Oncology care is one of the most sensitive areas of nursing. Because of the harrowing nature of the disease, caring for cancer patients requires unmatched fortitude and sensitivity. And that puts Oncology Nurses in a league of their own. 

They are there during the highest moments, witnessing survivors get ready to take over the world when they hear the good news. They are also there during the lows, providing impeccable care as the most vulnerable patients and their families face the most ruthless of opponents, an unbeatable disease. And through it all, they keep an unmatched level of sensitivity, compassion, and professionalism. True heroes. 

If you want to join the ranks of these heroes, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the subtleties of this critical nursing role. From how to become an Oncology RN to what duties they have and from salary expectations to challenges you may encounter, you’ll find answers to all your oncology nursing-related questions in this guide. 

Let’s get started.   

What is an Oncology Nurse?

An Oncology Nurse is a registered nurse specializing in providing care for people with cancer. They are on the frontlines of cancer treatment, helping patients through the most difficult, delicate, or painful moments of their battle with the disease. While bedside care to cancer patients makes up the core of their job, Oncology Nurses also educate people about their disease, symptoms, and diagnosis. On top of everything, working in oncology nursing means they are also a leading source of encouragement and optimism for patients through painful procedures or draining medical tests. 

Additionally, Oncology RNs are working with survivors as well as people subjected to the risk of developing cancerous tumors. They serve as a link between oncological patients, doctors, families, and other entities involved in cancer treatment and survivorship. 

What Are The Subspecialties of Oncology Nursing?

Even though the profession is narrowly focused on cancer, aspiring Oncology RNs can further specialize within the field. Some oncological nursing subspecialties include: 

• Pediatric Oncology: For the most part, the types of cancers that are common in children differ from those plaguing adults. So, working as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse, you’ll focus on cancers in infants, children, and teens. Caring for children and keeping them comfortable during treatment requires special training and skills; thus you’d have to specialize in pediatric oncology nursing.  
• Gynecological oncology: This specialty focuses on treating and caring for women with gynecologic cancers, like ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest tumors among women. In a gynecological oncology setting, patients may feel more comfortable relaying their symptoms to nurses rather than busy clinicians, which can improve the quality of care. 
• Breast Oncology: Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can feel like the rug is being pulled out from under you. Patients need to navigate through countless tests, life-altering decisions, and treatment options, so they need trained specialists who can guide them through the trajectory of care. Oncology Nurses specializing in breast care are the right professionals for the job.
• Radiation Oncology: Radiation treatments are a popular way to treat cancers in today’s day and age. Still, there are many nuances of treatment and symptom management regarding treatments involving radiation therapy. Radiation Oncology Nurses determine patients most at risk for treatment-related side effects; they reduce a patient’s anxiety about their treatment by providing simple explanations; and provide constant care through daily radiation treatments. 
• Chemotherapy Oncology: Chemotherapy and radiation are both used as treatments for cancers. Chemo uses special drugs to shrink or kill cancer cells, while radiation uses X-rays or protons. Oncology Nurses specializing in chemotherapy are highly familiar with the subtleties of chemo treatments, making them invaluable to the patient undergoing them. 
• Surgical oncology: Surgery remains the main way of treatment for patients diagnosed with a solid tumor. How a patient is cared for before and after surgery can make a difference in their battle with the disease. Caring for surgical patients with cancer requires a specific skill set adapted to the needs of this unique patient population.

How to Become an Oncology Nurse?

Before choosing a career, it’s important to do your due diligence and find out how to become an Oncology Nurse and how long it takes. 

The minimum educational requirement to become an Oncology Nurse is Registered Nurse licensure. Thus, depending on your career goals and preferred schooling track, earning the RN credential can take two to four years, which allows you to start practicing in oncological settings. 

Let’s examine the step-by-step process of becoming an Oncology Registered Nurse more closely.

Step One: Enroll in Nursing School

While their academic paths may diverge along the way, aspiring Oncology Nurses all start at the same point: by enrolling in an accredited nursing program. There are several ways for prospective learners to earn RN licensure: by enrolling in an ADN or BSN program. Both programs prepare you to become a Registered Nurse, but there are some significant differences between them. 

