By Jason Latshaw
If you're looking for a growing field with good salary numbers, you can't go wrong with nursing.
Plain and simple: Nursing is one of the hottest jobs around.
Recent projections from The U.S. Department of Labor show that nearly 600,000 new Registered Nursing jobs will be created by 2018. That's right...nearly 600,000 new jobs!
The booming demand and projected growth mean more career choices than ever for the aspiring or current nurse.
Check out these 4 diverse workplaces that nurses can enjoy.
1. Physician's Offices
If a small business environment appeals to you, you might enjoy working in an individual physician's office, where jobs are projected to grow 39% by 2016.
Benefits:
Training: Since physician's offices are privately run businesses, they often have varying requirements. Many will hire a nurse with an associate's degree in nursing, but some require four years of training.
Search for an Associate's Degree in Nursing program now.
2. Schools, Universities, and Day Care Centers
If you enjoy interacting with children and young people, you may want to consider working as a nurse in a school, university, or day care center.
Benefits:
Training: Some states, such as California, require school nurses to have a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. However, many other states, such as South Carolina only require an associate's degree. Different districts and private organizations all have varying requirements, ranging from two-year to four-year nursing programs.
Find the right Nursing degree now.
3. Home-Based Care
If you like the idea of caring for patients in a less institutional setting, look into home-based care. Some nurses get an ongoing assignment with one patient, while others serve a number of patients throughout the week.
Benefits:
Training: Home-based care providers - and individuals who directly hire home-based nurses - have different requirements for training and experience. Many will hire candidates with an associate's degree, but some will require four years of training.
Search for local and online Nursing degrees now.
4. Telehealth
Telehealth consultancy, which is offered by large health organizations such as major hospitals, involves giving nursing care and advice electronically through mediums like chat rooms, online discussion boards, teleconferences, and phone calls. If you're looking for a complete change of pace, have an interest in technology, and like the idea of helping people around the world, telehealth could be for you.
Benefits:
According to the Home Care Automation Report, deployment of less-expensive telehealth cuts down on emergency rooms visits 19% or more.
Training: The requirements vary from organization to organization but most require their telehealth nurses to be RNs. To become an RN, you'll need to earn a nursing diploma, associate's degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing.