DiversityNursing Blog

When people think of Nursing, the image that often comes to mind is that of a Nurse at the bedside, providing direct patient care. While bedside Nursing is a critical and rewarding part of the profession, it's not the only path available. There are numerous non-bedside Nursing roles that offer unique challenges, opportunities for growth, and the ability to make a significant impact in healthcare. Here are some exciting non-bedside Nursing careers to consider:

Nurse Educator

Role: Nurse Educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nursing by teaching and mentoring Nursing students and current Nurses. They work in academic settings, such as universities and colleges, as well as in hospitals and healthcare organizations.

Responsibilities:

• Developing curricula and teaching courses
• Conducting and publishing research
• Advising and mentoring students
• Staying current with Nursing trends and practices

Skills Needed: Strong clinical background, teaching skills, communication, and a passion for education.

Nurse Informaticist

Role: Nurse Informaticists bridge the gap between Nursing and technology. They focus on improving patient care by optimizing information management and communication technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Implementing and managing electronic health records (EHR)
• Analyzing data to improve patient outcomes
• Training staff on new technologies
• Collaborating with IT professionals to develop and refine healthcare software

Skills Needed: Technical proficiency, analytical skills, project management, and an understanding of clinical workflows.

Nurse Researcher

Role: Nurse Researchers conduct studies to improve patient care, develop new treatments, and advance the field of Nursing science.

Responsibilities:

• Designing and conducting research studies
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Publishing findings in scientific journals
• Securing funding through grants

Skills Needed: Analytical thinking, research methodology, statistical analysis, and writing skills.

Nurse Administrator

Role: Nurse Administrators oversee Nursing staff and manage the operations of healthcare facilities. They ensure patients receive high-quality care and the facility runs efficiently.

Responsibilities:

• Managing budgets and resources
• Developing policies and procedures
• Hiring and training staff
• Ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations

Skills Needed: Leadership, organizational skills, financial acumen, and a comprehensive understanding of healthcare systems.

Nurse Consultant

Role: Nurse Consultants provide expert advice to healthcare organizations, helping them improve processes, policies, and patient care practices.

Responsibilities:

• Analyzing healthcare practices and recommending improvements
• Training staff on best practices
• Conducting audits and evaluations
• Advising on legal and ethical issues in healthcare

Skills Needed: Expertise in a specific area of Nursing, problem-solving skills, communication, and the ability to work independently.

Nurse Health Coach

Role: Nurse Health Coaches work with individuals to help them achieve their health goals through personalized coaching and support.

Responsibilities:

• Assessing clients' health status and needs
• Developing and implementing personalized health plans
• Providing education and motivation to clients
• Monitoring progress and adjusting plans as needed

Skills Needed: Strong interpersonal skills, motivational interviewing, knowledge of wellness and prevention strategies, and empathy.

Nurse Case Manager

Role: Nurse Case Managers coordinate care for patients, especially those with chronic conditions or complex medical needs, to ensure they receive comprehensive and efficient care.

Responsibilities:

• Assessing patients' needs and developing care plans
• Coordinating services and resources
• Monitoring patients' progress
• Advocating for patients and families

Skills Needed: Organizational skills, understanding of healthcare systems, patient advocacy, and the ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

Nursing offers a diverse array of career paths beyond the bedside, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Whether you're interested in education, technology, research, administration, consulting, coaching, or case management, there's a non-bedside Nursing role that can suit your skills and passions. By exploring these opportunities, you can find a fulfilling career that allows you to make a significant impact on the healthcare system and the lives of patients in a different capacity.

Within the vast world of healthcare, Nurses serve as beacons of compassion, knowledge, and strength.They are the unsung heroes, the caregivers who hold the hands of the sick, the healers who bring comfort in times of distress. Nursing is not merely a profession; it's a calling, a commitment to serve humanity with unwavering dedication. In this article, we explore the profound reasons why Nursing is not just a career choice but a way of life.

Making a Difference Every Day

Every day a Nurse brings the opportunity to create a meaningful impact in someone's life. Whether it involves administering medication, providing comfort to a distressed patient, or advocating for their needs, Nurses play a crucial role in the healing journey. The gratitude in a patient's eyes, the sigh of relief from a worried family member - these moments reinforce the significant influence Nurses have on the lives of the people in their care.

Opportunities for Growth

The field of Nursing is a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Such as, delving into specialized areas like Pediatrics and Oncology or taking on roles in education, research, and administration. Nurses have the freedom to carve out diverse career paths tailored to their passions and ambitions. The essence of continuous learning is deeply ingrained in Nursing, with avenues for pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, and specialized training readily accessible. 