An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes around two years to complete, while a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) is usually completed in around four years. However, a BSN degree is preferred among healthcare employers because this degree provides a more comprehensive education for a future nursing career. 

Nightingale College’s BSN program is an excellent option for those who want to embrace a nursing career and provide competent care to vulnerable populations. It is structured as a blended program, with online didactic instruction and on-ground supervised field experience. Our program can be completed in as few as 32 months. You can benefit from advanced placement if you’ve already started your nursing career and are currently a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). 

Step Two: Gain RN Licensure

The main requirement to gain RN licensure is to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you complete a nursing program (either ADN or BSN), you need to apply for licensure/registration to the nursing regulatory body in your state. Next, you ought to register and pay a fee to take the exam. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be authorized to take the test. And that’s when the fun begins.   

The NCLEX-RN is an exhaustive five-hour exam that tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to safe and effective nursing practice. It can contain anywhere from 75 to 145 questions, and you’ll need to analyze each one carefully – once you submit an answer, there’s no going back to the question. After the exam, the official result will be available through your Nursing Regulatory Body within six weeks. 

Step Three: Gain Experience in Oncological Settings

Congratulations! With the NCLEX-RN completed, you can start looking for your dream job. Polish up your nursing resume, prepare for interviews and get ready to embark on the next phase of your journey: working as a fully-fledged Registered Nurse. Once you delve into the field of oncology, you’ll gain more hands-on experience to complement the knowledge you obtained through nursing school. And that’s how you turn from a good nurse to a great nurse. 

Step Four: If Applicable, Consider Advancing Your Education to a BSN Level

If you are an ADN-trained nurse and want to advance your degree to the BSN level, enrolling in a bridge RN-to-BSN program is the best option. Mostly, they can be completed online in one or two years, so it’s a convenient way to further your education while keeping your job. 

Employers increasingly prefer BSN-prepared bedside nurses, so continuing your education will ensure you are one step ahead of the competition when it comes to job searches. But more importantly, a BSN education prepares you more thoroughly to provide quality patient safety and care in diverse areas of care and environments.

Nightingale College’s RN-to-BSN program is specially designed for working professionals, allowing them to advance their nursing skills and improve healthcare delivery in as little as 12 months. It’s entirely online and career-friendly and it will help you grow as a professional nurse. It’s an excellent way to become more marketable and a more competent, better-trained RN.

Step Five: Consider Advancing Your Degree

RN licensure is the main requirement you have to meet to become an Oncology Nurse. However, if you’re thinking about becoming an Oncology Nurse Practitioner or wish to specialize in a particular field of oncological care, you’ll have to obtain your Master’s Degree in Nursing. An MSN degree usually adds at least two more years to the time you spend in school, but it is a mandatory step for aspiring APRNs who want to climb as high on the professional ladder as possible.

Do Oncology Nurses Need to Get Certified?

Certification is not mandatory for Registered Nurses. However, it is an excellent way to improve your skills and distinguish yourself from other nurses. Plus, getting certified in a specific area of nursing proves that you meet the highest competency standards in that practice, making you an invaluable addition to healthcare. 

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) provides several nationally accredited, oncology-specific certification programs for Registered Nurses that ensure the nurse meets excellency standards. Some of these certifications include: 

• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®)
• Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®)
• Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN®)
• Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN®)
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP®)

Bear in mind that eligibility criteria may differ from one certification to another. To stay on top of your field, you’ll be required to renew your certification once every few years. 

What Does an Oncology Nurse Do?

There is an extensive list of duties and responsibilities Oncology Nurses tackle daily. They provide care to cancer patients at all stages of their fight. In doing so, they fulfill the following tasks: 

• They keep track, review, and consistently update a patient’s medical history.
• Oncology nurses take part in assessing a patient’s physical condition and emotional state.
• They monitor and record vitals.
• They manage symptoms cancer patients experience.
• Keep track of labs, pathology, and imaging studies.
• They collaborate with the patient’s oncologist and other clinicians to develop a treatment plan.
• Oncology nurses administer drugs to cancer patients as prescribed by the physician. 
• They administer cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.
• When adverse side effects follow chemo treatments, Oncology Nurses do their best to help patients overcome them.
• They educate patients, helping them better understand the disease, its symptoms, and the treatment plan. They make sure patients are familiar with the medical jargon and answer any questions about their condition that may arise.
• Oncology Nurses are also a vital link in providing education to cancer patients’ families and loved ones. With such a terrible disease, the family is affected as well. Thus, Oncology Nurses help them navigate these waters. 
• They are fierce advocates for the patients. 
• They prep patients for surgeries and care for them post-op. 

