Being a registered nurse is extremely rewarding, despite the clear challenges. However, many people reach a point in their career where bedside nursing no longer feels right, but what else is there to do with a nursing degree? Throughout this article, we take a look at five career choices for registered nurses.
Leadership Positions
If you’ve graduated and worked as a nurse for some years now, you may have what it takes to enter into a leadership position. For example, you can learn how to become director of nursing, which is a role that allows you to manage other nurses and make sure everyone remains compliant. Alternatively, you can become a nurse manager, chief nursing officer (CNO), healthcare manager, or nurse administrator.
The best part about entering into a leadership position is that you may be able to stay with your current employer, as many healthcare establishments prefer to hire management from within.
Information Technology
If you want to step away from the chaotic world of direct patient care but still wish to provide excellent healthcare, then look no further than a career in nursing IT. As innovative technology continues to change the face of the world, the healthcare industry needs experts to maintain and implement new systems.
Non-Bedside Nursing Positions
Being a typical registered nurse involves working in a clinic to provide direct patient care, but there are now plenty of positions that let you practice without being inside the clinic, especially with the emergence of telemedicine. Here are some of the non-bedside roles you can take up:
- Legal nursing consultant
- Case management
- Telemedicine nursing
- Informatics expert
- Nursing researcher
Educating Nurses
As you’ve already graduated from nursing, you’ve proven your knowledge and expertise in the position. In your search for an alternative career path, you should consider stepping into nursing education. Qualities of an excellent nursing educator include:
- Extensive practical experience
- High academic knowledge and an advanced degree
- A passion for sharing experiences and knowledge
- Outstanding communication
If this sounds like a profile you’re perfectly aligned with, then it’s time to set the wheels in motion. There are different positions you can take up including practical mentoring and becoming a professor. For the majority of education roles, you’ll need to upgrade your medical background by getting an MSM (Master of Science in Nursing).
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals are a crucial part of the healthcare industry, and a nursing graduate could be the perfect addition to a manufacturer developing drugs. For example, if you specialize in pediatric care, you can assist in developing new treatments either as a researcher, educator, or consultant. The transition into pharmaceuticals is typically smooth and doesn’t require much education, as you’re already an excellent communicator with extensive medical knowledge.
Training to become a registered nurse takes a long time and plenty of hard work, but that doesn’t mean all nurses want to continue working directly with patients. The positions above are all perfect for nurses, and the majority of them are easy to slide into with a little upskilling.
