated nursing master’s programs will get that Masters’s degree in nursing in your hands in as little as a year.
Here, a look at some of the hottest job choices for nurses with Master’s degrees: Nursing Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, and Nurse Practitioner.
Jobs That “Miraculously Open Up” in Nursing
– Nursing Leadership and Management:
Those who choose a Master’s degree in Nursing Leadership and Management have jobs such as staff developer or health administrator in schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They may be nursing managers, planning and implementing policies and procedures for a unit. Many maintain nursing staff by hiring and training. They may still provide patient care, and they are responsible for assessing and evaluating patients. According to salary.com, those with a Master’s degree in Nursing Management make between $71,000 and $110,000. By way of comparison, the average salary of an RN is $57,200. Jobs are plentiful: Online Nursing Degrees writes that “Nursing Leadership and Management jobs have miraculously opened up in almost every area of health care and at every level.”
– Nursing Education:
One of the careers for people with a Master’s degree in Nursing Education is to provide visionary education for future nurses. They inspire, motivate and mentor. They implement research-based “best practices” in the classroom while teaching such things as policy, organization, role development, and advanced nursing practices. Nursing Education majors may also be involved with patient care.
– Nurse Practitioners
There are many career paths open for the Nurse Practitioner. In addition to the regular nurses’ training, Nurse Practitioners choose “specialties” for themselves, in areas such as pediatric, adult, geriatric, and mental health. The education required to enter the field depends on the specialty, but a Master’s degree is the minimum requirement. Nurse practitioners also must pass a stringent Board Certification Exam. This career opened up in the 1960s,in response to a shortage of doctors. Today, they work independently and collaboratively on the healthcare team. They may also engage in patient advocacy activities.
Nursing: The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Expanding your nursing career will almost certainly bring greater job satisfaction and more money. Today, with online Master’s degrees in nursing, you can finish that advanced degree in as little as a year. So give yourself the gifts of job fulfillment and more money: look into online Master’s degree programs in nursing today.
Men in Nursing
Male Nurse Stereotypes and Discrimination Ben Stiller in the movie Meet the Parents encountered most of the stereotypes and discrimination cast at male nurses today. He was regarded as a man trying to succeed in a woman’s profession, which made him, at least in his detractors’ eyes, unsuccessful.
He was a fictional character, but his dilemma is real; many sectors of society still regard male nursing as the wrong profession for a man. Men have been nursing since the days of Christ (St. Bartholomew and St. John both tended the sick); Gallic warriors nursed their own wounded; African male slaves nursed troops in the Civil War. Despite all this, 40 years ago, male nurses were usually prevented from examining a woman, or observing her delivering a baby. Even today, most nursing classes still salt their terminology with female pronouns.
Make no mistake, the lingering stereotype is still there, despite the fact that over 5.4 percent of the two million RNs in the United States are male, and about 13% of the enrollees in nursing schools are men. Minority men are equally frowned upon by some factions. Education and changing hearts and minds seems to be the answer, and, like the gay population is discovering in today’s society and the African American population realized in the sixties, change in attitudes can be effected over time.
Meanwhile, sign up for that nursing program, gentlemen! Here’s how:
How to Become a Male Nurse
Make sure you are admitted to a progressive nursing school that supports males in the profession. Male faculty members and male students should be in evidence; admission personnel should be open about campus attitudes, especially in terms of clinical experiences in local hospitals.
If you do experience a problem, make staff aware of it immediately.
Be aware that women will continue to dominate the nursing profession, so make sure you professional, courteous and relatable to both genders. And just hang in there, because there still a social jealousy about male nurses being specifically involved in female health (particularly in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics).
Finally remember, a patient who is sick or in pain just wants a nurse. He or she doesn’t want a gender introduction, stereotype discussion or rant, just pain relief and treatment. And if you win your patient over with your skills and bedside manner, score one for the men’s side in nursing.
Grants and Scholarships for Male Nursing Students
There are literally hundreds of online grants and scholarships available for nurses, and the applications and selection process are by law non-discriminatory and accepting of candidates of either gender. Some examples include:
Education Start offers nurses of either gender who are already enrolled in a nursing program $12,000 scholarships ($3,000 awarded quarterly) based on need and level of academic achievement.
SGNA RN General Education Scholarship provides $2500 annually to full-time students who are working toward their RN license.