Where Do Oncology Nurses Work?

Oncology nurses can find employment in many settings. Some of the most common employers of Oncology RNs are:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient care centers
• Clinics
• Private practices
• Long-term care facilities

Typically, Oncology RNs are part of larger multi-disciplinary teams. Depending on where they work, their role could be centered around prevention, early detection, treatment, symptom management, or palliative care. 

How Much Do Oncology Nurses Make?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of an Oncology Registered Nurse is around $90,140 a year. Depending on factors like education level, location, years of experience, or employer, some professionals earn salaries that go as high as $138,000 or as low as $55,500. 

However, the majority of Oncology Nurses’ salaries currently range between $72,500 to $101,500. The significant difference in the average pay indicates many opportunities for advancement and higher income within the oncological field. 

What Is the Role of an Oncology Nurse?

Oncology nurses play a vital role in healthcare. As a central link in the oncological team, their roles extend over all aspects of cancer treatment. 

Clinical care 

First and foremost, Oncology RNs provide care to patients in clinical settings. They can be involved in patient assessments, provide bedside care to patients undergoing treatments, administer drugs and treatments per the oncologist’s prescription, and consistently monitor patients, their pain levels, symptoms, and so on. 

Emotional support

In working with cancer patients, one of a nurse’s most important roles is to provide emotional support during some of the most challenging times. Oncological patients may experience great emotional concerns and anxieties, and it is a nurse’s compassion, interpersonal skills, and therapeutic communication that helps them work through their worries and feelings.   

Education

Providing education to patients and their families is crucial to a nurse’s job. Oncology RNs help patients know more about their disease, treatment course, and expected side effects. There’s lots of medical jargon and complicated terminology surrounding cancer that may overwhelm patients. It is part of a nurse’s role to make sure they understand what hides under the cloak of complex doctor talk. 

Oncology nurses also serve as a source of education for the patient’s family and loved ones. They help them deal with their own feelings and teach them how to provide the best care at home. 

Advocating for patients

Nurses must always speak up for their patients and ensure they keep their patients’ interests front and center. Advocating for patients means keeping their needs always top-of-mind, even in uncomfortable or difficult situations. That is exactly what makes a great oncology nurse. 

What Are The Silver Linings of Working in Oncology Nursing?

Oncology nursing is a complex and emotionally charged job in which the highs are tremendous, and the lows are devastating. Under these circumstances, you may ponder the question: Why be an oncology nurse? What makes this job worth it? There are many rewarding things about embracing an oncology career. These are only some of them:

You’ll build relationships with your patients. 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest things in anyone’s life. Cancer patients need support, stability, and comfort in these frightening times. And Oncology Nurses always deliver. They are present for patients throughout long and painful treatments. All the time spent together means they will learn about the patients’ lives, families, and aspirations. They provide care and comfort during every interaction and build strong relationships with patients. It’s a rewarding feeling: to be there for patients and their families when they need it most. 

It allows you to see life through a new lens

Sometimes, we forget how lucky we are to be alive and well. We fail to appreciate the things we have and lose perspective of the things that matter. Working in the oncology department is a hard albeit important reality check. 

Potential for career advancement

Working in oncology settings allows for a lot of room for career growth. You may choose to specialize in a specific oncology nursing area or take the APRN route and become an Oncological Nurse Practitioner. Indeed, there are numerous learning and career development opportunities if you work as a nurse oncologist.  

Great Job benefits

Oncology nursing is in great demand, which ensures you’ll have excellent job security. Another good thing about this profession is that you’ll enjoy a traditional schedule with nights and weekends off in most work settings. 

What Are the Challenges of Working in Oncology Settings?

While oncology nursing can be one of the most rewarding professions, it also comes with its challenges. 

It is an emotionally taxing job.

