Nurses are a crucial pillar of our healthcare industry. They hold an incredible amount of burden on their shoulders and serve people with utmost loyalty. They are not only responsible for taking care of the patient but also play a huge role in treatment planning as well. Not only that, but nurses are also the very first people who interact with the patient in any hospital. They also communicate with the patients’ families and carry out other essential roles in a healthcare facility.
But unfortunately, many of us are unaware of the long journey nurses have to build careers for them. From years of education to long duties, we have to appreciate their efforts in their careers. Another sad reality that we fail to recognize their importance in the healthcare industry, knowing how noble this profession is.
Nursing enthusiasts are often misled with wrong information. But the truth is, there are bright career prospects for nurses with higher education. So, if you’re a nursing student or an aspiring nurse, then keep on reading!
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Nurses who pursue higher education in their relevant field get many career options. And out of many of them, a nurse anesthetist is one of the best ones. It is a high-paying job and helps move up the ladder of success. However, to become a CRNA, you have to invest a considerable amount of time. Usually, nursing students first complete their bachelors’ and gain their license to practice. After that, they acquire further education either by doing a masters’ or doctorate in relevant subjects. Finally, after receiving a terminal degree in nursing, they are allowed to work as anesthetists.
Some of the duties of a CRNA include looking after the patients when they are going through harsh surgical treatments. In addition, they are responsible for inducing anesthesia before surgical procedures, maintaining it during the surgery, and wearing it off afterward.
Even though the path to this career takes time, it is all worth it in the end. So, if you like to work in a hospital setting and enjoy a challenging job, you should consider this option.
- Nurse midwife
Another significant career prospect for professional nurses with higher education levels includes midwife nursing. Midwives have always been an essential part of our health community who contribute to our people.
From helping the mothers in their pregnancy to making the labor procedure easier for them, nurses must handle even more complex responsibilities.
To become a nurse-midwife, students have to complete their masters’ programs. After that, they have to pass the midwifery license exam to practice as a professional midwife. But their education journey doesn’t stop here. They have to keep learning new techniques to stay updated in their practice. Indeed, this career holds essential value in our world.
- Nurse case manager
Nurse case managers are one of the under-appreciated careers in our society. But the truth is, they are an essential part of our healthcare sector. Nurse case managers are responsible for taking care of patients with chronic illnesses.
For example, people who suffer from incapacitating diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s find it challenging to continue their day-to-day routines. In such cases, nurse managers ensure that these patients receive proper care. In addition, they make long-term medical plans for such patients and schedule their appointments for doctors.
Not only that, but nurse case managers also visit these patients to check on them regularly. They also ensure that their patients are taking medications on time and showing predicted signs of improvement.
If you want to become a nurse case manager, know that your journey will be long, and you’ll need a lot of experience. But once you earn your Master’s in a relevant field, you can practice as an RN case manager and serve your community.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
One of the most known and reputable careers in nursing includes a family nurse practitioner. It is a great career option for any nurse who is fond of families and children. To become a family nurse practitioner, students have to follow a similar path as any other terminal degree program.
First, they need a bachelor’s and then a masters’ degree in nursing; after that, they must earn their registration in family nursing from the American Nursing Credentialing Centre (ANCC). Once they get their license to practice, they can work in any clinic or hospital to provide their services.
Some of the many job responsibilities of a family nurse include taking history, making a diagnosis, and helping the physicians in treatments.
In a nutshell
We can never deny the value of nurses in our society. They are responsible for carrying out some of the essential jobs in any healthcare facility. Nurses study for years and work long duty hours to make our world a better place.
Above, we’ve discussed some career prospects for nurses who aspire for higher education in this noble field. If you’re also a nursing student, look up these options, and choose what you think might be the right choice for you.