YOU CHOOSE: 28 CAREERS THAT EVERY RN SHOULD …Then, as you learn where your strengths lie, you can choose the ideal MSN or DNP program to prepare you for your chosen career path

YOU CHOOSE: 28 CAREERS THAT EVERY RN SHOULD CONSIDER

Whether you dream of a clinical specialty, a non-traditional nursing role away from the bedside or an office in the executive suite, you can get there from here! Your nursing license is the starting point for a rewarding career in the specialty of your choice – and a degree from American Sentinel is the golden ticket that will get you there. Inside are 28 jobs that you may have never considered – but one of them might be just right for you.

www.americansentinel.edu

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Specialty

Section I: Clinical Specialties

Section II: Community - or Population-based Specialties

Section III: Operational / Managerial Specialties

Section IV: Technological Specialties

Section V: Business-related Specialties

About American Sentinel University 46


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INTRODUCTION

As healthcare grows more complex, many nurses are deciding to focus their efforts on a particular specialty area. Those who specialize find it comes with many benefits, including increased respect and recognition, greater job security, and enhanced career satisfaction.

In this regard, nurses are very fortunate – there are few other professions that come with as many career choices as nursing. No matter what type of personality you have, you can find a specialization that aligns with your interests, career goals, and income requirements. You can stay close to the bedside or choose a job with little to no patient contact. You can work in a hospital or in a community setting. You can seek out a career that combines nursing science with another area of interest, like law, education, or computers. You can move into middle management or the executive suite, and you can even own your own business.

Your RN license and a few years of clinical experience will form the foundation you need to branch off in any direction. Yet, nurses who have their eye on a particular nursing specialty will need a plethora of new knowledge, as well as skills in strategizing, problem-solving, and forming collaborative relationships. This is where education comes in to play, as your passport to the career of your dreams.

In this e-book, you’ll find 28 exciting careers that relate to a degree program offered in a flexible, online format by American Sentinel University.

The BSN advantage For nurses who have the urge to transform their careers, move up the ladder, or take on new responsibilities, a B.S. Nursing (BSN) is an essential first step. While a nursing diploma or ADN provides the basic technical skills necessary for safe and effective patient care, a good RN to BSN program will build on those skills in a way that encourages critical thinking. It can open minds to new ideas and new models of care – resulting in the highest possible standard of patient care that you’re able to provide.

If you’ve noticed that more job ads are saying “BSN preferred,” you already know that credentials matter to employers. Earning a BSN shows prospective employers that you are serious about making nursing your career, rather than just a job. It can ensure that you have options and that all doors are open to you. Nurses who wish to develop strong clinical expertise around a specific type of medical condition or patient population often find that earning a BSN helps them to advance.


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Clinical specialties you might choose to pursue include:

Ambulatory care nurse

Cardiac care nurse

Critical care nurse

Dermatology nurse

Diabetes nurse

Dialysis nurse

Gastroenterology nurse

Genetics nurse

Geriatrics nurse

Hematology nurse

Home health nurse

Hospice nurse

Infusion nurse

Labor and delivery nurse

Long term care nurse

Medical-surgical unit nurse

Neonatal intensive care nurse

Nephrology nurse

Oncology nurse

Ophthalmology nurse

Orthopedics nurse

Pediatrics nurse

Plastic surgery nurse

Poison information specialist

Psychiatric nurse

Pulmonary care nurse

Radiology nurse

Rheumatology nurse

Trauma nurse

Wound and ostomy care nurse

In these areas, a BSN plus professional certification will position you as a dedicated clinician and give you a better chance at job promotions that come with higher salaries and more rewarding challenges.

Yet a BSN can also prepare you for a leadership role or a career away from the bedside. Your coursework will provide you with a broader perspective of healthcare systems, policies, and economics in a way that can allow you to “connect the dots” between clinical nursing practice and the overall business and day-to-day operations of healthcare – which can potentially open doors for you and help you find the career of your choice.

American Sentinel offer a traditional coursed-based BSN and a competency based BSN program called SIMPath®

This e-book describes a number of nursing specialties that fall outside the realm of traditional patient care and are open to BSN-prepared nurses.


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The MSN perspective Higher education can prepare you for a job in a highly specialized area of nursing, like case management, informatics or infection control. These specialties require advanced skills in areas that are critical to hospital operations. They also require strategizing, collaborative relationships, and a multi-dimensional approach to tackling a problem (like preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions or discovering the source of an infection outbreak, for example). Critical thinking forms the foundation of these and many other specialties – and it’s one of the essential skills you’ll gain from an M.S.Nursing (MSN) degree program.

For ambitious nurses interested in a career in management, an MSN is also a must. There are a variety of reasons why nurses decide to move into management. Some are eager for new challenges, along with a desire for more recognition and a higher salary. Others see the big picture when it comes to patient care, and would like to be in a position to influence nursing practice from the top down. This desire to improve and reach for a higher level of excellence is an intrinsic trait for leaders. When you’re not content with the status quo for yourself, it’s likely you’ll also work hard to raise the status quo for colleagues and for patients. This can translate into a vision for a better health care system, through initiatives for disease management, community outreach, public health, and patient safety.

But the move from clinical practice to management represents a huge change and requires a new skill set. Consider this: many RNs have received no training at all in leadership skills. (In contrast, leadership principles are routinely taught in business schools). Your MSN coursework will give you the background you need to excel as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and as a capable nursing leader. When you acquire a broader view of healthcare, from a systems and policy perspective, you equip yourself to make strategic decisions at the managerial level.

This e-book describes a number of nursing careers that directly relate to the MSN programs offered by American Sentinel University. It also points out career paths that might be enhanced by obtaining an MSN, even though they are open to BSN-prepared nurses.