Caring for cancer patients can get physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. You are exposed to a lot of suffering, which can even take a toll on the strongest nurses. Also, with a disease as unpredictable and cruel as cancer, it is impossible to expect full recovery all the time. While there is no greater joy than to see the survivors, it is also painful to have a lot of patients who don’t make it. 

Potential for burnout

Oncology nurses tend to always put a brave face in front of their patients and coworkers. Even during their worst days, they’re strong for their clients. But constantly putting others’ needs in front of their own can lead to burnout.

Learn more about nursing burnout and how to combat it.  

Are You Ready to Embrace a Career in Nursing Oncology?

All nurses deal with patients who are sick, hurting, and in pain. It is the nature of their job, and they do it with impeccable grace, care, and professionalism. But for Oncology Nurses, there’s an additional layer of sensitivity in the job description. Caring for cancer patients is a difficult task that requires compassionate, competent, strong professionals. 

Through the highest and lowest moment of cancer treatment and survivorship, Oncology RNs put all their care into the service of the most vulnerable. They are true heroes expertly navigating the emotionally-charged landscape of oncological care. 

Are you ready to become one of them?

Enroll today in Nightingale College’s BSN Program and start your career in the field of oncological nursing. 

Public health is the heart of a community’s wellbeing. It is about promoting health and providing protection for people in all aspects of their life – where they work, live, learn, or play. Most often, people seek healthcare services once they are sick or injured. Public health aims to help people avoid sickness or injury in the first place. That’s why public health saves money, reduces suffering, and helps communities thrive. 

Nurses play a central part in public health. From promoting wellness and championing healthy behaviors to tracking disease outbreaks or partaking in studies that improve people’s quality of life, Public Health Nurses have their finger on the pulse of the field. Suffice it to say, pursuing a career path in public health nursing is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling roads you could take. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer glimpse at the specialty of public health nursing. If you’ve ever wondered how to become a Public Health Nurse, how much they earn, or what exactly their role is, you have come to the right place. 

Let’s get right into it!

What Is a Public Health Nurse?

The most encompassing definition of public health nursing comes from the American Public Health Association:

“Public health nursing is the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences.”

Not only does this definition emphasize the all-embracing nature of the job, but it also recognizes the profession’s importance for the healthcare industry. 

In short, a Public Health Nurse is a healthcare professional whose aim is to improve population health by focusing on the prevention of diseases, ailments, injuries, and other health concerns. The health of individuals and communities is often impacted by determinants like the social and economic environment, the physical environment, and a person’s characteristics and behaviors. Public Health Nurses consider each of these health determinants when doing their job and recognize that a healthy lifestyle depends on all of them. 

Public Health Nurses are sometimes interchangeably called Community Health Nurses.

The Roles of a Public Health Nurse

Community Health Nurses comprise the largest segment of healthcare professionals in the public health workforce. Thus, it is clear that public health nursing is a tremendously important specialty, but what are some of the specific contributions that RNs make to public health?

The roles of a Public Health Nurse are multifaceted and include multiple areas of nursing practice. From advocacy and policy development to health planning and providing individualized nursing care, a Community Health Nurse has many critical roles in the healthcare industry.

Public Health Nurses respond to public health crises

Public Health Nurses’ work requires them to always be prepared to respond to public health crises like disease outbreaks or natural disasters. The Coronavirus outbreak is only the latest in a long list of threats to public health that Registered Nurses specialized in public health have helped track and fight.

They are involved in research

Public Health Nurses can also be involved in studies that examine why specific populations are more susceptible to certain diseases. Public health professionals need to understand the characteristics of each patient population. That allows them to plan health programs, better prepare for public health emergencies, determine possible side effects when it comes to treatments and find ways to combat them.

Public Health Nurses participate in advocacy and policy development 

Advocating for laws that target health concerns is another role of public health nurses. For example, their expertise may be needed as input on legislation that bans smoking indoors, makes it mandatory to wear seatbelts, or concerns the fluoridation of public water drinking systems.

Education: one of the main roles of Public Health Nurses

Educating people remains one of the primary roles of Public Health Nurses. Often, they may hold meetings at schools, senior centers, and community groups on various topics. Some areas in which nurses could provide education are related to the detrimental effects of tobacco and alcohol, the opioid crisis, proper nutrition, safety practices, early detection of certain diseases, and many others. 

