The healthcare industry is diverse and offers a range of positions for medical professionals. Nurses are in high demand for many types of healthcare facilities. There are typically many options available to recent RN graduates when deciding where they might want to work. Learn about typical work settings for recent RN graduates, popular career paths, nursing certifications, and steps for finding entry-level positions for new nursing graduates.
Hospitals
RNs who work in hospitals frequently handle a variety of duties and provide care for various patients every day. Nurses typically work longer shifts in hospitals, averaging 12 to 15 hours. They do, however, get more days off than people who work regular 9–5 jobs.
Moreover, a large number of nurses, many of whom specialize in one area of nursing for example Emergency or critical care nurse specialists, work in hospitals. While some nurses perform all necessary nursing tasks in the emergency room, others have much more predetermined roles on teams that handle particular patients or illness types.
Private Clinics
Most private medical practices use nurses to help with routine patient care. These nurses frequently perform initial examinations of patients, keep records and documentation, and give vaccinations. In comparison to other nurses, RNs who work in doctors' offices frequently have more organized workdays. Their patients typically do not have conditions that are life-threatening and must schedule an appointment in order to be seen. These nurses help the doctor by taking vital signs, recording patient data, and setting up appointments.
Birthing Facilities
Every stage of pregnancy receives assistance from nurse midwives. Alongside obstetricians and gynecologists, they assist pregnant women and their unborn children during childbirth. In addition to educating expectant parents about birth, performing medical duties, and assisting the doctor in case of emergencies, labor and delivery room nurses also offer emotional support. They also provide care for mothers who, due to complications, remain in the hospital after giving birth.
Clinics for Public Health
Registered nurses who want to help their community and make improvements should consider a career as a public health nurse. Public health nurses are employed by social service organizations and community centers to inform residents about regional and global health crises. Additionally, these nurses design and carry out initiatives that encourage wellness behaviors and illness avoidance.
Typically, public health nurses must possess a doctoral degree or a master's degree in nursing. Some nursing schools provide accelerated programs that enable aspiring public health nurses to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees at once.
Nursing Care at Home
In the comfort of the patient's home, home healthcare nurses promote or maintain patients' health. Some stay stationed near the patient for extended periods of time while working long shifts. Around 12% of RNs are these nurses, who make up a sizable portion of those who offer in-home healthcare.
Additionally, under the direction of a doctor, a home care nurse, also known as a home health nurse, offers nursing services and in-home care to patients. Their main responsibilities include giving medications, changing patients' dressings, and writing reports for the supervising physician.
After choosing the locations and positions you are most interested in, check to see if your credentials, training, education, and experience match the requirements of the position. To help you stand out from the competition, you might want to look for an internship opportunity in that field or apply for a specific certificate before applying.
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