Image Source: Elements.Envato.com
Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers out there. It can be difficult work, but it’s worth it when you know that you are making a difference in someone else’s life. Becoming a nurse is an admirable goal, and many people start down this path by enrolling in nursing programs. There are many options for where to go with your program once you finish. Here are five career paths you can take in a nursing program.
1. Liberal Arts Nursing
Many people who enroll in nursing programs do so after completing a liberal arts degree. Liberal arts degrees are great for those who don’t want to specialize in one area of study, and they teach you how to think critically and learn about different subjects. They’re great preparation for the wide breadth of topics that nurses need to know about and provide excellent writing skills that are an asset when creating reports. Some career paths in the liberal arts include teaching, information technology, and various administration forms.
2. Nurse Educator
The path to becoming a nurse educator helps you play a key role in nursing education programs and medical schools. Nurse educators teach classes on all sorts of topics related to nursing, preparing new nurses for the field. They also often work with students individually to provide career counseling and recommend courses of study to best prepare each student for their future careers.
3. Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists provide anesthesia care to patients, including those recovering from surgery or for whom anesthesia is otherwise medically necessary. Their job is to monitor the patient’s vital signs and administer anesthesia as needed, ensuring that the patient remains comfortable throughout their procedure.
4. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are health care professionals who diagnose and treat patients. This is generally done under the supervision of a physician, but nurse practitioners are qualified to provide some treatment with no physician supervision at all. They are especially effective in providing care for the underserved because they are more accessible than physicians.
5. Nurse Midwife
Nurse-midwives provide women with prenatal care, labor and delivery management, and post-natal care. They are qualified to prescribe medications necessary during pregnancy and certain medical procedures required for mother or child health issues. They also work closely with other health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, so you will never be working alone. This is an excellent choice for people who want to acquire healthcare certifications.
There are many different paths that you can take in a nursing program, but they all have one thing in common. Nurses work hard to give people the best possible care, which is an admirable goal. If you want to make a difference in other people’s lives, look into what you can do with your nursing degree after you graduate.