What Does a Public Health Nurse Do?

Usually, a Public Health Nurse’s job description includes duties and responsibilities that involve but are not limited to the following:

• • Assessing health trends and identifying health risk factors for specific communities
  • Developing visual health programs by using a community-oriented approach
  • Prioritizing health-related interventions so that as many people as possible benefit from them
  • Advocating for improved access to health services for underserved communities with authorities at the local, state, and federal level
  • Devising and implementing health education campaigns and disease prevention actions
  • Conducting immunization campaigns
  • Providing screening services
  • Educating people about different health services that are available to them, thus improving their access to care
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs
  • Providing education to vulnerable and at-risk populations
  • Providing referrals to doctors, social workers, or other professionals when necessary
  • Managing budgets for different types of community health programs or campaigns
  • Recording and analyzing data
  • Building relationships with patients and providing follow-up care
  • Providing preventive care to people from underserved communities or individuals who lack access to medical care

The Pros and Cons of Working As a Public Health Nurse

Working as a Public Health Nurse, just like any other job, comes with its share of advantages and challenges. We think the first far outweigh the latter, but, ultimately, you decide if the pros prevail over the cons.

Advantages of becoming a Public Health Nurse: 

• High levels of job satisfaction. A career in public health nursing has you performing meaningful work that benefits entire communities. There’s no greater sense of satisfaction a job can provide than the knowledge that your efforts are making life a little better for a lot of people. 
• You’ll meet and learn from people from all walks of life. This job offers you the chance to interact, work with and help people from the most diverse backgrounds and environments. It’ll supercharge your empathy and make you a better person.
• Public Health RNs make a comfortable living, can easily maintain a work-life balance, and enjoy great job security.

Cons of Working as a Public Health Nurse

• Sometimes things in the public health arena aren’t as efficient as you’d like. Public policy may take time to change. People and communities won’t always follow your advice. Regardless of the hurdles, you need to remain patient and hopeful. 
• Limited resources is another issue you may encounter in this job, especially in more impoverished areas. You may have to deal with supply shortages, equipment deficiencies, and lack of assistance. 
• Experiencing burnout is unfortunately not unheard of in the public health industry. Factors like inefficient work environments and great deals of emotional stress can take a toll on Public Health Nurses and lead to burnout. That’s why it’s imperative to know what nursing burnout is and – most importantly – how to combat it before it negatively impacts your health, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. 

How to Become a Public Health Nurse

If you got this far, you’re probably curious to find out what degree you need to become a public health nurse, what programs may get you there, and how long the process will take. So, next, let’s focus on the requirements aspiring nurses must fulfill to become Public Health Nurses.

Generally, you can become a Public Health Nurse in about four years from the moment you enroll in nursing school. The minimum educational requirement to assume this position is RN licensure. 

Step 1: Enroll in an Accredited Nursing Program

There are several paths to gaining RN licensure. The first option is enrolling in an Associate’s Degree program. An ADN is the fastest way to become a Registered Nurse. This type of program takes around two years to complete. 

The second option is to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. While an ADN is still recognized as the minimum licensure requirement for RNs, over 71% of healthcare employers strongly prefer BSN graduates when filling nursing positions. You can complete a BSN degree in about four years. 

Nightingale College’s BSN degree is a perfect match for aspiring nurses who want to improve individual, family, and community health and wellness. In as little as 32 months, it will equip you with the evidence-based skill and knowledge to make you an outstanding Public Health Nurse.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

Obtaining your RN licensure isn’t conditional on choosing either the ADN or the BSN route. The step you do need to complete to become a fully-fledged Registered Nurse is passing the NCLEX-RN exam. It’s a comprehensive five-hour test that crowns your nursing student experience and determines how prepared you are to be an RN. Once you pass that hurdle, you can officially go after your dream job in public health nursing.

Step 3: Start Working

With the well-deserved RN credential under your belt, it is now time to apply in the real world all the skills and knowledge you’ve gained in nursing school. Make sure your nursing resume is up-to-date and highlights your best skills. Find a position in public health that sparks your interest and start helping communities lead healthier, better lives. 

Step 4: Consider advancing your education

Many nurses who start their careers with an Associate’s Degree choose to advance their education to a BSN level later in their career. The best way to achieve this is to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. This type of program is faster and less costly. Plus, most RN-to-BSNs can be completed online, allowing you to work simultaneously. 