American Sentinel offers an MSN with seven specializations:

Infection Prevention & ControlCase ManagementFamily Nurse PractitionerNursing EducationAdult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse PractitionerNursing InformaticsNursing Management & Organizational Leadership


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The DNP edge When the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its landmark report, The Future of Nursing, it recommended doubling the number of doctorally-prepared nurses by 2020. The report stressed the importance of nurses having more educational parity with other members of the healthcare team, like physicians and pharmacists, who are educated at the post-graduate level.

American Sentinel has designed its four Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree specialty tracks to meet the needs of an evolving healthcare system. Specifically, we hoped to help fill a gap in nursing leadership. That’s why we developed a DNP program track that’s focused on executive leadership, designed to build strategic business skills and make nurses highly marketable; and a DNP specialization that’s focused on educational leadership, designed to develop the six key competencies most needed by today’s nursing school deans and professors. We also offer an Informatics Leadership and Professional Leadership specialization.

This e-book describes several nursing career paths that would be enhanced by one of American Sentinel’s DNP degree programs

About professional certification Many nursing specialties have developed certification programs that recognize nurses who have achieved a higher level of specialized knowledge, hands-on experience, and clinical judgment. Certifications are awarded to nurses who have passed an exam and met requirements for a certain level of formal education or number of hours in clinical practice. While certification is largely voluntary, many employers either prefer or require it. As a voluntary process, certification highlights a nurse’s commitment to career development and personal growth – which is highly attractive to many employers.

Becoming certified can not only boost your career and your salary, but can give you a sense of personal accomplishment and greater confidence as well. It can benefit your patients, your employer, and your colleagues, by confirming that your skills and knowledge have been assessed and validated. When you renew your certification at the prescribed intervals, you ensure that you are up-to-date and current on all the latest developments in your specialty – which elevates the status of the entire nursing profession.


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Average salary rangesIn general, becoming proficient in a nursing specialty has tremendous potential to increase your salary. Remember, however, that salary ranges can vary widely from town to town and state to state. They are also affected by the number of years of experience you have, your education level, and the type of specialty you decide to pursue. If you’d like to research typical salary ranges before you choose a specialty, you can start with the wage database that is compiled and updated each year by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can also search online career sites like Monster and CareerBuilder for actual job listings, to see what employers are offering. The website Salary.com offers typical salary ranges for many different nursing specialties, and allows users to refine results by plugging in their location. This e-book does not include salary ranges for the job specialties it describes.

Getting startedThere is no shortage of exciting nursing specialties to choose from. This e-book does not include all of them. Instead, it is designed to highlight the careers that are best supported by American Sentinel’s degree programs, and to get you thinking about the next stage in your career. The included careers are organized into general categories that have a great deal of overlap, so please browse the entire book.

Are you on the fence about what to specialize in? If something you read in these pages piques your interest about a particular specialty, consider starting with a continuing education course or webinar to explore your passion for that specialty area. And remember, you can’t go wrong with a BSN – it is guaranteed to increase your options and open doors for you. Then, as you learn where your strengths lie, you can choose the ideal MSN or DNP program to prepare you for your chosen career path.

Education has the power to expand your horizons. It’s very much like foreign travel in this regard – you simply can’t visit another culture and not feel changed in some way. Your viewpoints and outlook on life quite naturally change when you have more information and experiences to draw from, so in this way education is transformational. It can allow you to have the career of your dreams.

Are you ready? Let’s get started!


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1. Your personality and interests. Every nursing specialty comes with its ownpace and environment – try to choose one that complements yourpersonal style, so you’ll fit in comfortably and be able to work at youroptimum level. Do you thrive on an adrenaline rush, constant challenges,and expecting the unexpected? Maybe a trauma center or emergencydepartment is the place for you. On the other hand, if you’re detail-oriented and methodical, a career in clinical research might suit you. Youmight also consider what you’re drawn to outside of work: do you lovechildren or have an interest in nutrition? There are nursing specialties thatwill allow you to combine many kinds of personal interests with yourcareer.

2. The job role. This is a natural tie-in with your personality type. If you’recomfortable in the role of a leader, you may make a great nurse manageror even rise to the ranks of nursing executive leadership. Do you want towork closely with patients in a “high touch” role, or would you prefer to beaway from the bedside? There are many nursing specialties that allow youto use your clinical knowledge without engaging in direct patient care– like case management, education, infection control, and informatics.

3. The job setting. Nurses work in many non-hospital settings, includingschools, public health departments, correctional facilities, industrial jobsites, rescue helicopters, research labs, and more. Even if you choose amore traditional hospital job, you’ll want to consider the setting before youchoose a clinical specialty – there are vast differences between theintensive care unit, delivery room, and psychiatric ward in terms of pace,environment, and the kinds of interactions you’ll have with patients,physicians and other caregivers.

4. Various levels of pressure. Often times, more demanding jobs come withhigher prestige (chief nursing officer) or higher salaries (certifiedregistered nurse anesthetist) – career perks that can be very rewarding forsomeone who thrives on meeting challenges head on. But how muchstress can you manage? Can you handle being on call 24/7, perhaps as asurgical nurse on a transplant team? Long or irregular hours can result notonly in job stress, but also the strain of juggling work with home and family– so it may be wise to consider your existing support system beforechoosing a high-pressure specialty.

5. Typical salary ranges. If you’re very ambitious about making more moneythan the average floor nurse, you can aim for an executive position orchoose an in-demand clinical specialty with a high salary potential – youcan find lists of the highest paying nursing specialties online. But again,you’ll have to balance the financial rewards with the higher demands thatwill be placed on you, and the fact that you’ll likely need to attain higherlevels of nursing education.

TEN THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A NURSING SPECIALTY


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6. Special qualifications or certifications. Many specialties require nurses that have specific skills, training, and certifications. If you choose one of these, you can expect to spend a good amount of time advancing your professional education, building skills, and studying for certification exams. Once you’re certified, there may be annual requirements you’ll have to meet to maintain your status. But in the long run, it may very well be worth it – certified nurses are recognized and respected and often earn higher salaries.

7. Location and job market. In general, the job market is excellent for nurses with a specialization. If you don’t want to relocate however, you’ll have to choose a field that is currently in demand where you live now – when you get farther outside the big cities, you may not be able to practice in certain specialties. If you’re considering advanced practice nursing, you may also want to take a look at the licensure requirements of the state you live in. Some states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently, while many require direct physician supervision.

8. Your relationship with technology. Not everyone is tech-savvy. Butif you’ve studied computer science or just naturally gravitate toward technology, you should definitely consider the specialty fields of nursing informatics or telemetry.

9. Your level of engagement with people. Let’s face it, some nurses are naturally introverted or just don’t take pleasure in constantly meeting new people. Maybe you’re not really a “people person” but you’re good with numbers, have good analytical skills, enjoy a quiet environment, or prefer to listen rather than to talk. If engaging with and advocating for patients isn’t your cup of tea, it’s possible you’ll enjoy a career as a nurse researcher, legal nurse consultant, informatics specialist, or forensics nurse. Understanding which personality subgroup you fall into may help you choose a specialty.

10. Education requirements. Nurses wanting to specialize will almost certainly need a BSN or MSN – so consider an online degree program from American Sentinel as a potential first step toward any career specialty. American Sentinel University offers accredited, online RNto BSN, RN to BSN/MSN, MSN and Nurse Practitioner degree programs with focused coursework that helps prepare nurses for a career in case management, infection prevention and control, nursing informatics, nursing education, and nursing management and organizational leadership. And for nurses that want a terminal degree that opens doors to even more opportunities, American Sentinel offers an ACEN accredited DNP program with specializations in Educational Leadership, Executive Leadership, Informatics Leadership and Professional Leadership.


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Flight nurse (Related job titles: ground transport nurse)

American Sentinel related degree program:

RN to BSN

Professional certification:

CFRN (certified flight registered nurse)

CTRN (certified transport registered nurse)

EMT (emergency medical technician)

Job description:

There are few nursing specialties as fast-paced or challenging as flight nursing. Flight nurses provide critical care to patients while working in the cramped cabin of a small plane or helicopter. They perform under tremendous pressure, working to stabilize and manage patients who are being airlifted from the scene of a roadside accident or disaster site, as well as critically ill patients who are being transferred between facilities. Because of the demands of the job, most employers require a minimum five years of experience as an emergency room or critical care nurse. In addition, flight nurses are asked to demonstrate proficiency in advanced field skills like oral intubation, placing surgical airways, mechanical ventilation, trauma life support, cardiac life support, and the use of vasoactive drugs to prevent a patient from going into shock. They may also need to know about obstetrics and delivery, neonatal resuscitation, and pediatric life support measures.

Skills required:

• Critical thinking skills

• Ability to perform with clarity under pressure

• Excellent patient assessment skills; ability to plan interventions andstabilize patients

• Proficiency with pre-hospital emergency care

• Proficiency with trauma nursing

• Proficiency with life support systems

SECTION I: CLINICAL SPECIALTIES


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• Knowledge of obstetrics nursing and neonatal resuscitation

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to operate in cramped environments

Where you’ll work:

Hospitals, trauma centers, medical transport companies

Substance abuse nurse(Related job title: substance abuse nurse practitioner)


RN to BSN

Other education options:

Graduate programs MSN leading to advanced practice certification in substance abuse


CARN (certified addictions registered nurse)

Job Description:

Since addiction is both a mental and a physical disease, substance abuse nurses are trained in both general nursing and mental health nursing. These nurses help to oversee and regulate treatment for patients addicted to narcotics, stimulants, or alcohol. They may also organize and facilitate support groups, educate patients and family members about treatment options, provide emotional support for those affected by addiction, and advocate for public policies that treat addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal justice system. Advanced practice nurses specializing in substance abuse can perform assessments on newly admitted patients in rehabilitation or detox centers, and can prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. Substance abuse nursing is a multi-faceted job that often requires collaboration with physicians, social workers or case managers.


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Skills and qualities required:

• Compassionate, empathetic personality

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills

• Patient engagement and education skills

• Specialized knowledge about the physiology and treatment of addiction

• Knowledge of mental health nursing

• Ability to manage stress, as this is a field with high rates of burnout


Mental health clinics, psychiatric wards, inpatient or outpatient treatment centers, public health agencies

Transplant coordinator (Related job title: transplant nurse, transplant procurement coordinator)


RN to BSN

Certification:

CCTC (certified clinical transplant coordinator)

CPTC (certified procurement transplant coordinator)

CCTN (certified clinical transplant nurse)

Job Description:

Transplant coordinators work with living donors or with patients who are preparing for or have received an organ transplant. They are trained to provide nursing care and support for transplant patients and to coordinate the clinical details of the transplant procedure. Tasks include taking medical histories, handling paperwork, assisting with informed consent, ordering lab tests to assess general health and confirm an organ match, and helping physicians to clear patients for surgery. Some transplant nurses with a background in perioperative nursing will assist with the actual procedure in the operating room. Others will provide specialized follow-up care, including monitoring the patient for early signs of organ rejection or complications and


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administering pain medications. Nurses who have experience in intensive care or medical-surgical nursing can often get a position as a transplant nurse before moving up to transplant coordinator. Organ procurement coordinators fill an even more specialized role: they manage all the resources necessary to facilitate the harvest and recovery of organs and tissues when a donor has been identified. They may also be called upon to support and counsel the families of brain-dead patients who may become organ donors.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Patient education and counseling skills

• Knowledge of the informed consent process and understanding ofpotential coercive pressures on living donors

• Ability to work collaboratively

• Advanced medical, technical, organizational, and problem solving skills

• Ability to perform under pressure (for organ procurement jobs)

• Ability to work extended hours and be on call

• Ability to manage stress resulting from the emotionally draining nature ofthe job

• Ability to travel as needed (for procurement jobs)

• Knowledge of blood types and HLA tissue types

• Broad understanding of legal and ethical issues involved with transplants


Hospitals, transplant facilities, tissue banks

Telehealth Nurse (Related job title: telemedicine nurse)

American Sentinel related degree

program: RN to BSN


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None at this time. The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AACN) urges telehealth nurses to become certified in ambulatory care.

