Nevada Nursing Careers
Nursing is one of the most flexible positions in the medical and healthcare industries because it offers endless opportunities to change careers or areas of practice without changing one’s profession. Here are just a few of the many career paths in nursing:
- Business owner
- Computer/informatics expert
- Educator
- Flight nurse
- Home health/hospice nurse
- Hospital, clinic or office nurse
- Labor and delivery or neonatal nurse
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse attorney/legal consultant
- Triage nurse in emergency care
Nurses also influence legislation, change healthcare delivery systems, write and publish research, educate publics about disease prevention and health promotion, and participate on boards of directors and professional organizations. They also serve as leaders in the community in roles such as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, entrepreneurs, elected officials, educators and lobbyists.
Experienced and educated nurses, especially those with advanced degrees, have virtually limitless opportunities for growth and job promotion. For example, a general nurse could work his or her way up to charge nurse, head nurse, manager, assistant director and eventually director of nursing.
Within certain RN roles and positions, career pathways can be advanced through additional education and specialty certification. Some examples include:
- Advanced practice: Educational preparation requires a master's degree or higher; certification also is required in Southern Nevada. Advanced nursing roles include nurse practitioner (NP or APN — in Southern Nevada an advanced practice nurse); certified nurse midwife (CNM); clinical nurse specialist (CNS); and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
- Educator in practice settings: Bachelor's degree and certification are required. Roles may include diabetes educator; patient/health/wellness educator; preceptor; staff development; continuing education.
- Educator in academic settings: In associate and diploma programs, an MSN is preferred and often required. In universities and institutions of higher , a doctorate or MSN transitioning to doctorate is required.
- Specialty nursing: BSN or higher degree with role-specific continuing education is preferred. Nurse role examples are occupational health, infection control, public health, and researcher.
- Staff RN: Requirements (dependent on the employer’s policies) include an associate’s degree, diploma, bachelor's degree, or master's degree with in-service and/or continuing education appropriate to a specialty. Certification is possible for some roles.
- Nursing management: A master's degree or higher is generally required. Roles include chief nursing officer, chief operating officer, chief executive officer, and clinical services or office manager.
- Other roles: This includes roles for which a nursing background can be helpful; but which may require additional education or preparation outside of nursing. Examples include nurse attorney, consultant, pharmaceutical/medical supply sales, policy makers, and professional nursing/health organization staff.