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What Type of Nurse Should I Become?

Are you a student in nursing school? If so, are you wondering “what type of nurse should I become?” You may be surprised to learn that there are many different types of nursing professions that you can pick from when choosing your career. While there may be dozens of different kinds of nursing professionals, the following are the top five types of nursing jobs.

Nurse Practitioner

If you’re going to pursue becoming a nurse practitioner, you will need to get a master’s degree. Additionally, you can pursue a degree in Doctor of Nursing Practice. Nurse practitioners can work in both primary care and specialized care. As a nurse practitioner, you’ll be able to perform physical exams, prescribe medications and schedule testing such as blood tests. If you pursue this career, your work can be comparable to what a medical doctor does on a day-to-day basis.

Geriatric Nurse

As a geriatric nurse, you’ll need a Registered Nurse or RN license as well as an associates or bachelor’s degree. You will be working with elderly patients and treating for injuries and ailments and finding ways to improve quality of life within this patient population. You may see patients with cancer or Alzheimer’s disease if you choose this specialty. With the large baby boomer population growing in age, this is a field that will need more nurses in the coming years.

Mental Health Nurse

When studying in nursing school and becoming a nurse, you may end up taking some classes on mental health. If you find this sector interesting, you may want to become a mental health nurse. For this role, you will need a Registered Nurse or RN license as well as a master’s degree. As a mental health nurse, you’ll be responsible for diagnosing and treating patients with psychiatric disorders. You may also counsel patients who are managing anxiety or depression. Those who are looking to improve patients’ emotional well-being may find that becoming a mental health nurse is the right choice.

Surgical Nurse

If you’re looking to become a perioperative or surgical nurse, you’ll need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. In addition, you will also need a Registered Nurse or RN license. This type of nurse is focused on helping patients with their medical care before and after their surgeries. Some types of tasks surgical nurses take part in are applying bandages during the operation, handling the tools during the surgery and making sure the operating room is prepared for the surgery.

Pediatric Nurse

If you love spending time with children, you may want to pursue pediatric nursing. To pursue pediatric nursing, you will need a bachelor’s degree or possibly an associate’s course of study as well as a Registered Nurse or RN license. You’ll specialize in taking care of children from infants through the teenage years. As such, you will need to have strong knowledge about these developmental ages. Pediatric nurses can conduct yearly check-ups and create treatment plans.

Become a Nurse at FVI School of Nursing and Technology

Are you still wondering “what type of nurse should I become?” If so, be sure to seek more information on our website. Furthermore, to learn more about nursing and healthcare education, be sure to call the FVI School of Nursing and Technology at 786.574.3350.

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