Building Meaningful Connections

At the heart of Nursing lies the art of building meaningful connections with patients and their loved ones. Nurses often find themselves in intimate moments, offering not just medical care, but also emotional support and empathy. These connections foster trust, compassion, and understanding, creating a therapeutic environment essential for healing and recovery. Nurses also forge deep connections with their colleagues, forming a strong network of support and camaraderie that enhances teamwork and collaboration.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

In the world of Nursing, Diversity isn't just welcomed - it's celebrated with open arms. Nurses have the privilege of working with individuals from all walks of life, embracing cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences. This Diversity enriches the Nursing profession, providing a deeper understanding of global health disparities and the unique needs of diverse populations. As advocates for health equity, Nurses play a crucial role in addressing disparities and promoting inclusive healthcare practices.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

Despite the challenges that come with the territory, such as enduring long hours and navigating emotionally taxing situations, it is during these very moments of adversity the true essence of Nursing radiates most brightly. Nurses showcase unparalleled resilience, standing unwavering in the face of obstacles, and persisting with a blend of grace and fortitude that sets them apart. This resilience forms the core of Nursing, serving as a guiding light that inspires others to walk in their footsteps.

A Lifelong Journey of Learning and Discovery

In the world of Nursing, the journey of learning is an endless exploration, a continuous quest for knowledge and growth. From keeping up with the latest advancements in healthcare to perfecting clinical skills and sharpening critical thinking abilities, Nurses embrace a lifelong commitment to mastering their profession. Each interaction with a patient offers a chance to expand knowledge, deepen empathy, and enhance practice, making every day a new opportunity for discovery and personal development.

Being a Nurse is more than just a job—it's a privilege, a profound journey of service, compassion, and growth. It's about touching lives, making a difference, and leaving a lasting mark on the world. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, the rewards of Nursing are immeasurable. So, to all the Nurses out there, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your boundless compassion, and your tireless commitment to healing. You are the heartbeat of healthcare, and the world is a better place because of you.

If you're looking to return to school for a Nurse Practitioner degree, you may wonder what specialty track you should choose. Choosing a specialty track will determine the type of education you will receive and the type of patients you will be qualified to give care. Here is a guide to some of the most common Nurse Practitioner specialties so you can learn their differences.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The Family Nurse Practitioner track may be the most versatile degree route for potential NPs. The FNP degree prepares you to care for people across the lifespan, from childhood into adulthood. A Family Nurse Practitioner degree allows you to work in various settings, including primary care, family medicine, emergency care, pediatrics, women's health, and so much more.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners care for children from infancy through adolescence into early adulthood. Pediatric care can be challenging, so PNPs must be highly skilled and educated to provide the best care to the smallest of patients and their parents.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners often work in pediatric outpatient clinics and in the hospital or pediatric specialties like cardiology or endocrinology.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Specializing in psychiatric care has become a popular and sought-after specialty for Nurse Practitioners. PMNHPs have a versatile education resume in psychiatric care, making them eligible to work in outpatient clinics, inpatient units, addiction clinics, and home care.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners complete coursework and clinical hours to prepare them to care for adults and the elderly in primary care. A-GNPs work in the primary or long-term care setting, providing care to adults as they age.

After obtaining a license as an A-GNP, you can also work in specialty areas like dermatology or cardiology if the patients are of adult age.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

If you are passionate about caring for babies, the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner route may be right for you. NNPs are highly trained and have the skills to care for high-risk, vulnerable newborns. NNPs primarily work in the neonatal intensive care unit inside the hospital, but others can work in outpatient clinics or the emergency department.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners specialize in women's health issues ranging from adolescence through the end of life. Caring for women's health issues includes every aspect of obstetrics, gynecology, and sexual health.

As an NP specializing in women's health, you will be responsible for providing women with specialized and quality care. WHNPs work in various settings, including outpatient clinics and labor and delivery.

How Long Does It Take to Become A Nurse Practitioner

Despite your chosen course of study, most Nurse Practitioner programs take somewhere between 2-3 years to complete. Once you have completed your master's degree program in your chosen area of study, you will sit for a certification board exam held by the state where you plan to practice.

After you’ve passed this test, you will apply for a license to practice in your state. Once all these things are completed, you can begin practicing as an NP.

Why Become A Nurse Practitioner?

