So You Wanna Be a Nurse? 8 Career Pathways You Didn’t Know Nurses Could Take

Of all the misconceptions about nurses, “we work crazy hours at the bedside in hospitals” is my favorite one.

I mean, yeah… a lot of us do work crazy hours in hospitals lol. But there are so many directions you can take your career when you have a nursing degree. This was the most surprising–and exciting–thing I learned when I became a nurse.

Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is a money-loving, adventure-craving nurse’s dream. It’s exactly what it sounds like–travel nurses work temporary assignments at different hospitals all over the country. Assignments are usually around 13 weeks, but can vary depending on the hospital’s needs.

This might be one of the most flexible pathways you can take as a nurse. You sign up with a travel agency, who does all the legwork for you–they find the job openings, hook you up with an interview, and if you get it, they provide you with housing in the new location or give you a stipend to find your own. Plus, you don’t have to travel all over the country if you don’t want to–plenty travel nurses just travel locally, which can be a great option if you have a family or significant other that can’t uproot every few months with you.

Another benefit travel nurses experience is the ability to take breaks from work to travel, or just chill for a couple weeks (or months, if you can afford it) between assignments. When an assignment ends, you have the option to sign a new contract right away, or take time off. You have complete control over your career as a travel nurse.

Travel nurses usually make much more per week than staff nurses–this is because hospitals don’t have to pay for your benefits, so they’re willing to offer you a higher salary.

Y’all, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve considered becoming a travel nurse. I’m a Sagittarius, so my sense of wanderlust is almost overwhelming–especially in the past year or so. Having a job that allows me to travel every couple months sounds like a dream. Honestly, being so stuck in my comfort zone and applying to go back to school is what has kept me from it… but I don’t know how much longer that will last, for real.

Outpatient Clinic Nurse

While the traditional route of working 12-hour shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends is usually where most nurses start, another popular option is working in an outpatient clinic.

There are a few major differences in hospital versus clinic nursing. In clinics, the acuity is usually lower than on inpatient units–in other words, patients tend to be more stable. However, clinic nurses can be much busier throughout the day because they see so many more patients. The duties of these nurses vary depending on the clinic, but usually include follow-up visits, wound management, IV infusions, etc.

Also, ambulatory clinics typically have a more regular schedule, from five 8-hour days to four 10-hour days.

Nurse Consultant

Clinical nurse consultants are just like regular consultants–they work with clients to identify, troubleshoot, and solve problems. They use their clinical expertise to give medical advice, as well as guidance for improving hospital processes and outcomes.

Legal nurse consultants provide counsel to attorneys on medical issues. They might assist in malpractice cases, personal injury cases, insurance fraud cases, etc.

This could be a great pathway if you’re interested in healthcare, but not necessarily the patient-care aspect.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

APRNs are masters- or doctorally-prepared nurses with advanced training in a particular specialty. They include nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

Going on to earn an advanced-practice degree is a common route for nurses, especially those who want to further their career but still work in a clinical setting.

The main difference between RNs and APRNs is the scope of practice. APRNs act more in a “provider” capacity–they can diagnose and prescribe, just like doctors. You might even notice that sometimes, when you go to a clinic, you’re seen by a nurse practitioner instead of a doctor.

Depending on the state you’re in, the level of autonomy an APRN has might vary. In some places, they can practice independently; in others, they work under the supervision of a physician.

Research Nurse

Ah, a personal fave! 🙂 When I tell people that I’m a clinical research nurse, their first question is usually “So… do you like, work with patients?”

The answer is yes! As a clinical research nurse, I care for patients every day, just as other nurses do. There is an extra layer to our jobs, as we’re dealing with research participants who are receiving drugs and therapies whose effects are not always fully known. Thus, data collection and close monitoring of our patients is vital to maintain their safety, as well as the integrity of the research.

Many research nurses, however, work in more of an administrative capacity. The research nurses that work with our individual institutes at the National Institutes of Health act as a liaison between the patient and the research team; they screen new patients for research protocols, schedule appointments, provide education about the protocols, document study-related data, and more.

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work in the community to promote health and wellness through education, advocacy, and prevention. They assess the health trends in the communities they work in, and implement interventions to improve outcomes. The way I think about it is, while traditional nurses focus on an individual’s health, public health nurses are more-so concerned with the health of entire populations.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are responsible for teaching both nurses and potential nurses the skills they need to be successful. At my hospital, each unit has a nurse educator who ensures that our clinical competencies are up to date, and serves as an educational resource. They also manage our enrollment in continuing education classes.

Of course, nurse educators also serve as our professors in nursing school… which is pretty straightforward lol.

Telehealth Nurse

Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular, especially for those in remote or rural locations where access to physical care might be limited. Telehealth encompasses more than just counseling patients over the phone. These days, nurses can assess, monitor, and treat patients virtually.

Telehealth nursing is super flexible, because you can essentially do it from anywhere that can support the proper technology.

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I literally just grazed the surface of career options you have with a nursing degree. Nursing truly gives you the flexibility to create a life you love, doing something that allows you to bring joy and comfort to the lives of others. It is truly a special field to work in.