Nightingale College’s accredited RN-to-BSN program is an excellent choice for working professionals who want to elevate the field of public health nursing by increasing their knowledge and expertise. It’s entirely online, and you can complete it in three semesters or 12 months.

If you are keen on advancing to the top of your field, you have the option to become a Public Health Nurse Practitioner. Public Health NP is an advanced nursing role, so a Master’s degree will be required to practice. 

Do Public Health Nurses Need Certification?

RN licensure is the only box you have to check if you want a career in public health nursing. Certification is not a mandatory requirement for aspiring Community Health Nurses. 

There is no specific certificate for public health nursing at the generalist level. Nevertheless, nurses who are invested in climbing higher on the professional ladder can obtain the Certification in Public Health offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. This credential demonstrates your knowledge of key public health sciences and your commitment to the field. You need at least a Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of five years of experience in public health to be eligible for the certification and become a certified Public Health Nurse.

What Is a Public Health Nurse’s Salary?

The question of “How much does a public health nurse make?” must have crossed your mind and the time to answer it has come. 

According to data from Indeed, the average salary of a Public Health Nurse is $64,610 per year. That is around $27.73 hourly. Of course, education level, years of experience, and location can all play a role in the size of your paycheck. Still, this is lower than the average salary reported by the Bureau of Labour Statistics for Registered Nurses, which currently stands at $77,600 annually.

While this specialty is not among the highest-paid nursing jobs, other benefits supplement the compensation package. One significant perk is that Public Health RNs have a convenient and relatively structured schedule. Also, the job outlook for this profession is excellent, ensuring great career security for people aiming for this specialization. 

Where Can a Public Health Nurse Work?

Working in public health allows nurses to find employment in some less traditional nursing environments. For the most part, Public health RNs work for:

• Government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Community health centers
• School systems
• Outpatient and community clinics. 

Unlike most typical nursing careers,  Community Health Nurses commonly adhere to a nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday schedule. They are also exempt from working evenings, weekends, or holidays, making public health an excellent job for aspiring nurses who want to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Depending on the hiring organization and the subtleties of the role, Community Health Nurses can work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team. Nurses with more experience may have to supervise other team members. 

Working as a Public Health Nurse vs. Hospital Nurse

Because of their job description, the role of a Public Health Nurse slightly differs from that of a Hospital Nurse. Traditional Registered Nurses mostly care for individual patients, while Public Health Nurses care for entire populations. 

Bedside nursing care is integral for Hospital Nurses. At the same time, Community Health RNs are involved with bedside care to a lesser extent. Instead, they focus mainly on community nursing, improving community health, increasing access to care, and educating people about prevention and safety.

Are You Ready to Become a Public Health Nurse?

Public Health Nurses are empathetic to the struggles of other people. They are always focused on positively impacting an entire community and would love nothing more than to help as many people as possible. They are great communicators who feel at ease in front of large crowds. Moreover, Public Health RNs are excellent educators, always prepared to present complex and vital information in an easy-to-understand manner to patients from all walks of life. 

If these descriptors fit your personality, then public health nursing is the best career for you. It’s a gratifying job through which you get to help many people lead better, healthier lives. 

Start your journey to becoming a Public Health Nurse today. Enroll in Nightingale College’s BSN program, and we’ll equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your future nursing career!

Congratulations are in order! All the years of hard work, the sleepless nights spent studying, the numerous exams, the resume crafting and the nursing interviews have now come to an end as you embark on the new leg of your nursing journey. You are officially a Registered Nurse and you are launching off a career doing what you love most. 

The first days up to the first year on the job can be overwhelming. When you’re a new nurse, meeting new people, applying textbook knowledge to real-life situations, and learning by doing each job-related activity can be equally exciting and terrifying. 

A smooth transition from student life to RN life is any nurse’s dream. We have put together a guide with the best tips and tricks to help you achieve that. Let’s go through some of the best advice that will ensure that you not only survive your first year as a new grad nurse, but make the absolute best out of it!

Break the ice

The first few days of a nurse job are pivotal for any new grad. As you step into your career, there are many new faces and names to remember and many people you’ll work with whom you should try to get to know. 

Since nursing is not a solitary enterprise, an excellent tip is to take the initiative and get to know your coworkers. And we’re not only talking about your fellow nurses but also make a case of introducing yourself to all the people involved in the running of a unit or hospital: the physicians, the residents, the nursing assistants, the managers, the physical therapists, the nutritionists, and the cleaning staff. Knowing the people you work with will help you get more comfortable in your new environment faster. It’s also useful for the colleagues on the other side of the introduction because they are just as eager to make your acquaintance.

Find a mentor

Finding a nursing mentor, either someone who works in the same institution or someone from the outside, whose advice and expertise you trust, may come a long way in helping you adjust to a new career. A valuable mentoring relationship relies on you asking questions, taking notes, establishing goals, setting expectations, and developing clear objectives for yourself and your nursing practice. Your mentor can be a tremendous help in this process. 

You don’t have to know everything on your first day.

You cannot expect to be an expert from your first day on the job. Nursing school provides a solid foundation, but you’ll discover that real-life nursing is different from what you’ve experienced so far through textbooks and clinicals. So, allow yourself time to be a novice nurse and grow into the expertise you know you are capable of having. You may need more time to adjust to hospital protocols or learn specific procedures – and that’s perfectly okay. You are bound to become an excellent nurse as long as you don’t stop learning, especially during your transition period, and take on every challenge with excitement and curiosity. 

Always ask questions.

We cannot stress this new-nurse tip enough: Do not be afraid to ask questions! A patient’s treatment, recovery, or even life can depend on it. Going into a new job, nurses want to make a good first impression, and some may think that asking questions is a sign of weakness or an indication of a lack of expertise. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. First, as we mentioned in the last piece of advice, no one expects you to be an expert on your first day. Second, the healthcare field is constantly changing and improving, and the best way to navigate all the changes as a new nurse is by asking questions, being curious, and being willing to learn. 

Other nurses may assume they already know everything, which is equally dangerous. You cannot let your ego stand in the way of the quality of care you deliver. When you’re even a little unsure about the best course of action, it’s best to clarify than make a mistake with potentially disastrous results. Patient safety always comes first; sometimes the best way to achieve that is by asking questions.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Sometimes a question answered by a more experienced nurse will be enough assistance to put you on the right track. Other times you may need a little more guidance than just an answer. Perhaps you’re uncomfortable performing a procedure independently because you’ve never done it before. Or maybe you feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks you have lined up. Asking for help is highly encouraged because it is a sure way for you to grow. 

Supervision from a more experienced nurse when you’re nervous about a procedure can help you get more confident in your ability to perform it. Asking about tips and tricks to better manage your tasks can help you develop a routine that works for you. Providing nursing care takes a village, and asking for help is what keeps the village running.

Accept mistakes

As much as we would love to avoid it, nursing mistakes happen. To err is human and even though their care, strength, and resilience make them superheroes, nurses are still, first and foremost, humans. What matters most is to not let a mistake define you. Do not ignore it, but don’t beat yourself up over it, either. Instead, figure out what caused the error and find ways to learn from it. Nursing is a lifelong learning process, and this process may get challenging or rocky. Take every bump in the road as an opportunity to get better at your practice.

Learn to prioritize tasks

One of the most important things you need to get the hang of as a new nurse is the art of time management. It’s definitely not easy to master, so you ought to be patient with yourself as you navigate all the intricacies of learning to prioritize. As a nurse, you have many tasks to manage: taking vitals, doing assessments, performing nursing diagnoses, administering medications – and all for multiple patients. At the same time, some patients are more critical, and some tasks more pressing. It’s crucial to find an organizational technique that works for you. 

Here are some tricks for newbie nurses searching for a prioritization system. You can organize your tasks in three categories: Must Do within 30 minutes, Should Do within four hours, and Could Do by the end of the shift. If you are a more visual person, what may work for you is drawing boxes in front of your list of tasks and assigning colors to each box based on priority. Also, feel free to ask the more experienced nurses in your institution what routine works for them. You can always draw inspiration from other nurses and adjust their techniques to work for you. 

Don’t forget about your role as a patient advocate.

