9 of the Best Jobs for New Nurses After Graduation
Are you a newly graduated nurse looking for the best job opportunities? With so many options available, deciding which path to take can be overwhelming. But fear not; we are here to guide you through the best jobs for new grad nurses.
Whether you are interested in working in hospitals, schools, corporations, or beyond, nursing offers many fulfilling and rewarding career paths to explore. Choosing the right job is crucial in starting a successful and fulfilling career. You have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of fields, from becoming a clinical social worker to a telemedicine nurse.
In this article, we will discuss the top jobs for new nurses and what they entail so that you can make an informed decision about your career path.
General Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a general nurse practitioner is an excellent option for new American nurses. It offers high pay and a range of opportunities to work with patients in different settings. You must complete a master’s degree in nursing and pass a certification exam. This nursing job allows you to diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medication, and work with many different people. It’s also one of the highest paying nursing jobs.
General nurse practitioners can work in different settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. You may also choose to specialize in a particular area of healthcare, such as pediatrics or geriatrics. In addition, you can work as a school nurse, providing care to students, or as a nurse in a nursing home, helping elderly patients with their daily needs.
Becoming a general nurse practitioner can be a rewarding career. It’s one of the best nursing jobs in earning potential, with an average salary of $109,820 per year. Plus, the demand for them is expected to grow by 45% by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re interested in pursuing this nursing program, consider researching the various programs available to find the best fit for your career goals.
Certified Nurse Midwife
As a certified nurse midwife, you’ll deliver babies and provide prenatal and postpartum care to mothers in a clinical setting. This highly specialized nursing career requires additional education beyond a nursing degree.
To become a certified nurse midwife, you must graduate from an accredited midwifery program and pass a national certification exam. Becoming a certified nurse midwife is an excellent career choice for new graduates interested in women’s health and childbirth.
As a midwife, you can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Certified nurse midwives are in high demand, and there are many opportunities for career advancement in this specialty.
In addition to delivering babies and providing prenatal and postpartum care, certified nurse midwives offer family planning services, gynecological exams, and menopause management. As a nurse educator, you can also use your expertise to teach and train other nurses in this specialty.
Becoming a certified nurse midwife is one of the best nursing jobs for new graduates who are passionate about women’s health and want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their patients.
Family Nurse Practitioner
You’ll find that becoming a family nurse practitioner can lead to a fulfilling career in healthcare. As a graduate nurse with a nursing degree, you can pursue this advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role to expand your career options.
Family nurse practitioners are responsible for primary care for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. They work in varying, including clinics, hospitals, and private practices.
You’ll be able to work autonomously and make clinical decisions impacting patient care. You’ll also be able to develop long-term relationships with your patients, providing continuity of care and building trust. Your responsibilities may include conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and providing patient education. You may also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and social workers, to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Becoming a family nurse practitioner is an excellent choice for new-grad nurses interested in patient care and wanting to advance their nursing career. They are in high demand, and the job outlook for this profession is excellent.
In addition to the satisfaction of helping patients, they also enjoy competitive salaries and benefits. Pursuing this path requires additional education and certification, but the investment is well worth it for the opportunities and rewards it offers.
Home Health Nurse
Being a home health nurse is like being a guardian angel for patients who require medical care in their homes. As a new grad, you may be unsure of what positions in nursing to pursue.
Home health nursing is an excellent option for those who enjoy working with patients in a non-clinical setting. They provide medical care to patients who cannot leave their homes due to illness or disability.
You’ll use your nursing education and skills to assess the patient’s condition, administer medication, and provide wound care. You’ll also work with the patient’s family to ensure they understand their condition and how to manage their care.
With nursing shortages across the country, home health nursing is a growing field. Pursuing a career as a home health nurse allows you to make a difference in the lives of your patients while working in a flexible and rewarding environment.
Telemedicine Nurse
Working as a telemedicine nurse is like a virtual caregiver, providing medical care and patient support remotely through technology. It’s an excellent option for new grads who want to explore different nursing specialties without committing to a specific setting.
As a telemedicine nurse, you can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices, all from home. One of the benefits of becoming a telemedicine nurse is the potential for high earnings. Some telemedicine positions require nurse practitioner certification, which can lead to some of the highest-paying nursing jobs available.
Additionally, with nursing shortages being a concern in many areas, telemedicine nurses are in high demand and can often negotiate competitive salaries. To become a telemedicine nurse, you’ll need a strong nursing education and experience in clinical settings. Many telemedicine positions require a minimum of two years of clinical experience, but some may require more.
It’s important to research different positions in nursing and determine what education and experience are required for the specific telemedicine job you’re interested in. With the growing importance of telemedicine in the healthcare industry, becoming a telemedicine nurse can be a rewarding and lucrative career.