Job description:

Telenursing is a growing field, fueled by the explosion of new technologies. These nurses may interact with patients over the phone, providing consultations and assessments. They may use an interactive video system to teach self-management techniques (how to change a wound dressing or give an insulin injection) or perform assessments of a physical condition, like a wound that is slow to heal. Remote patient monitoring is another growing application – through a phone line or internet connection, telenurses can obtain patient data regarding blood pressure, weight, glucose and oxygen levels and heart sounds. They can then adjust care plans, make an intervention as needed, or refer the patient to another healthcare professional.


• Technical and informatics skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, since interactions arenot face to face

• Excellent observation skills

• Patient education skills

• Patient assessment and triage skills

• Excellent clinical judgment

• Ability to work within prescribed protocols and guidelines

• Broad knowledge of ambulatory care nursing


Hospitals, clinics, managed care facilities, insurance companies, home health agencies, nursing call centers


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Nurse navigator


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN

MSN, case management specialization


None at this time.

Starting in 2016, there will be a certification process for oncology nurse navigators.

Job Description:

Nurse navigators help patients find their way through the complexities of the healthcare system. Their primary job is to remove any barriers that patients encounter, whether real or perceived. Some of the specific ways that navigators help patients include: explaining treatment options, offering emotional support, helping to manage side effects, making referrals to social service agencies, acting as a liaison with doctors, helping to set up appointments, and helping with insurance and paperwork. This level of coordination and support is especially useful to patients who face long-term illnesses or complicated treatment plans that require strict compliance. (Beginning in 2015, cancer centers are now required to provide navigation services in order to maintain their accreditation). The trend toward disease-specific navigators means that job prospects are excellent for nurses with a strong clinical background in a specific area of medicine, like cardiology or oncology. Since nurse navigators are often called upon to bridge cultural or language barriers, there may also be special job opportunities for bilingual or minority nurses with ties to a specific ethnic community.



• Patient assessment skills

• Knowledge of a specific disease process, treatment options, sideeffects, etc.


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• Compassion, empathy

• Cross-cultural and diversity awareness, particularly when working withminority or impoverished populations

• Patient advocacy skills

• Case management skills


• Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team

• Ability to provide culturally appropriate care and instruction, taking intoconsideration the patient’s traditions, history, values, and supportsystems.


Cancer centers, hospitals, cardiology and open heart surgery programs, spine and orthopedic hospitals, organ transplant programs, women’s health centers

Disease management nurse(Related job titles: diabetes nurse, HIV/AIDS nurse, health coach, wellness coach)

American Sentinel related degree programs:

RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN

MSN, case management


CCP (chronic care professional)

Job Description:

This is a relatively new specialty; it has emerged alongside the industry’s shift in focus from episodic care to wellness and prevention. It is slightly different from other clinical specialties that focus on specific conditions


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because of the emphasis on patient education and behavior modification. Disease management nurses may specialize in managing diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, dementia, or other chronic conditions – the goal is to prevent complications and hospitalizations, while improving the patient’s quality of life. These nurses also work closely with patients in areas like nutrition, exercise, managing medication side effects, making healthy lifestyle changes, medication compliance, and dealing with the psychosocial issues that may affect treatment (transportation, finances, family support, etc.)


• Ability to assess patients clinically, behaviorally, and in terms of healthliteracy

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Patient engagement and education skills, particularly in the area ofpatient self-management

• Health coaching skills (active listening, motivational interviewing, teach-back)

• Ability to formulate care plans and behavior modification plans


• Knowledge of relevant community resources and social services

• Knowledge of technologies that support and track disease managementprograms

• Knowledge of mobile apps, remote monitoring systems, and other toolsthat can help a patient with self-management

• Ability to work collaboratively and interface with other healthprofessionals to coordinate the patient’s care plan

• Empathy and compassion

• Ability to build strong relationships with patients


Clinics, private practices, insurance companies, managed care facilities


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Correctional facility nurse


RN to BSN


CCHP (certified correctional health professional)

Certification is largely voluntary, but has helped to legitimize this specialty and validate the fact that correctional nurses hold a specialized body of knowledge and skills.

Job description:

These nurses provide care for patients in prisons and juvenile detention centers. They may treat acute issues like influenza or infection, administer first aid for minor trauma, dispense medications, and monitor chronic health problems like diabetes or HIV. Correctional nurses may also be called upon to assist in the care of inmates with substance abuse or mental health issues. As in many healthcare settings, nurses in corrections facilities are the frontline care providers. They play a critical role in ensuring patient access to care, as well as in assessing, diagnosing, and treating health complaints.




• Broad knowledge of chronic disease management

• Proficiency in ambulatory care nursing

• Ability to overcome potential aversions to the setting and patientpopulation

• Ability to withstand persistent stress (from limited resources, restrictionson movement and access, and a certain type of physical environment)


Prisons, jails, penitentiaries, juvenile detention centers


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Family Nurse Practitioner

American Sentinel related degree program: MSN, family nurse practitioner


State APRN LicensureNational CertificationCheck with state regulatoryagency for the most up-to-date information.

Job Description:

Nurse Practitioners can prescribe medication, examine patients, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, much like a physician for patients aged infant to elderly. Family Nurse Practitioners provide care to patients of all ages. They are proficient in pediatric, adolescent and geriatric issues.

Skills and abilities required:• Clinical skills


• Listening skills

• Time management skills

• Critical thinking and reasoning

• Relationship building skills

• Decision making and problem-solving skills


Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, office practices, managed care organizations and hospitals. They also deliver care in rural areas, urban community health centers, college campuses, worksite employee health centers and other locations.