Barry and Julia Smith Family Nurse Scholarships offer $1,000 annually to full-time students working toward a hospice or end of life career.
There is only one organization that offers scholarships specific to male applicants:
The American Assembly for Men in Nursing offers the John R. Murray and the Jadah Marselis Moore scholarships, awarded for essays whose topics are specific to experiences in the nursing profession; this appears to be a possible way to take a discriminatory situation in your scholastic career and turn it into funding.
Other possible grant/scholarship resources include the National Coalition of Ethnic and Minority Nurse Associations, National Association of Hispanic Nurses and National Black Nurses Association.
Male Nurse Jobs and Salaries
The Bureau of Labor/Statistics indicates that RNs and Nursing specialties in either gender are growing quickly—a low ballpark figure of 9% job growth vs. a somewhat more balanced possibility, 20% and higher, for the years from 2013 to 2018. Numerous websites throughout the internet, such as Hire.com and simplyhired.com list hundreds of male nurse jobs.
Finally, there is a piece of good news; it is possible male nurses are being paid more than females. The average salary for a male RN is $65,000-70,000; for a female, it usually averages $60,000.
So, men, bear up under that stereotype, and realize that Men in Nursing have a place in the medical world!
Highest Paying Nursing Jobs
We know, you want to get to the money. Everybody does; however, you should realize that the highest paying nursing jobs may not necessarily be the jobs you are best acclimated to, or most suitable for. That said, we can tell you that there are two kinds of “highest-paying” jobs in nursing: management (where you’re in charge of patients and other nurses) and non-management (where patients are your sole concern).
Highest Paying Non-Management Clinical Nursing Jobs
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): this position needs an advanced RN (registered nurse) who specializes in the research paradigm. She should be able to read, understand, select and utilize medical information from all sources and extrapolate nursing theory and practices from it. In addition she may act as patient and facility advocate, liaison, educator and occasional manager (it is difficult to get away from this model, even in non-management, so be aware it is a frequent requirement to be a “manager in training”). The CNS is trained in a particular specialty, such as AIDS/HIV patients or cancer patients (which would require a CNS of oncology). Within her particular department and specialty is where she does her research and advocacy. Her annual salary averages $70,000-80,000 (this is variable based on the specialty).
Nurse Practitioner (NP): This individual is classed as a mid-level provider; like the PA (Physician’s Assistant) she performs tasks that a doctor will sometimes do, but under his limited supervision. Some states require an NP to perform all tasks directly under a doctor’s orders; others allow the NP to practice independent of the doctor’s control. They usually provide all primary medical care (and can write prescriptions). Their average yearly salary is $92,000 and higher, depending on her state and the setting of her medical facility (urban, for example, makes about $10,000 a year more than rural).
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): This is a natural step up for an NP or RN; it allows for continuity of care and a relatively stable salary despite state, setting or specialization. It is also, for all practical purposes, the highest paid non-managerial nursing job available (average annual salary of $100,000). The CRNA delivers anesthesia to patients during their surgical procedures, one of the most delicate and highly prized skills in the operating field. You must have top technical skills for this job; the bonus is that, for those who are not keen on patient interaction, there is very little of that during the procedure.
Now, it’s time to consider the salaries and duties of the highest payingnursing jobs of those medical professionals who are comfortable being “the boss.”
Highest Paying Managerial Nursing Jobs
Head Nurse (HN): As the title implies, this position is a leader over a cadre of nurses, and is responsible for their work, their results and the planning of their shifts and duties. The head nurse also deals with patients on a limited basis, but is far more concerned with the managerial paradigm of her particular facility and nursing group, including inventories, performance reports, patient records and the parceling out of duties to a nursing staff she directly supervises. She must be an RN with at least five years of direct and clinical experience, and may specialize in a particular department such as ICU, Obstetrics or ER. Her median salary is $85,000 and above.
Nursing Director (ND or D of N): The successful ND/D of N is able to create and implement budgets, design and device master work schedules for all the departments at a facility, set administrative policy for the hospital or clinic, and generally demonstrate excellent abilities in project management, leadership and interpersonal relationships with staff and patients, as well as overseeing and supervising nursing staffs. The job requires an RN and advanced degrees (at least a MSN), and pays $120,000 and up.