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner will provide you with advanced clinical training and open the door to diverse and exciting career opportunities. Nurse Practitioners of all specialties are in high demand, offering job stability, career advancement opportunities, and job satisfaction.

Ultimately, the decision to become a Nurse Practitioner is personal. Nurse Practitioners must have the drive, skill, and compassion to care for people across the lifespan and continue to strive to provide all patients with the best quality care.

Are you considering furthering your education? Is a PhD a goal of yours? This article will give you good information and some terrific role models. It also encourages you to go for your PhD sooner, rather than later.

As our population continues to grow and people live longer, the need for Nurses with their DNP or PhD must increase as well. Perhaps your goal is to be a Nurse Educator, Researcher, or you want to look at the big picture and design ways to achieve better patient outcomes. There are many paths you can take. It’s up to you.

The Institute of Medicine’s Report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” states nurses should be encouraged to pursue doctoral degrees early in their careers to maximize the potential value of their additional education. I finished my PhD in nursing when I was 30 years old. Several people told me I didn’t have enough clinical nursing experience to continue with my education. Why some nurses feel the need to hold others back from continuing their education is beyond me.

The fact is, some of the most respected contributors to our profession obtained their PhDs early in their careers. Here is only a partial list of these amazing nurses: Jacqueline Fawcett, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Massachusetts, received her PhD 12 years after completing her BSN. She is internationally known for her metatheoretical work in nursing.

• Jean Watson, PHD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, earned her PhD 12 years after earning her initial nursing degree. She is the founder of the Watson Caring Science Institute and is an American Academy of Nursing Living Legend.

• Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, earned her PhD seven years after obtaining her BS in 1961. She is an internationally renowned nurse-researcher and an AAN Living Legend.

• Margaret Newman, PhD, RN, FAAN, obtained her BSN in 1962 and her PhD in 1971. She is the creator of the Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and an AAN Living Legend.

Are you thinking about going back to school? Has someone encouraged you to consider it? The Future of Nursing report notes that major changes in the U.S. healthcare system and practice environment will require profound changes in the education of nurses. But the report also notes that the primary goal of nursing education remains the same, which is to educate nurses to meet diverse patient needs, function as leaders and advance science from the associate’s degree to the doctorate degree.

One of the recommendations of the Future of Nursing report was to double the number of nurses with doctoral degrees by 2020, and by 2016 that recommendation had been met mainly due to the creation of the DNP or doctor of nursing practice degree. Knowing this, the IOM’s Assessing Progress on the IOM Report the Future of Nursing updated their recommendations in 2015 stating that more emphasis should be placed on increasing the number of PhD-prepared nurses. The DNP has been regarded as the degree for those who want to get a terminal degree in nursing practice while the PhD has been regarded as the degree for those wanting to do research. But the difference is not that simple.

"Several people told me I didn’t have enough clinical nursing experience to continue with my education. Why some nurses feel the need to hold others back from continuing their education is beyond me.”

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “rather than a knowledge-generating research effort, the student in a practice-focused program generally carries out a practice application-oriented final DNP project.” The AACN further notes key differences between the DNP and PhD programs. PhD programs prepare RNs to contribute to healthcare improvements via the development of new knowledge and scholarly products that provide a foundation for the advancement of nursing science. A richer more reflective understanding of the PhD in nursing is that it is heavily grounded in the science and philosophy of knowledge. DNP programs, on the other hand, prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. A PhD-prepared nurse can contribute to the profession through research, creating new nursing theories or through a focus on national, global system level change and public policy.

I have had many conversations with nurses looking to go back to school who say they don’t want to do research. However, in further discussion on what they really want to do and the problems they want to solve, it becomes clear that the PhD is the best track for them. Also, you don’t need to be a nurse practitioner to get a PhD; there are many PhD-prepared RNs like myself. For those who want to become a nurse practitioner or other advance practice registered nurse, there are dual DNP/PhD programs just as there are MD/PhD programs for individuals looking for both the practice and research education.

As you can guess, I didn’t listen to the naysayers. I knew as a nurse I could make the largest impact for patients and nurses by getting my PhD in nursing (majoring in health systems and minoring in public administration). Does having a PhD make me a better nurse than anyone else? No. I am a different type of a nurse who knew what I needed to do to make my unique contribution to our profession. I started as an LPN and then became an associate’s degree RN. I worked full time while going to school full time. I also completed a BSN-PhD program, which I started at age 25, four years after I became an RN. I have been an RN for 20 years — PhD-prepared for almost 11 years. Earning my PhD was the best decision in my professional career.