Approximately 15% of all Nurse Practitioners have their own private practices.


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Professional patient advocate (Related job title: medical billing advocate)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN

MSN, case management


Certificate programs and continuing education courses in patient advocacy


None

Job Description:

Patient advocates usually work directly for healthcare consumers, helping them to navigate the complex healthcare system. They may be self-employed or they may be employed by an agency that assigns them to clients. The primary goal of a patient advocate is to improve the patient experience and ensure that patients and their families have a voice in their care. Patient advocates can help resolve insurance and billing problems, facilitate better communication between patients and physicians, and help to assure treatments are medically necessary and appropriate for the client. They support and empower patients to make educated medical decisions according to their own personal values.




• Cross-cultural communication and diversity awareness skills

• Broad knowledge of disease paths, treatment options, etc.

• Knowledge of geriatric medicine, if working with elderly clients

• Problem solving skills

• Knowledge of community resources and social services

• Knowledge of Medicare and private insurance polices

• Knowledge of medical billing practices and the ability to audita bill (for duplicate charges, uncommonly high charges, etc.)


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Adult Gerontology Nurse PractitionerAmerican Sentinel related degree program:

MSN, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner


State APRN licensureNational CertificationCheck with state regulatory agency for the most up-to-date information

Job Description:

Nurse Practitioners examine patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe medication much like a physician. Adult gerontology nurse practitioners specialize in treating an adolescent and adult population.

Skills and qualities required:• Clinical skills


• Listening skills

• Time management skills

• Critical thinking and reasoning

• Relationship building skills

• Decision making and problem-solving skills


Nurse Practitioners work in clinics, office practices, managed care organizations and hospitals. They also deliver care in rural areas, urban community health centers, college campuses, worksite employee health centers and other locations.

Approximately 15% of all Nurse Practitioners have their own private practices.


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Public health nurse (Related job titles: community health nurse, emergency/disaster preparedness specialist, health educator)


RN to BSN


MPH (Master’s in Public Health)

Specialized graduate programs that combine the MSN with an MPH; graduates receive both degrees


APHN-BC (advanced public health nurse, board certified)

Job Description:

Public health nurses work within the community to improve the overall health of its residents. They may identify segments of the population that are at risk for health issues, like children who don’t have access to nutritious food, or pregnant women without access to prenatal care. Or they may work to remedy existing problems, often by planning interventions to address issues like STDs, obesity, immunizations, teen pregnancy, exposures to toxins, safety hazards, etc. Some public health nurses help in disaster preparedness or disaster relief efforts. Others focus on epidemiological strategies to prevent and control communicable diseases, like surveillance, early case identification, and contract tracing. Promoting health lifestyles and behaviors is a primary focus in public health, and nurses are likely to provide services in a variety of community settings (schools, malls, hospitals, recreation centers), through activities like health fairs, screenings, and immunization clinics. The focus of this specialty is prevention rather than treatment, and it is extremely multi-faceted.


• Ability to work in partnership with other sectors and community agencies

• Knowledge of community resources and social services

• Ability to work with patients from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds

SECTION II: COMMUNITY - OR POPULATION-BASED SPECIALTIES


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• Research, statistical, and analytical skills


• Attention to detail

• Knowledge of epidemiological principles like outbreak management,surveillance, immunization, early case identification, contact tracing, andcase management

• Patient education and engagement skills

• Ability to use technology for statistical reporting and analysis

• Ability to plan interventions that reduce the risk of chronic disease ordisability

• Knowledge of behavior modification strategies

• Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary settings

• Positive, optimistic attitude

• Ability to facilitate change


State health departments, government agencies, occupational health facilities, social services agencies, disaster response agencies, schools, correctional facilities

Occupational health nurse(Related job title: environmental health nurse)


RN to BSN


COHN (certified occupational health nurse)


Specialized MSN programs in occupational health


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Job Description:

Occupational heath nursing is a fusion of nursing practice, public health, and business.

The goal is to create and maintain a safe workplace environment by helping employers carry out health and safety standards and eliminate health hazards on the job – therefore, specific duties vary widely by workplace. Occupational health nurses may monitor individual workers to evaluate injuries or assist employees who are managing chronic disease. They may also create customized safety plans for an organization’s specific type of workforce and environment, assist in disaster preparedness measures, or manage an incident reporting program to track accidents and near-misses. In some cases, occupational health nurses may be asked to collaborate with department managers to implement accommodations for workers on restricted duty, or to administer a drug-free workplace program. This is a multi-faceted job that usually involves regular and predictable business hours.



• Patient assessment skills

• Excellent clinical judgment

• Patient education and counseling skills

• Knowledge of health surveillance techniques

• Knowledge of triage and first aid procedures

• Ability to manage compliance with OSHA and state regulations

• Organizational and analytical skills

• Recordkeeping and clinical documentation skills

• Some positions may require knowledge of ergonomics, chemicalexposures, etc.


Hospitals, corporations, manufacturing facilities, public health agencies, schools, businesses


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Forensics nurse(Related job titles: sexual assault nurse examiner, deputy medical examiner)


RN to BSN


Certificate programs or CE courses in forensics

Specialized MSN programs in forensics


CFN (certified forensic nurse)

Certification is required by the majority of employers

Job description:

These nurses help to investigate accidental or violent deaths, as well as crimes like sexual or physical assault. They are trained to collect evidence in a variety of ways, like taking blood and tissue samples and photographing or measuring wounds. An essential task is documenting and preserving evidence through accepted methods that can withstand legal scrutiny. They may also testify in court as an expert witness. Within forensics, there are several specialties, in areas like sexual assault, pediatrics, and geriatrics (investigating the abuse or neglect of a child or elderly person). In general, forensics is not a nine-to-five job, and nurses might be called to a crime scene or to an emergency room at any hour of the day.