Head of Nursing: We have come to the top of the salary ladder. The H of N must have an area of specialty Master’s Degree (or MBA) and at least ten to fifteen years direct medical experience. She plans, oversees and implements policy on a facility-wide scale and operates as the senior executive management position in any medical organization. Her salary is $178,000 and higher.
So, out of the Highest Paying Nursing Jobs—did you see yours?
How To Quickly Find a Nursing Job Using Social Media
When looking for a new nursing job, keep in mind that social medial has become a highly popular tool for job search and networking in nearly all industries, including healthcare. Using social media provides a convenient and effective method to identify new opportunities.
The Growth of Social Media
Social medial sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have become important tools for candidates and employers to connect, even at great distances. A such, social media can be a great resource for those nurses seeking to relocate and identify new nursing jobs in other parts of the country—or around the world.
A recent study conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that over 22 percent of hiring managers in all sectors routinely peruse social medial sites to identify viable candidates for job vacancies. The study also found that an additional ten percent of hiring managers plan to incorporate social media into their recruitment strategies in the near future.
Most hiring managers use social media to obtain an impression of the person behind the résumé. In older times, hiring managers had to wait for in-person interview to obtain a 360 degree perspective of job candidates; now all it takes is a simple search of social media profiles.
While nursing skills and knowledge remain the primary factors in hiring decisions by nurse administrators, social media profiles also allow these hiring managers to determine whether the candidate will be a fit with overall facility culture. This determination can be made from the pictures posted to the candidate profile, perusing lists of friends and connections, reviewing groups that candidates belong to, style of language (e.g. word usage), as well as lists of hobbies and interests.
Social Media and Nursing Job Search
Are nurses and other health care professionals actually using social media as a job search resource?
A 2010 survey conducted by AMN Healthcare, a large healthcare staffing and workforce solutions firm asked nurses, doctors, as well as allied health personnel about their use of social media to help with job search. Of the nearly 1,250 healthcare professionals who took part in the survey, 60 percent reported to have been involved in job search over the past two years, 26 percent reported being actively involved in full time job search at the time of the survey, 21 percent claimed to be seeking contract or temporary work, and 14 percent were actively seeking part time work.
Respondents noted that their preferred job search methods included (in order of priority) in-person and social media networking, referrals, direct contact with potential employers, search engines, and healthcare job boards.
Specifically, of those who participated in the survey, about 2 in 5 claimed that they used at least one social media during their job search. Allied health professionals (23 percent) and nurses (22 percent) used social media most often, followed by pharmacists (18 percent) and doctors (15 percent). However, outcomes have been somewhat mixedt with only 6 percent reporting being invited to an interview and 3 percent being offered a job they identified through social media.
The results showed that most health care professionals (37 percent) use social media for networking rather than direct job search. Top sites, in order of popularity, for networking were reported to be Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Twitter. Nurses, at 41 percent, had the highest usage of social media for professional networking. When asked which social media site they would use if they had the choice of only one, the majority of respondents (64 percent) reported they would use Facebook.
Healthcare Organizations Use Social Media to Recruit
Recent studies suggest that over 1000 hospitals throughout the country now host a presence on one of the social media sites, most often Facebook and Twitter but LinkedIn as well. Nearly 10 percent of these hospitals also host their own blogs so that it seems many hospitals are using social media for a variety of purposes; i.e. networking, recruiting and marketing. For example, Twitter and Facebook provide a venue for healthcare facilities to post information regarding their health care services and education programs, while LinkedIn is a popular site for posting nursing job opportunities.
Creating a Social Media Profile for Nursing Job Search
The growing popularity of social media means that these sites can be a very valuable tool for nursing job search. However, to be successful you will need to develop a presence that will serve as an effective marketing tool and get the attention of nursing administrators.
Create a professional social media profile
Limit the information you include in your social media profile to that which you would want a potential employer to see. While you want to establish a warm and friendly tone, keep your profile professional with no slang or impolitic language. Post pictures in keeping with the professional image you wish to portray. Best to use a picture in which you are dressed in professional attire as you would dress if going on an interview.
The most appropriate time to create a professional profile is BEFORE you begin your nursing job search. Keep in mind that you may be in consideration for a nursing job without your even being aware of it should potential employers be perusing social media profiles for viable candidates. Any delay in removing less than professional content leaves you open to the risk that a potential employer may read it with the result that you are knocked out of the running before you even know you were in it!
