Nursing

What can I do with a Major in Nursing?

Staff Nursing

Job Types

• Pediatrics
• Surgical
• Emergency
• Critical Care
• Maternity
• Women’s Health
• Newborn Intensive Care
• Cancer Treatment
• Psychiatric/Mental Health
• Operating Room/Recovery Room
• Occupational 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

Job Types

• 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

Job Types

• 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

• Gain 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

Job Types

• 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

Job Types

• 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
• HMOs
• 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

Job Types

• Insurance: Underwriting and Claims
• Sales
• Product Management
• Quality Assurance
• Writing
• Law
• Healthcare Administration
• Information Management
• Patient Advocacy
• Forensic Nursing

Employers

• Insurance companies
• Hospitals
• HMOs
• 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.

Strategies for Placement in Nursing

• 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 VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

Nursing Resources

• National Student Nurses’ Association
• Careers in Nursing from American Nurses Association
• Nursing Network