• Ability to keep up in a fast-paced environment

• Research and analytical skills

• Organizational skills and ability to adhere to procedure

• Patient advocacy skills

• Compassion, empathy, and patience, when dealing with victims ofcrime.

• Tolerance for being on call and working irregular hours

• Ability to deal with trauma, violence, abuse


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• Knowledge of appropriate interventions for victims of crime or violence(referrals for medical testing/treatment, emergency shelter, counseling,etc.)

• Knowledge of legal procedures, such as chain of evidence protocols,etc.


Coroners and medical examiners offices, hospital emergency rooms, adult or child protective services agencies. Self-employment is also a popular option.

Legal nurse consultant


RN to BSN


Certificate programs

Specialized MSN programs in legal consulting


LNCC (legal nurse consultant, certified)

Certification is required by the majority of employers

Job description:

Legal nurse consultants apply clinical expertise to medically related litigation, like medical practice, personal injury, worker’s compensation, and product liability cases. They help attorneys and other legal professionals interpret patient records and understand medical terminology, and they may also evaluate and analyze medical outcomes in terms of how they were influenced by the delivery of care. An RN wishing to specialize as a legal nurse consultant could start with virtually any kind of clinical or administrative background, and then add legal coursework.


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• Research and analytical skills

• Attention to detail

• Organization skills and ability to adhere to procedure

• Broad knowledge of standards of medical care and medical ethics

• Broad knowledge of medicine and disease processes


• Knowledge of legal proceedings

• Ability to explain complex medical concepts to non-medical people

• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, work under pressure

• Patience and persistence; self-motivated personality


Law firms, corporate or hospital legal departments, government agencies, private investigators, insurance companies. Many consultants are self employed and work on a contract or project basis.

School nurse (Related job titles: camp nurse)


RN to BSN


NCSN (national certified school nurse)

Certification is largely voluntary

Job description:

These nurses work in schools, providing care and administering first aid to students who become ill or injured during school hours. They may also be called on to administer medication to or generally support students with


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chronic illness, disability, or mental health issues. The job is multi-faceted and may vary widely from school to school. In some schools, nurses may be called upon to provide health or nutritional counseling to students and parents and make referrals to health services agencies within the community. Some school nurses spend most of the workday in a single school’s health office, while others travel frequently among schools in a district. Most work regular, daytime hours and many have the same summer and holiday vacation schedules as teachers.


• Ability to work independently in a structured environment

• Knowledge of pediatrics, public health policies, and mental healthnursing

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly whenworking with children

• Cultural awareness and ability to work with people from diversebackgrounds

• Ability to identify health and safety concerns within the schoolenvironment

• Compassion, empathy


Elementary, middle, and high schools; colleges and universities; summer camps.


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Infection preventionist(Related job titles: infection control nurse)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN, infection control specilization

MSN, infection control specialization

Infection Prevention & Control Certificate

Professional certificate: CIC (certification in infection control)

Job Description:

These professionals work to identify, control, and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases in healthcare settings (and sometimes in the community). They evaluate current infection control measures, collect data on hospital-acquired infections, develop infection control procedures, and educate medical and housekeeping staff about proper sanitation techniques. The role of infection preventionist is often a high-profile position within a hospital; it combines administrative duties with occasional patient contact.


• Leadership and management skills


• Ability to keep up with current recommendations and guidelines

• Data analysis skills


• Thorough knowledge of pathogens, disease paths, epidemiology,surveillance systems

• Knowledge of evidence-based infection prevention/control strategies

• Staff training skills

• Ability to plan and evaluate programs


Hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities

SECTION III: OPERATIONAL / MANAGERIAL SPECIALTIES


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Quality assurance nurse (Related job titles: patient safety officer, quality improvement specialist)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN

MSN, nursing management and organizational leadership specialization


Specialized MSN programs in healthcare quality

Certification:

CPHQ (certified professional in healthcare quality)

Certification is largely voluntary

Job Description:

Quality assurance nurses evaluate healthcare processes to ensure that hospital or government mandated quality benchmarks are being met – and to find areas where improvements are needed. They may review patient files to see if clinical standards are being met, audit the work and behavior of employees, compile data through surveys or computer models, or educate other nurses on best practices. This managerial role relates more to the business side of healthcare than to patient care. QA nurses may also make recommendations for new technologies, processes, or workflows; or implement innovative practices to improve the quality of care or patient safety. It’s a behind-the-scenes job that makes the healthcare industry better for everyone – patients and providers alike.


• Data analysis skills



• Knowledge of quality review processes

• Expertise in state and federal regulations and quality requirements


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• Excellent interpersonal skills, in order to interface with professionals inother departments


• Leadership and administrative skills

• Knowledge of patient safety issues

• Knowledge of healthcare economics


Hospitals, long term care facilities, home health agencies, clinics, private practices

Clinical documentation specialist


RN to BSN


BS in health information management


CCDS (certified clinical documentation specialist)

Job Description:

These nurses are the crucial link between the healthcare providers who document patient care and the medical coders who translate information from the patient chart into billing data. Clinical documentation specialists are trained to audit physician documentation, in order to ensure correct billing and track resource utilization. They may also be called upon to resolve documentation quality issues and keep the medical staff informed of new codes or documentation procedures. (Often, frontline providers don’t fully realize the importance of accurate documentation). Most documentation specialists work during normal business hours.


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• Analytical skills

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology

• Knowledge of medical terminology

• Knowledge of official medical coding procedures

• Knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid and private payer reimbursementregulations

• Ability to analyze and interpret medical documentation and formulatephysician queries as needed

• Ability to evaluate clinical documentation improvement initiatives


• Basic informatics skills


Hospitals, clinics, laboratories, large private practices

Case manager (Related job title: care manager, care coordinator)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN

MSN, case management specialization


CCM (certified case manager)


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Job Description:

Case managers coordinate services and ongoing care for patients with one or more chronic illnesses, acting as a liaison between primary care providers, specialists, and other health professionals. They often have to consider clinical, financial, and patient advocacy functions simultaneously, while balancing competing interests. The goal is to provide the proper interventions at the optimal times, to prevent complications and hospitalizations (or readmissions). Case managers may also be charged with coordinating transitions of care, or removing barriers to care – transportation problems, cultural or language barriers, unhealthy behaviors, economic challenges – by finding the appropriate community resources. They work with patients to determine specific care plans and treatment goals, and they find ways to keep patients moving toward those goals. Often, a case manager will work with a specific type of patient population, with a focus on wellness, prevention, and cost-effective care for that group.