Connect Wisely
Unless you limit access to your friends or connections list, potential employers will be able to view these lists and view select profiles as well. As they say, “we are judged by the company we keep” so exercise sound judgment in who you choose to connect with–or at least hide these lists.
Join Professional Groups
While the purpose of social media is to connect with others who share your personal interests, it will advance your candidacy if you also join professionally-based groups. With regard to nursing jobs, there are many associations representing nearly all nursing specialties that maintain a presence on most of the major social media sites. Not only will this provide evidence of your active involvement in professional activities but the connections you make can also help you tap into the hidden job market.
Don’t Mention Your Nursing Job Search
Just as nursing administrators may be perusing social media profiles so, too, may your current employer. Picture your supervisor perusing profiles only to come upon yours and discovering that you have been very busy on your days off searching for a new nursing job. At the least this will result in an awkward relationship between yourself and your boss; at the most it could seriously jeopardize your future employment with the facility. Even if your supervisor does not see your profile it is likely that one your colleagues may see it and inadvertently mention your job search around the facility.
What kind of nurses are there?
Nursing is a stable, high-paying position in the healthcare field. The nursing profession can require anywhere from one month of study at the CNA level to more than 5 years to obtain a doctoral level nursing degree. Potential nursing students should note that the time required to earn a specific qualification, salary and examination requirements for certain roles may vary slightly by school or state.
Certificate and Diploma Level
Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA)
The CNA is the ideal level to begin in the nursing profession. The Certified Nurse Assistant handles patient care needs. The CNAs duties primarily include personal care, such as bathing and managing bodily fluids in cases of incontinence or dialysis. They can work in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as hospitals. CNAs typically make about $1,500 per month.
CNA programs are usually offered at the community college level and can be completed in one semester/two quarters of study. Some programs at the undergraduate degree level require nurses to complete a CNA course as part of their studies. In fact, it is considered a good idea by nurses and health professionals to get accustomed to working with bodily fluids, gain experience in the healthcare field and earn income while completing a nursing degree. CNAs must take an exam at the state level to earn certification prior to practicing as a nursing assistant.
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
A Licensed Practical Nurse (or Licensed Vocational Nurse in some states) performs all of the essential functions of a nurse. The only difference is that LPNs do not gain leadership roles, make less income than other nurses and are not able to perform administrative duties. Becoming an LPN usually requires 12-14 months of study. Additionally, LPNs must take the National Council for Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) to earn certification as a nurse. LPNs typically earn about $3,000 per month.
RN (Registered Nurse) Diploma
Very few programs still exist that provide RN training without conferring a degree. Registered Nurses that participate in a diploma program usually require three years of study. The role is similar to the LPN role, as nurses with a diploma are not likely to be granted administrative or leadership roles without additional training. The RN diploma program is offered and completed exclusively at hospitals. Upon completing the program nurses must take the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse.
Undergraduate Level
At the undergraduate level, students can pursue either an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to become a Registered Nurse. Typically, the more education a nurse receives, the more they will earn. The BSN has become the industry standard for nurses that would like to be considered for additional opportunities in administration or management. Nurses in leadership roles may complete scheduling or manage floor assignments. The minimum starting salary for an RN is usually $4,00 monthly, though it can largely vary either way depending on years of experience and location. RNs with years of experience that work in specialty areas can earn upwards of $100,000 annually.
Master’s Level
At the Graduate Level, a nurse can choose a role as an APRN. The four main roles include Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Midwife. Nurses are required to obtain certification to become an APRN.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners usually work within a given specialty, such as pediatrics, oncology, women’s health or with the family. They may perform certain aspects of the role which are usually exclusively reserved for doctors. For example, in a doctor’s office, a patient may elect to make an appointment with the NP if the doctor is too busy or perhaps unavailable. NPs can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
A CRNA works with doctors and other health professionals as part of an anesthesia-focused healthcare team. Anesthesia is used anytime a patient requires a procedure when they must be treated while they are in an unconscious state. CRNAs are responsible for medicating patients appropriately during surgery, and therefore have a more intensive career that warrants higher pay, commonly in the six digits.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
A Clinical Nurse Specialist works within in a specialty area as do Nurse Practitioners. Common areas of practice include Acute Care, Geriatric or Adult. Historically, a CNS served in acute care settings, though in present day, a CNS commonly works in non-acute healthcare situations as well.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Nurse Midwives have become popular with the rise in home births and other alternative healthcare for women. The CNM is a women’s health professional, primarily focuses on pre-natal care and delivery. The CNM may also work with general women’s health needs and provide care in the post-partum process. CNM programs are among the least common in the four APRN areas.
