What can I do with this degree?
NURSING

AREAS

STAFF NURSING

Hospital Specialties Include: Pediatrics, Surgical, Emergency, Critical Care, Maternity, Women's Health, Newborn Intensive Care, Cancer Treatment, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Operating Room/Recovery Room, Various Others

ccupational or Industrial Health

EMPLOYERS
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics and medical centers
  • Physicians' offices and medical groups
  • Outpatient surgery centers
  • Home health agencies
  • Extended care facilities: Nursing homes, Rehabilitation centers, Hospices
  • Psychiatric hospitals and mental health agencies
  • Educational institutions
  • Large corporations
STRATEGIES
  • Gain experience through externship or internship programs
  • Work or volunteer in healthcare and medical settings during summers and breaks
  • Take electives in areas such as wellness, holistic health, medical ethics, and death and dying
  • Develop good organizational skills and the ability to handle stress
  • Develop patience, ability to work with both patients and families for long periods, and good listening skills
  • Be prepared to work nights, weekends, and holidays in a hospital setting
  • Obtain a master's degree for positions such as nurse practitioner, clinical specialist, or nurse administrator
  • Cultivate managerial skills for head nurse or other supervisory positions.
COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
  • Home Health
  • Rural Nursing
  • Health Education
EMPLOYERS
  • Public and private schools
  • Daycare centers
  • Mental health facilities
  • State and local health departments
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Senior centers
  • Nurse-run clinics
  • Religious organizations
  • Social service agencies
STRATEGIES
  • Develop knowledge and skills in management, decision-making, mediation, teaching, counseling, speaking, and writing
  • Gain experience in the ability to handle emergencies, work independently, and be flexible
  • Develop expertise in first aid procedures
  • Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies
  • Obtain a master's degree for nurse practitioner positions.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
  • Temporary Staffing
  • Travel Nursing
  • Personal Services Contracting
  • Private Duty
  • Midwifery
EMPLOYERS
  • Healthcare staffing agencies
  • Travel companies
  • Businesses and organizations with temporary needs
  • Private households
STRATEGIES
  • Gained the required years of experience
  • Learn to work autonomously and make decisions independently
  • Be prepared to move frequently to various locations either locally or abroad
  • Become flexible and adaptable.
GOVERNMENT SERVICE
  • Staff Nursing
  • Administration
  • Policy Development
  • Research
EMPLOYERS
  • Government health agencies including: Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Peace Corps, VISTA
  • Armed services
  • Prisons
STRATEGIES
  • Define an area of interest since government work offers a variety of practices.
  • Plan on graduate study in teaching, research, or administration for advancement.
  • Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems and beliefs. Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.
EDUCATION
  • Teaching
  • Educational Administration
EMPLOYERS
  • Teaching hospitals
  • Colleges and universities
  • Schools of nursing
  • Wellness centers
  • Public school systems
  • Community education programs
STRATEGIES
  • Develop patience, sensitivity to the needs of young adults as well as patients, and the ability to accept responsibility for the actions of others
  • Take courses in the principles and practices of teaching
  • Earn an advanced degree to teach at the college or university level
  • Gain experience in public speaking.
NURSING RESEARCH
EMPLOYERS
  • Large hospitals and medical centers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Centers for nursing research
  • National Institute for Nursing
  • Pharmaceutical companies
STRATEGIES
  • Gain experience with research through supervised independent study or class projects
  • Develop curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, persistence, good writing skills, and an understanding of statistics
  • Obtain a Ph.D.
TELEHEALTH
EMPLOYERS
  • Call centers
  • Private Offices
  • Clinics
  • HMO's
  • Hospitals
STRATEGIES
  • Work in other practices for five to ten years to gain the necessary experience.
  • Develop good communication skills and the ability to make important decisions quickly.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
EMPLOYERS
  • Embassies
  • Military bases
  • National or international government agencies
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • Church-related mission services
  • World Health Organization
STRATEGIES
  • Consider advanced education as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner to be more marketable
  • Learn a foreign language and an appreciation for other cultures
  • Inquire about the need for additional preparation in religious studies or similar courses
  • Research nursing requirements in other countries.
OTHER AREAS
  • Insurance: Underwriting and Claims
  • Sales
  • Product Management
  • Quality Assurance
  • Writing
  • Law
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Information Management
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Forensic Nursing
EMPLOYERS
  • Insurance companies
  • Hospitals
  • HMO's
  • Business and industry: Pharmaceutical, Medical equipment and supplies, Medical marketing companies
  • Law firms
  • Medical and health publications
  • Healthcare websites
  • Healthcare advertising agencies
  • Public relations firms
  • Professional associations
STRATEGIES
  • Combine interest nursing and healthcare with another field by earning appropriate graduate degrees or gaining relevant experience. Minor in business or communications as an undergraduate
  • Develop strong computer skills and an understanding of business practices.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Nursing is the largest healthcare field. Three out of five nurses work in hospitals. Many nurses work part-time.
  • Nursing combines science and technology with the desire to help people. One must enjoy helping people of all types and backgrounds.
  • Nursing requires both physical stamina and emotional stability. Nurses must be able to follow orders and direct others.
  • Earn a master's degree to prepare for advanced practice nursing including: clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, and administration. Earn a doctoral degree for research or teaching at a university.
  • All states regulate nursing by requiring licensure.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA Employer