Clinical Social Worker
As a clinical social worker in the healthcare industry, you’ll work alongside medical professionals to provide emotional and mental support to patients and their families. You’ll assist in developing care plans that address the social and emotional factors that may impact their health. This role requires a strong understanding of human behavior and practical communication skills with patients from diverse backgrounds.
To become a clinical social worker, you’ll need a master’s degree in social work and a license to practice in your state. While nursing experience isn’t required, it can be beneficial as many clinical social workers work in hospitals and healthcare settings. Having experience in family or public health can also be advantageous as these areas often intersect with social work.
Like many careers for nurses, clinical social workers can expect job growth in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in employment for social workers from 2019 to 2029. This career path offers a fulfilling opportunity for those looking to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families, with a median annual salary of $51,760.
Forensic Nurse Consultant
You’ll love the unique and exciting job of a forensic nurse consultant, where you can use your nursing expertise to assist law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and prosecutors with medical investigations and legal cases.
As a forensic nurse, you can work in various settings, including hospitals, morgues, and crime scenes. Your nursing skills and experience will be invaluable in providing medical expertise to legal professionals and helping them build strong cases.
To become a forensic nurse consultant, you’ll need to have a strong background in nursing and hold an RN license. Additionally, you may consider obtaining certifications in legal nurse consulting or nursing informatics to increase your marketability in the nursing field. Nurse educators and certified nurses can also transition into this exciting field if they have a passion for forensic science and are willing to learn the necessary skills.
As a forensic nurse consultant, you’ll have many responsibilities, including collecting and analyzing evidence, providing expert testimony in court, and working with other healthcare professionals to deliver quality patient care. Your work will be challenging and rewarding, as you’ll be making a significant impact on the legal system and helping to bring justice to victims and their families.
So if you’re looking for a career that combines your nursing skills with your love of forensic science, consider becoming a forensic nurse consultant today.
Occupational Nurse
It’s not every day that a nurse dreams of spending their career promoting healthy living to employees as an occupational nurse. However, this nursing specialty offers a unique opportunity to work within a business and help promote employee wellness and safety.
Occupational nurses typically work to prevent injuries and illnesses, provide basic medical care, and educate employees on healthy living habits. They also work with management to develop policies and procedures that promote a healthy work environment.
As an occupational nurse, you will have opportunities to work in various settings, including manufacturing facilities, offices, and schools. You will be responsible for conducting health screenings, administering medications, and providing first aid in case of emergencies. You will also keep accurate employee health records and report management concerns.
To become an occupational nurse, you will need a degree in nursing and additional certification as an occupational health nurse specialist. Before transitioning to occupational nursing, you may also need to gain experience working in critical care, home health, or other nursing specialties.
As an occupational nurse, you can expect to earn a salary comparable to other nursing specialties, with opportunities for advancement into positions such as nurse administrators, clinical nurse specialists, or nursing educators specializing in occupational health nursing.
This is a rewarding career choice for nursing students and experienced nurses passionate about promoting healthy living and safety in the workplace.
Physical Therapist
Now that you’ve considered becoming an occupational nurse, knowing about other nursing-related fields that may interest you is essential.
One of these fields is physical therapy, which offers a rewarding career path for new nurses.
As a physical therapist, you’ll work with patients who have suffered injuries or illnesses that limit their mobility and cause pain.
You’ll use your anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology knowledge to design treatment plans that help patients regain their strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
You may also work with patients with chronic conditions requiring ongoing therapy.
To become a physical therapist, you’ll need to earn a degree in physical therapy and pass a licensing exam.
However, many nurses choose to become physical therapist assistants who work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
This can be an excellent option for nursing students who want to gain experience in the field before pursuing a degree in physical therapy.
Physical therapy is a field that offers many opportunities for advancement, including becoming a clinical nurse specialist or a nurse administrator.
You may also choose to specialize in a particular area, such as working with critical care nurses in the ICU or providing care for patients in nursing homes.
No matter your path, a physical therapy career can be challenging and fulfilling.
Finding Nurse Jobs: Conclusion
So, there you have it – the best jobs for new nurses to consider as they embark on their career journey. Each option has its unique set of responsibilities and opportunities for growth.
One interesting statistic is that the demand for certified registered nurses is expected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This means there will continue to be a need for qualified nurses in various settings.
In addition to the above nine jobs, you can look into the following roles; psychiatric nurse practitioner, icu nurse, legal nurse consultant, travel nurse, surgical nurse, pain management nurse, public health nurse, mental health nurse, dialysis nurse, and certified gerontological nurse.
Whether you work in a hospital, school, or telemedicine, there are many paths to explore in the nursing field. So, take the time to research your options and find the best fit for your skills and interests.
With dedication and hard work, you can build a fulfilling and successful career in nursing.
