Nursing is a diverse field and there are various types of nursing careers to choose from. Nurses can work in different environments, such as hospitals, aged care facilities, and private homes or practices. Your education, qualifications and experience will shape the sort of career path you can take within
the nursing field.

Below are the types of nursing careers available:

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Under the supervision of a registered nurse, a certified nurse assistant is responsible for offering assistance to patients in their daily living tasks. Other duties include applying dressings, taking vital signs, conducting range of motion exercises and informing the RN of any changes in the patient’s status.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered nurses work to treat patients, educate patients and their families about medical conditions, and help carry out diagnostic tests. RNs are the biggest occupation in health care. RNs have the ability to dedicate themselves to caring for a particular condition or area of the body, a specific type of patient, or a section of the hospital. To become an RN, you must graduate from an approved and accredited institution and pass the National Council License Examination (NCLEX).

Public Health Nurse (PHN)

Public health nurses are RNs who are specialized to work in community health. They provide the same functions as an RN as well as travelling to communities to find practical and feasible solutions to community health worries and setting up programs for immunizations, testing blood pressure, and other healthcare screenings.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Licensed practical nurses are required to have more training than CNAs, but less than RNs. They are responsible for giving essential bedside care to patients like checking blood pressure, taking a patient’s temperature, preparing and giving injections, applying dressings and ice packs, and observing any changes in the health of a patient. LN’s must pass the NCLEX-PN exam before they become licensed.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

A CRNA is an RN who has undergone additional training in anesthetics. A CRNA is in charge of looking after a patient’s anesthesia requirements before, during and post-surgery and other medical procedures. They must undergo extensive training beyond that of an RN to qualify as a CRNA.

Home Health Nurse (HHN)

Home health nurses are trained RNs who look after patients at home. Their duty is to care for patients who are unable to leave their homes. They may travel from their hospital of employment or work for a home health care centre or outpatient facility.

Occupational Health Nurse

Occupational health nurses care for patients who have been injured on the job. They may be responsible for providing emergency relief, writing up accident reports, providing health counseling services and reviewing the potential health and safety risks at various work environments.

Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner is an RN who has undertaken further training (such as a Masters degree) to provide similar care as a doctor (such as carrying out the same sort of non-emergency tasks that a physician may perform). In many states, nurse practitioners are able to write prescriptions for patients.

Nurse Midwife

A nurse midwife is an RN who has undergone further training in nurse midwifery. Midwives provide care and assistance to pregnant women during pregnancy and post-birth.