6 Unique Nursing Specialties That Can Propel Your Career In Unexpected Directions

Nurses are essential to the healthcare industry and fulfill a number of roles, such as educators, technical experts, and counselors. They are also the first professionals a patient encounters when they enter a health facility. 

Nursing has evolved significantly in the past decade and continues to do so. Due to its continuous growth, it has produced many new specialties, created new jobs, and offered opportunities for career advancement. As nurses enter new fields, they have the opportunity to make a change in their career or grow in a particular field, polish their skills to the next level, and offer better patient care. Training and education, therefore, determine a candidate’s eligibility to pursue their preferred field. 

Even though some positions require extensive experience, they also make climbing up the career ladder much easier. The market offers so many possibilities today that you can steer your career in unexpected directions. The following are the top 6 non-traditional nursing specialties that will assist you in choosing the right career.

1. Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners have more autonomy than registered nurses and can even run their practice in some states. With advanced degrees such as Masters of Nursing Nurse Practitioner, they can take on tasks generally associated with a physician. From diagnosing conditions to prescribing medications, NPs are licensed to perform a wide range of duties. In rural areas where access to healthcare is limited, nurse practitioners are often the primary medical care provider. 

As a nurse practitioner, you can find work in emergency rooms, physician’s offices, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and even schools. In an effort to avoid burnout from long work hours, a few online nurse practitioner companies offer part-time positions as well as flexible schedules.

2. Nurse Educator

Nursing educators are responsible for preparing the next generation of nurses. Their role is to promote continual improvement of clinical standards through lectures, training, and discussions. In order to pursue this job, you must first become a registered nurse. After gaining experience in the healthcare industry, you can pursue an advanced degree.

Nurse educators are responsible for delivering lessons in classrooms and clinical settings, evaluating the performance of students, and supervising nurses under their guidance. Besides teaching in hospitals, they can also conduct lectures at colleges and universities. Furthermore, NE can conduct research studies to enhance existing knowledge on medical issues and other health-related issues.

3. Crew Nurse

As a crew nurse, you will have the opportunity to explore new places and sail in crystal blue waters. They provide medical care as part of a yacht crew in cases of emergencies or accidents. Crew nurses typically provide routine medical care and CPR training to other crew members. They’re also responsible for stocking and administering medication to members on board.

A chartered yacht company typically employs only one crew nurse, so you must also attend to any critical patients on board. Whenever there is a need for advanced medical care, it will be up to you to ensure the patient’s comfort until the ship can anchor.

4. Camp Nurse

Nursing in camps outdoors can be an excellent experience for someone facing burnout or seeking a change of scenery. Generally speaking, these are summer camps or other camps for specific groups of people, such as cancer patients or people with disabilities. Camps are generally located in the wilderness away from hospitals and clinics, so it is imperative that a qualified health professional accompany them. A camp nurse ensures that all members are healthy enough to join the group and do not require any advanced medical treatment before a camping trip starts. In addition, they are responsible for handling any accidents, injuries, or illnesses that might occur during camp.

A nurse with experience in pediatrics or urgent care is a good candidate for camp nursing. They’re better prepared for emergencies and can work independently to deal with any medical situation.

5. Clinical Writer

Nursing professionals with good writing skills can educate their readers by sharing their personal experiences and knowledge. The purpose of a clinical writer can be to impart knowledge and skills to other health professionals or to spread awareness about certain topics to the general public. Based on their experience in the healthcare industry, they can advocate for patients in need. The words of someone who has worked through the same process are more valuable than textbook information.

Clinical writers often work remotely and aren’t limited to working in one sitting. Depending on their audience, these nurses choose the right terminology, set the right tone, and let their words do the talking.

6. Legal Witness

Nurse practitioners make excellent expert witnesses in medical-legal cases, something not many people are aware of. The level of experience they have in the medical field provides them with an educated, objective opinion that will assist the court in making a decision regarding a legal claim.

During medical malpractice litigations, health care professionals and solicitors must rely heavily on each other for information exchange. Medical education can make you a very valuable expert legal witness in this partnership.

Conclusion

Advanced nursing degrees can lead to a variety of out-of-the-box careers. Many people aren’t suited for hospitals or clinical settings, luckily, there are several other opportunities available. Prior to starting your career, it’s essential to identify which setting is right for you. This will benefit both you and your patients. 

Read Also: How Nurse Practitioners Can Help Address Health Disparities?