Skills and qualities needed:• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to manage transitions of care and discharge planning

• Ability to identify and remove barriers to care

• Health coaching and behavior modification skills


• End of life planning skills

• Diversity and cultural awareness

• Familiarity with telemedicine and remote monitoring

• Disease management skills


Hospitals, insurance companies, managed care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, healthcare consultancies.


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Nurse manager(Related job titles: unit manager, charge nurse, supervisor, assistant manager)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN


DNP, executive leadership specialization


CNML (certified nurse manager and leader)

Job Description:

Nurse managers coordinate patient services and supervise all the nurses within a unit or department. They work alongside unit nurses to improve workflows, resolve problems, and deliver patient care. They are responsible for administrative tasks, paperwork, department budgets, staff scheduling, and employee evaluations. They may also act as a liaison between nursing staff and physicians or hospital administrators. In short, they wear many hats. As healthcare grows more complex, more management opportunities are rising for nurses.


• Excellent leadership and management skills


• Budgeting and finance skills


• Operational skills


• Ability to motivate and inspire others

• Human resources skills: recruitment, retention, evaluation, disciplinaryactions


Hospitals, long term care facilities, clinics, ambulatory care centers


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Nurse executive(Related job titles: chief nursing officer, director of nursing, nurse administrator, vice president of nursing)

American Sentinel related degree programs:




CENP (certified in executive nursing practice)

NE-BC (nurse executive board certified)

Job Description:

Nurse executives help carry out the mission of their organization by managing patient care at the highest level, to ensure that clinical standards are met. They are mainly involved with management and administrative issues, including shaping institutional policies and managing finances, rather than bedside care. They may also plan new patient services or quality improvement initiatives, represent nursing interests at board meetings, or participate in multi-department decision making. The best nurse executives are excellent leaders, with the ability to communicate a vision and inspire people to work toward a goal. This is a demanding and high-profile job, and it can be among the highest paid nursing positions. Quite often, nurse executives and CNOs report directly to the chief executive officer of an organization.

Skills and qualities needed:

• Ability to lead and motivate others

• Interpersonal and communication skills

• Strategic planning skills

• Broad knowledge of finance, operations, and technology

• Ability to perform under pressure

• Critical decision making skills

• Analytical skills


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• Ability to work collaboratively and to create an environment that fosterscollaboration across disciplines and departments

• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change (and to facilitate change)


Hospitals, long term care facilities

Nurse educator(Related job titles: nursing school instructor, clinical nurse educator, staff development officer, continuing education specialist, nursing professor, nursing dean)


MSN, nursing education specialization

DNP, educational leadership specialization


CNE (certified nurse educator)

Job Description:

Nurse educators work to shape the next generation of nurses – and to keep the current generation up to date, as nursing practice and healthcare in general becomes increasingly more complex. Some educators teach at nursing schools where students are working toward an ASN, BSN, or graduate degree. Some write continuing education materials and refresher courses. And others work at hospitals as staff development officers who train and recertify other nurses in clinical practice or new technology (they may also instruct other hospital personnel in areas like initial orientation or hospital hygiene). Nurse educators often conduct research, publish articles in nursing journals, or write grant proposals as well.


• Ability to design, evaluate, and revise academic curricula (or staffdevelopment programs, or continuing education materials)


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• Teaching skills

• Knowledge of different learning styles and teaching techniques

• Familiarity with educational technologies

• Knowledge of alternative nursing education methods – simulation,clinical sites, preceptorships, etc.


Community colleges, universities, nursing schools, hospitals, long term care facilities, continuing education programs

Nursing school dean (Related job title: assistant dean)


MSN, nursing education specialization

DNP, educational leadership specialization


Ph.D., Ed.D. programs


CNE (certified nurse educator)

Job description:

Academic deans are educational administrators who serve as the heads of nursing programs. They provide vision and direction to both students and faculty, and represent the nursing school’s interests within the broader university community. Deans are responsible for developing the academic programs that will inform the next generation of nurses, and forging the partnerships that will provide students with clinical learning opportunities at local hospitals and clinics. They recruit faculty and adjunct professors and manage the tenure process. They’re also responsible for managing budgets and supervising marketing and fundraising activities – so they must understand the business impact of educational decisions.


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• Finance, budgeting, and the ability to align educational goals withbusiness goals

• Leadership skills (these may be different from corporate leadershipskills, since academic deans lead more through influence than authority)

• Ability to manage conflict

• Ability to understand diverse viewpoints and gain buy-in from diversestakeholders

• Knowledge of new models of nursing curriculum development anddelivery, including simulation

• Ability to set education policies and evaluate program effectiveness

• Organizational planning; ability to set priorities for resource allocation

• Strategic planning skills and the ability to drive change

• Motivated, driven personality with a focus on actions and outcomes

• Sophisticated interpersonal and communication skills


Nursing schools, community colleges, universities


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Informatics nurse(Related job titles: clinical informatics specialist, nurse informaticist, clinical decision support specialist, IT project manager)


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN, nursing informatics specialization

MSN, nursing informatics specialization

DNP, Informatics Leadership


RN-BC (registered nurse - board certified in informatics)

CPHIMS (certified professional in healthcare information and management systems)

Job Description:

The number of roles that can be filled by informatics nurses is rapidly expanding as hospitals add decision support tools, computerized prescription ordering, and electronic medical records. These nurses combine nursing science with computer science and information technology in order to manage and analyze the digitized data that flows through a healthcare-related facility. They may also help to develop technology, train other clinicians in its use, or make recommendations for improvements in technological processes – often with a focus on improving patient outcomes. There are manysubspecialties and job titles within nursing informatics.