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Nursing Practice
There are two types of doctoral degrees for nurses. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is termed a practical degree. Nurses with this degree primarily hold positions in a healthcare setting, usually in a leadership role managing an area of the hospital or a department. The coursework for the DNP is composed of a case study or paper, rather than a research project most often.
PhD in Nursing
The Nursing PhD is primarily an academic role in which nurses hold a professorship at a university, conduct research or both. They may also work with governmental organizations or nonprofits seeking to make changes to nursing policy. Nursing PhD programs usually require an intensive research project and specialization in an area of study
A select few programs offer a combined DNP and PhD in Nursing degree program. Both programs can take an average of five years or longer to complete if pursued on a part-time basis.
Nurses have a variety of options to accommodate their career preferences. Many educational programs cater to the working nurse, thus allowing nurses to work while they pursue career advancement. For prospective nurses wandering what type of nurses are there, the options are plentiful and in many cases can be further specialized to work with the population or in the specific clinical area of choice.
How long does it take to become a Nurse?
The length of time required to become a nurse largely depends on the level of nursing one aspires to. At the most basic level, a nursing career can begin within a matter of months, while more advanced nursing roles require more than four years of study. Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)* typically work under the instruction of nurses who have a more senior role, such as an RN (Registered Nurse) or ARPN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse). These nurses usually hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and have several years of experience.
The primary difference in these roles is that Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses may be responsible for creating a plan of care, while Certified Nursing Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses would not design a plan of care, but carry out plans of the senior health professionals. APRNs require additional certification. Though it’s possible to earn an RN with a diploma or associate’s degree, typically, RNs who hold a supervisory role have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Prerequisites for nursing programs vary by institution and are a large factor in determining an individual student’s course of study. The nursing profession is regulated and subject to the board of nursing requirements in each state. Ultimately, the amount of time required varies by state and program, though there are some general guidelines according to nursing qualification.
Certificate Level
CNA (Certified Nurse’s Assistant)
A Certified Nurse Assistant is the first step in becoming a nurse. Programs can vary in length from one month to one quarter of study. Many nurses are able to earn a nurse aide certification while enrolled in an LPN or RN program. The CNA is a regulated nursing profession at the certificate level and requires passing a state-level exam. CNAs work under the supervision of both LPNs and RNs attending to basic patient needs often related to personal care.
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
Most LPN programs require just over one year of continuous study including both coursework and clinical training. LPNs are also referred to as LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) in some states. To obtain certification, an LPN must take the NCLEX-PN exam after completing coursework.
Undergraduate Level Nursing Degrees
RN (Registered Nurse)
RNs are considered independent nursing professionals. They supervise LPNs and RNs and work directly with doctors, head nurses and other medical staff. Becoming an RN without any previous experience generally requires two to four years of study for the ADN and BSN respectively. The final step in becoming an RN is passing the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed. While the ADN and BSN prepared student can earn the same qualification, the BSN is the standard for advanced roles and career opportunities with an undergraduate education.
There are some exceptions to the two and four year institution programs. Accelerated nursing degrees for students that have a baccalaureate degree or higher in a field other than nursing allows a student to become an RN in two to three years. Though very rare, a select few RN programs are offered through hospitals that offer a diploma in lieu of an ADN or BSN degree for the RN. Most diploma programs can be completed in three years.
Graduate Nursing Degrees
MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
The MSN degree is offered in a variety of settings. In some institutions, students can enroll in a joint undergraduate and graduate degree program, while other institutions offer the MSN program independently. The MSN can take anywhere from one to three years to complete. If a student is seeking certification, the master’s degree program can be three or even four years if taken on a part-time basis.
