8 Nursing Career Paths For 2022

If we have learned anything in the last few years, it is that the role of nurses is instrumental in the healthcare sector. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that their patients receive consistent treatment amid a global pandemic. However, commitment is not a new phenomenon in the field of nursing. Nurses have emerged as medical superheroes in the aftermath of various disasters in the past.

Studies suggest that the demand for nurses is marking a constant uptick. So, if you are thinking about becoming a nurse, this is wonderful news because you will almost certainly get a job somewhere. To ensure a more fulfilling and financially rewarding career, we would recommend you choose one of the following nursing roles:

  1. Emergency Nurse Practitioner

Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and seeing a wide range of clinical cases? You might be a suitable candidate to become an emergency nurse practitioner. The COVID-19 problem has made emergency department workers the center of attention. Emergency room nurse practitioners will handle obstetric emergencies, infectious diseases, psychological disorders, and trauma in 2022.

Although a conventional 9-5 schedule is unlikely in an emergency department, shift work could be satisfying because you will have greater control over your schedule.

  1. Nurse Executive 

Nurse executives play a vital part in the growing modern healthcare environment as nurses undertake more responsibility in medical institutions. These professionals are accountable for communicating their organizations’ vision and ensuring top-quality patient care. This entails fostering teamwork among nursing staff members through initiatives like encouraging clinical nurses in leadership roles.

Becoming a nurse executive is one of the most sought-after DNP careers, thanks to the hefty annual pay of around $134’000.

  1. Camp Nurse

If you enjoy working and spending time with kids, camp nursing could be an ideal career for you. While this is a temporary position by definition, it is a good fit for nurses between medical clinic employment or wanting to try something new for a while. The position entails remaining at the camp, dealing with camp health issues, and maintaining the camp’s health clinic.

Camp nurses are on hand to administer first aid, particularly at night camps with a high level of outdoor activity. Statics reveal that camp nurses have a bright future ahead of them.  Every year, many American children attend camps and are forced to operate entirely without nurses. As a camp nurse, it is not difficult to get work. Their hourly wage typically ranges between $21.88 to $39.88.

  1. Family Nurse Practitioner 

This decade is predicted to see a whopping 45% increase in Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs). It is common for FNPs to offer patient consultations and evaluations in various settings such as emergency rooms, medical offices, clinics, and nursing homes. They also arrange diagnostic testing and prescribe treatment or medication. The more advanced the degree, the more the responsibility and compensation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an FNP may expect to earn an average annual hourly income of $114,510 or $55.05.

  1. School Nurse 

If you love being a nurse, you should consider this role but cannot imagine a long-term career in a clinical setting. When you deal with children of all ages, you will have a great opportunity to educate them about health, provide them with medication, and conduct preventative screenings.

Stable working hours are a huge perk here. Depending on your shift, they will be consistent, though some nurses also opt for late night or early morning shifts. On top of that, these shifts might be quite lengthy. If you work as a school nurse, you will most likely be off for the entire summer. While other healthcare professionals may struggle to schedule vacation time, you may bank on extensive annual leave.

Earning BSN is the first prerequisite to becoming a school nurse. School nurses earn good pay. A study reports by Salary that the median salary for a school nurse is $48,435. That being said, the top 75% earn more than $72,000.

  1. Forensic Nurse

Forensic nursing could lead to an exciting nursing career. However, this is not a profession for the faint-hearted. These health experts work in the criminal justice system. They care for victims of violent crimes and compile medical evidence for legal processes. As a forensic nurse, you should feel comfortable testifying in court. Besides, they should be at ease offering quality care to patients who have undergone horrific events. These nurses are employed in various settings, ranging from hospitals to penal facilities.

The average forensic nurse’s pay is around $68,450. Like other professions, the salary might vary significantly depending on the degree, work environment, and experience. Forensic nurses working in urban regions might earn more than those working in rural areas. The demand for forensic nurses is already high, and it is predicted to increase by $16 by 2024.

  1. Telehealth Nurse

There has been an increase in telemedicine in nursing, especially in light of the recent COVID epidemic. Nurses in telehealth use video technology to communicate with patients worldwide for various purposes, including monitoring, examinations, and consultations. Nurses who have a strong interest in technology could find a rewarding career path in telemedicine.

Though some telemedicine nurses work in a hospital, clinic, or corporate setting with a team of professionals, many choose to work from home. These in-home nurses often work as an extension of a healthcare organization or institution, assisting with triage, disability case management, and insurance claims processing.

  1. Insurance Nurse

Nurses who work for insurance firms are referred to as insurance nurses. They conduct health examinations for insurance purposes. Additionally, they study health data to design benefit packages. Many also work as case managers, which allows them to combine various responsibilities into a single position. Insurance nurses must be comfortable conducting research, analyzing data, and communicating their results to their representatives.

Insurance nurses earn an average salary of $80,090. As with other nursing jobs, this one is experiencing steady growth.

The Final Verdict

The majority of people do not become nurses for financial gain. However, given the necessity of money in life, some of you may be exploring a more profitable career route. And there is nothing wrong with that. Going through the above-listed options would have given you a lot of clarity and enabled you to pursue the right job in the nursing field.