Nursing Career Paths
If you're on the path to earning a nursing degree, there are several career options to explore in various industries, from hospitals to private care.
As a registered nurse, you may provide care and support to patients and their families, educate them on health concerns, and coordinate patient care among other administration and diagnostic work. It's a field where you may exercise different qualities1, such as critical thinking skills, communication skills, demonstrate compassion, be detail oriented, keep up physical stamina and much more.
Hospital-Based Nursing Jobs
When you first think of nursing2, you may think of hospital settings, though there are plenty of opportunities outside of hospitals. Hospital-based registered nurses may also work in different settings3 than just hospitals, in acute care setting such as surgical centers, skilled nursing facilities, and inpatient care units.
| Job | Role | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| ER Nurse | Provides urgent care for patients with injuries in high-pressure situations | Emergency Room |
| Intensive Care Nurse (ICU) | Provides care for life-threatening conditions that require ongoing monitoring and care. | ICU |
| Labor and Delivery (L&D) | Provides care during labor, assists with childbirth and supports postpartum care. | L&D |
| Pediatric Nurse | Provides care to infants, children and youth. | Pediatric floor or NICU |
| Cardiac Nurse | Provides care for patients with heart conditions, monitoring patients' vital signs and giving medical treatments as necessary. | Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) |
| Oncology Nurse | Provides specialized and direct patient care for cancer patients, such as chemotherapy. | Oncology floor or outpatient clinics |
| Respiratory Nurse | Provides care for patients with breathing or respiratory conditions, assisting with ventilators and other equipment. | ICU, pulmonology floor |
Alternative Nursing Career Paths Outside the Hospital
There are many opportunities for registered nurses who seek to work outside of a traditional healthcare setting. These types of positions may enable nurses to use their skills in a non-traditional setting while seeking specialized care opportunities.
| Job | Role | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health Nurse | Provides care for patients at home, monitoring chronic conditions, wound care, medication management and more. | Patient's home |
| Occupational Health Nurse or School Nurse | Promotes workplace health and safety, conducts health assessments, provides injury care | Schools, organizations, businesses |
| Public Health Nurses | Works in communities to prevent disease, promote health education | Community health centers, public health agencies |
| Travel Nurse | Provides care in different locations in short-term assignments, may be in places with staffing shortages | Healthcare facilities |
| Legal Nurse Consultant | May work with legal teams to interpret medical records and provide testimony. | Law firms, courts |
Advancing Your Nursing Career With a Nursing Degree
Career advancement opportunities may include leadership roles, specialized nursing roles, and academic roles.
Academic Roles
Some nurses may pursue academic roles1, which may require additional clinical rotations, clinical experience, or advanced degrees such as a master’s degree or doctorate.
Common academic roles may include teaching or conducting research in a specific field or subject area at a college, medical school or university, especially if a nurse worked professionally in a specific area such as prenatal care, cardiac care or other concentrations.
Specialized Nursing Roles
Some specialized nursing roles, such as nurse anesthetists and advanced practice nurses, require additional training and a master’s or doctoral degree. These professionals provide patient care throughout medical procedures and administer anesthesia. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that will lead to the career outcome of Nurse Anesthetist.
Nurse practitioners provide primary and specialty patient care, including diagnosing, ordering tests and prescribing medication.
Clinical research nurses may support medical research initiatives by working with those participating in clinical trials.
Leadership Roles
Leadership roles1 for registered nurses may be found in hospitals, clinics, nursing practices, and in other private healthcare settings.
Leadership roles may require advanced education or training. Common leadership roles may include:
- Nurse managers
- Director of a nursing program
- Other senior-level administrative roles
These roles typically require skills like communication, negotiation, good judgment and leadership.
Pursuing a Nursing Career Starts With Education
Pursuing a nursing career often requires a strong passion for nursing care and caring for others and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Rasmussen University4 offers nursing education options from certificates to an associate degree to bachelor's degree, master's and doctoral options to fit common nursing career goals.
Getting started as a registered nurse5 requires a nursing degree and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX®) licensure, along with a strong foundation in nursing skills and knowledge.
If you're not a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, your path at Rasmussen University could include:
- Practical Nursing Diploma
- Professional Nursing ADN
- Accelerated BSN
If you're already a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, your path at Rasmussen University could include:
- LPN to RN Bridge
- RN to BSN
- MSN
- Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate
- DNP
Nursing Job Outlook and What Comes Next
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing jobs are projected to grow 6% by 2033.6 The demand for nurses is anticipated to grow due to the aging population and medical care for those who have chronic conditions.
If you're interested in caring for others and building on your knowledge, check out our article on How To Become a Professional Nurse. Rasmussen University⁵ offers several academic programs for students interested in becoming a nurse or for nursing professionals interested in advancing their career.
NCLEX® is a registered trademark of National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. 111 East Wacker Drive Suite 2900 Chicago, ILLINOIS UNITED STATES 6060.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-4 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Outlook, Careers for Nurses: Opportunities and Options, at https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/article/careers-for-nurses-opportunities-and-options.htm (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
4 Rasmussen University, Nursing Programs, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
5 Rasmussen University, Professional Nursing, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/professional-nursing/ (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
6 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6 (visited Feb. 24, 2025).