Masters degree programs often involve certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Certification is through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or other professional nursing body. The APRN can obtain certification in one of four key areas:
-Nurse Practitioner (NP)
-Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
-Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
-Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
CNMs primarily work with women’s health and CRNAs with patients going under anesthesia. However, NPs and CNSs further specialize, usually with a specific population (e.g., Family, Pediatric, Geriatric) or type of care (e.g., Acute, Psychiatric, Obstetrics). Types of Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialist include but are not limited to the following:
The Nursing Doctorate degree requires extensive full-time study in an academic setting. It usually requires students to attend courses on campus, and takes approximately three years for students who have a master’s degree in nursing
DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Unlike PhD in Nursing programs, many DNP programs are conducted solely online. Since it is a practice degree designed for nurses in the healthcare setting, many DNP candidates will continue working while attending school. DNP programs can be completed in three to five years of study.
*Notes: – In Texas and California, the role of the LPN is performed by an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse).
Is Nursing A Good Career Choice?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. There are several factors that come into play when classifying a career as good or not so good. First are the individual preferences and expectations of what a career should do for you. On the other hand, your thoughts of nursing should not solely be inclined on one side of your understanding as this may bring a bias in classifying nursing as good or bad. Below, we look at the glittering and dull sides of the nursing career.
Reasons Why Nursing Is Considered A Good Career
Countrywide and globally, qualified nurses are in high demand as the needs of caring for the aging population and disabled increase. Like in any market, when demand is high, prices shot and this is exactly what is happening in the nursing profession. Since nurses are in acute shortage, every nursing facility is trying to keep or acquire any nurses they can with an attractive remuneration package. In most cases, the attractive payment can be attributed to the large number of people joining way above the earlier decision of taking nursing as a calling/passion.
With regard to the above note on nurse shortage, the US government sometimes provides incentives to cater for tuition fees for any citizens willing to shift their careers into nursing. Such awards and incentive saves the student money and is therefore a factor classifying nursing as a good career especially for career changers
Until the deficit is met, it would be right to say that most career changers in nursing are likely to benefit from fast-paced schooling formats. A fast paced program means that the student take the least time in school and enter the working profession fast. This is also another plus for people who are looking forward to start earning quickly.
For nurses who joined the profession due to passion or a calling, the act of helping sick people come into good health is also a satisfaction by itself. This by far surpasses all other kind of glittering aspects of the nursing career. Getting into a profession where you always look forward to changing people lives can have so much positive psychological reward.
As much as nurses can be seen to be working long hours, at most, they have the option of choosing which hours suit them best. Unlike a day job, some nurses may feel more energetic to work at night and their request to work in the night shift would certainly be honored. Basically, nurses get to choose what time/shift they would be most productive.
Most employers want their nurses to advance their education. As such, it is common observation to find employers offering scholarship programs for their nurses who wish to advance and earn bachelor or masters of Science in nursing degrees. Other employers still may offer onsite training programs to help keep their nurses abreast with emerging issues in the healthcare sector. Such special considerations are not so common in every other profession.
What Makes Nursing A Little Scary
With all the coloring on the cake about nursing as a career, there are a number of issues that makes it a no for some people.
It is no doubt nurses have some of the oddest tasks in the health care sector. Being in contact with very sick, extremely aged or even dying patients may not be that appealing at times. Nurses may have to learn to deal with not-so good situations they come across during their duties
Another aspect that puts-off a large number of people from nursing is the fact of being on call all the time. If you cannot sacrifice your luxury, holiday, family outing, some deep sleep because of work, then nursing is not just the right career for you. Nurses should be ready to work anytime they are called-upon especially during emergencies or peculiar situations.
Being a nurse means being involved in some messy work. This includes but not limited to bathing, feeding and keeping the general hygiene of patients. It may involve coming across unpleasant body fluids, blood, etc. This may not be suitable for person who nauseate on small messy things.
Different patients have different manners, behaviors and personalities. Being a nurse means that you can accommodate the ill-mannered, the high tempered the soft spoken, the ignorant and any other classes of patients. If you are not endowed with patience and emotional stability, you may end-up losing it as a nurse.
Schools are turning away thousands of qualified applicants as they struggle to expand class size and hire more teachers for nursing programs.
There will be more demand for nursing specialties. For nurses to gain more specialties, they will need more education. This article by 
The shortage of nurses is having an impact on new and existing nurses. Nurses can stay on past a normal retirement age and their jobs are secure. With advances in healthcare, nurses themselves are living longer, healthier lives when they care for their bodies, allowing them to work to a later age.
This specialty works most often in the intensive care unit or ICU.
These professionals work under the eye of a doctor, and they do patient exams, diagnose various illnesses and prescribe drugs.
This speciality teaches other professionals to become nurses.
