Careers in nursing: a job for life

As I approach the end of my degree I am beginning to consider the different careers I can access. I thought as I make my way through all this research it would be helpful to share what I have found and what I am considering with you!

Ward work

This includes medical, surgical and acute care wards such as emergency department (ED) and critical care.

From these environments, you can further specialise into what you enjoy, with many wards offering courses to further enhance your skills and progress your career. For example, nursing practitioner courses in ED, critical care outreach nurses and cardiac specialist. You can then progress to management in roles such as deputy sister, ward manager, matron, etc. Or alternatively, you can become a nurse prescriber of medications for patients. There are so many options.

Community work

You can work in the community as a registered nurse or progress further into management, similarly to the hospital or focus on your clinical skills and become a community nursing practitioner. There is also the opportunity to become a practice nurse in a GP surgery seeing patients with a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions.

Nurse Paramedic

This role is under development and is being rolled out in my area of the East of England within the next few years. It involves working alongside paramedics in an acute environment to ensure a patient gets the appropriate support.

Residential care home

This role enables nurses to administer medication and medical support to residents of care homes. Duties also include dressing wounds and supporting other staff with the prevention of wounds like pressure sores.

Top-up degrees

In most places, you can study for 18 months to two years to 'top-up' and work alongside midwives, child nurses etc, to further your registered field.

Health visiting

Working out in the community visiting families and children up to the age of five years, supporting them with new concerns or worries. It involves a bit of further study.

Research nursing

This can be in a hospital or with drug firms and insurance companies to test-run experiments based around available patients to see if they meet the criteria.

Private cosmetic surgery

You can open your own clinic with a prescriber course and perform small cosmetic procedures like lip fillers and Botox.

It’s safe to say I have listed a lot there and I am sure there is way more out there open to you with a nursing degree!

All careers in nursing begin with care, but they can take you in so many different directions. Study adult, child or mental health nursing at ARU, and we'll help you find the right path for you.