• Research, analytical, technical, and organizational skills


• Ability to stay current in a rapidly changing field

• Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines and departments

• Knowledge of EMRs and the computer systems that integrate with them

• High level of clinical competence, to figure out how certain technicalfunctionality can be applied in the clinical setting.

SECTION IV: TECHNOLOGICAL SPECIALTIES


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• Ability to act as a liaison between clinical staff who will be the end usersof a system and IT staff who implement a system

• Project management skills


Hospitals, insurance companies, IT vendors, pharmaceutical companies, research facilities, healthcare IT consulting firms. Self employment as a consultant is also possible.


Nurse entrepreneur


RN to BSN

RN to BSN/MSN, nursing leadership and organizational management specialization

MSN, nursing leadership and organizational management specialization

MBA Healthcare

Certification: None

Job Description:

Nurse entrepreneurs are RNs who have left a traditional job to strike out on their own and start a business. Some develop medical devices or software. Others offer a service, like patient advocacy, health coaching, legal consulting, or forensics work. Some advanced practice nurses will open a clinic or practice of their own. There is no simple formula that everyone can follow – it takes time and money to start a business and it’s often not a smooth road to success. Many outside factors can affect a business, including new technology, general healthcare trends, shifting consumer preferences, and regulatory or policy changes. This means entrepreneurs have to be adaptable and able to think on their feet. They have to wear many hats, because running a business involves not only clinical skills, but also marketing, finance, and human resource functions.


• Enthusiasm, passion, and the ability to act with conviction

• General business skills: finance, operations, marketing, customerservice, human resources

• Flexibility

• Ability to tolerate irregularities in cashflow

• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, work under pressure

• Patience and persistence; self-motivated personality


By definition, a nurse entrepreneur is self-employed.

SECTION V: BUSINESS-RELATED SPECIALTIES

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Practice manager (Related job title: business manager, practice administrator, assistant practice manager)


MBA Healthcare


CPPM (certified physician practice manager)

CMM (certified medical manager)

Job description:

Practice managers handle the business aspects of a physician group practice or clinic. They work closely with the physician owners to develop business strategies, and they deal with all aspects of daily operations. They may oversee scheduling practices, billing and collections, payroll and workplace policies, regulatory and compliance issues, and even patient services. Practice managers must also be familiar with electronic medical records systems and with technology in general, as healthcare moves into the digital age.


• Leadership and management skills

• Analytical and organizational skills

• Knowledge of healthcare operations

• Finance and budgeting skills


• Ability to work collaboratively and foster an environment of collaboration

• Ability to formulate and implement business strategies

• Ability to implement practice improvements and quality initiatives

Where you’ll work: Clinics, private practices

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Business consultant (Related job title: clinical project manager)


MBA Healthcare


MHA (Master of Health Administration) programs


CHBC (certified healthcare business consultant)

Job description:

Healthcare business consultants are charged with optimizing business practices in order to improve productivity, increase revenues, streamline operations, and ensure regulatory compliance. They generally specialize in a particular area (like human resources, marketing, or EMR implementation) and may be hired on a contract basis to manage a project, or to provide ongoing business support, similar to a practice manager. Many consultants split their time between multiple clients, traveling to see them on site.


• Flexibility

• Ability to juggle multiple projects and clients


• Comprehensive knowledge of the specialty area


• Analytical and research skills

• Broad knowledge of business principles


Hospitals, insurance companies, physician practices, clinics, long term care facilities, consulting firms. Many consultants are self-employed.

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Hospital administrator(Related job titles: vice president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief executive officer)


MBA Healthcare



MHA (Master’s of Hospital Administration)

MPH (Master’s in Public Health)

Job description:

Administrators manage many types of medical facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and long term care facilities. Large facilities may have a separate administrator for each department or function, while smaller facilities might have one administrator overseeing the operations of every department. The job is demanding. Administrators must keep up with advances in clinical practice, information technology, government regulations, and changes to the reimbursement system. They must keep their hospitals running efficiently, while providing safe and effective care to patients. And they must act as a liaison between the board of directors, medical staff, and department heads; and find ways to integrate all departmental activities so the organization functions as a whole.


None


• Excellent leadership and management skills


• Policy making skills

• Finance and budgeting skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of patient services, medical treatments,quality assurance, information technology, medical ethics, etc.

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• Ability to perform under pressure

• Ability to work long and irregular hours

• Ability to implement a strategic vision for the future

• Passion, drive, enthusiasm


Hospitals, clinics, other medical facilities

In ConclusionAre you interested in finding a rewarding and lucrative nursing specialty that fits your individual strengths and interests? Education can be your passport to the career of your dreams. The 28 nursing careers described above all relate to a degree program that is offered in a flexible, online format by American Sentinel University. We invite you to empower yourself with knowledge through an online advanced nursing degree.

American Sentinel University is an innovative, accredited provider of online nursing degrees, including programs that prepare nurses to be Nurse Practitioners or for a specialty in case management, infection control, nursing education, nursing informatics and leadership.

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American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (BSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare). Its affordable, flexible bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, DEAC, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036,(202) 234-5100, www.deac.org.

For required student consumer information, please visit: www.americansentinel.edu/doe.

American Sentinel University

[email protected]

1.866.922.5691


Consumer disclosure information: www.americansentinel.edu/doe

ABOUT AMERICAN SENTINEL UNIVERSITY

46 2260 S Xanadu Way, Ste. 310Aurora, CO 80014

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YOU CHOOSE: 28 CAREERS THAT EVERY RN SHOULD …Then, as you learn where your strengths lie, you can choose the ideal MSN or DNP program to prepare you for your chosen career path