(Newswire.net — September 6, 2016) — Nurses work in a variety of settings and serve a multitude of patients. A few interesting, lesser-known nursing niches to consider are:
Pediatrics
Being sick is no fun, especially when you just want to be a kid. Pediatric nurses not only provide care to sick children, but also serve as friendly faces, offering companionship and guidance to families during a difficult time. Pediatric nurses work with patients from infancy to young adulthood, thus they must possess a unique ability to communicate effectively with both children and their guardians.
Pediatric nurses often work as part of a healthcare team, alongside pediatricians and other pediatric specialists. They may complete such tasks as administering vaccinations and immunizations, which help protect children from contracting communicable diseases such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus. Pediatric nurses have the unique opportunity to specialize in a subset of pediatric care like pediatric oncology, pediatric neurology, or pediatric cardiology. If you love kids, this may be the nursing niche for you!
Psychiatric/Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health and nurses who treat psychiatric conditions are as important as those who treat physical ailments. Psychiatric nurses work alongside psychiatrists and other mental-health professionals to treat patients with conditions like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric nurses are uniquely trained in behavioral therapy, allowing them to provide support and education to their patients struggling with their psychiatric diagnoses.
Psychiatric nurses can work in a multitude of environments, from psychiatric institutions to smaller clinics and psychiatrist offices. Psychiatric nurses monitor patients very closely and engage in short and long-term care. They have the option of specializing in a certain type of patient or condition, which can make a difference in the quality of care. While psychiatric nursing can be rewarding, it can also be difficult and dangerous, as many psychiatric patients’ behavior can be unpredictable.
Hospice
Everybody dies, that’s just a fact of life. Unfortunately, some deaths are more painful and drawn-out than others. Hospice nurses care for patients at the end of their lives. The role of a hospice nurse is to make a patient as comfortable as possible as their life draws to a close. Hospice nurses monitor their patient’s physical symptoms, but their true role is providing much-needed emotional support. Hospice nurses build special relationships with the patient’s family, offering support and guidance in uncertain and troubling times.
Oncology
Cancer sucks. Nobody wants to think about their body attacking itself, but it happens to approximately 1.7 million people each year. Oncology nurses treat patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, administering chemotherapy and other medicines, performing blood transfusions, monitoring patient health, and assisting with other radiological treatments of cancer. Oncology nurses work alongside oncologists to manage and treat this life-threatening condition. Oncology nurses spend a large amount of time with their patients and work tirelessly to improve their patients’ quality of life.
Correctional
There are nearly 14,000 incarcerated individuals in the state of Nevada alone who will receive medical care while in correctional institutions. Correctional nurses deal with a host of medical issues from trauma to the common cold. Correctional nurses also treat chronic conditions like cancer and HIV/AIDS and provide health education to inmates in need.
Correctional nursing is a quickly growing field with a multitude of opportunities for growth. As a correctional nurse, you will provide necessary treatment to individuals who may never have had access to medical care. Correctional nurses have exceptional assessment skills and monitor inmate health from booking to release. Correctional nurses have the opportunity to develop new and innovative methods of treating patients, prioritizing safety and efficiency. Correctional nurses work in smaller teams and are more independent, allowing for more hands-on experience and greater professional growth.
More information and additional nursing specialties can be found at discovernursing.com.
What to Do Next
Now that you’re aware of some interesting and lesser-known nursing niches, you may be wondering how to make your new dream a reality. First, you will need to determine your educational path. Do you want to get a Nursing Diploma/Certificate, Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)? As with almost any career path, the more advanced the degree, the more numbers to the left of the decimal point on your paycheck. A Nursing Diploma will be the quickest way to enter the field of nursing, but leaves you open to very few opportunities straight out of college. An ASN will provide you with adequate training and education to begin your nursing career, but there are still some specialties that require a BSN or more advanced degree. A BSN will certainly open doors for you. Many specialties, like oncology nursing will require a minimum of a BSN in addition to the nursing licensure that you will need to supplement any education. This bachelors in nursing at GMercyU is a good example of a typical BSN course, and shows you what you would likely be studying as part of your nursing education.
Regardless of which education path you choose, know that becoming a nurse today will be setting yourself up for a successful future, as job outlook within the field of nursing is expected to grow approximately 16 percent by the year 2024. Whether you look for nursing programs in Las Vegas or in smaller, less metropolitan areas, the field of nursing is ripe to explore for anyone looking for a rewarding career full of growth.