One of the primary responsibilities of Registered Nurses is acting as patient advocates. As an RN, you are the healthcare professional who spends the most time with the patient, so you are in the unique and incredibly important position of advocating for your client and ensuring their safety. 

If you notice any wrongdoings in the process of care or if you think your patient’s wishes or beliefs are not being respected, you need to speak up. Take your concerns to the Charge Nurse or someone higher up in the nursing hierarchy. Always make sure your patient comes first. 

Self Care is Key!

Nurses tend to be some of the most selfless and dedicated people, always putting the needs of others before their own. But when starting this job, there’s a crucial piece of advice you should always keep in mind: you are your most important patient. In order to be the best nurse you can be, you need to prioritize your health, safety, wellbeing, and emotions. Take care of yourself. Take time to decompress when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sleep well, eat well, stay hydrated, and exercise. Make sure you devote time to family, friends, and hobbies outside of work. These activities will help you avoid burnout and keep you passionate about nursing. 

Check out our article for more tips and tricks to avoid nursing burnout. 

Never stop learning

You’ve collected a great deal of knowledge through nursing school, preparing for the NCLEX, or attending clinicals. But guess what: with nursing, even though you are no longer technically in school, you never stop learning. The healthcare field develops at impressive speeds, so you must keep your skills sharp and knowledge updated at all points of your career. 

Also, you’ll find that you can sharpen your skills by acting as a sponge and absorbing information from all around the workplace. Listen and learn from the more experienced nurses. They can introduce you to practices and advice that took them years to acquire. You’ll set yourself up for success if you go into work ready to improve and learn something new every day. 

Being a lifelong learner is key for RNs who take their job seriously. 

Nursing is about teamwork.

While necessary for any job, for nursing professionals, it’s all the more important to build positive professional relationships with your colleagues. People’s lives may depend on your collaboration with fellow nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff members. Take the time to get to know your coworkers. Join them in activities outside of work. Find people you can rely on in your work community to whom you can go for advice or help. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to be best friends with your coworkers but establishing good relationships will make the workday go faster and help you become a better nurse. 

The struggle is part of the process. 

There may come a time, especially at the beginning of your nursing career, when you feel discouraged, frustrated, or unsure of your skill and knowledge. It’s not hard to fall into the traps of imposter syndrome. It’s essential to understand that struggling a bit, especially as a new grad, is entirely normal and part of every nurse’s process. 

As you gain more experience, all the tasks that seemed challenging at first will become more manageable to the point where they become second nature. Don’t let yourself get intimidated by the initial struggles, and you will reap the benefits of a wonderful nursing carer. Have confidence in your skills and knowledge. Still, always try to improve them by consistently embracing the struggles and even stepping outside your comfort zone.  

Feel free to cheat a little bit now.

You are likely blissfully aware of this, but a reminder is essential: nursing school is over, and with it begone are the exams, the tests, and the countless sleepless nights spent memorizing pages worth of information. Now that you are actually working, you don’t have to rely solely on your memory. A little cheating is not only accepted but it’s also encouraged. 

As an employed nursing professional, you no longer aim to pass a test but to provide quality and safe care. Do you have some questions about the conditions for administering certain medications? Look them up. Are you unsure about the appropriate vital signs for a specific age group? The answer is one search away. There are many ways to ‘cheat’ as a new nurse. Carry a pocket-sized reference guide. Use apps. Have handy a notebook where you note down important things that you may need to remember or recall repeatedly. Very soon, you won’t even need all these ‘aids,’ but until then, don’t feel embarrassed to rely on outside resources, not only on your memory. 

Some things are not to be taken personally.

You have to develop a relatively thick skin as a nurse. Dealing with frustrated patients, disgruntled or worried families, angry doctors, or bad nurses will become part of your routine from the first few days of your nursing practice. Initially, it may be challenging not to let others’ frustrations and worries take a toll on you, but you need to learn that this is merely a product of the environment and not an attack on you. 

For instance, when people are in pain, they may be less courteous; when someone is worried about their partner, they may be less calm and understanding in talking to the nurse. Be empathetic but don’t let things or words affect you too much.

However, when it comes to unprofessional coworkers, you shouldn’t just glance over if something bothers you or if their performance is affecting patient wellbeing. Seek support from higher management. Charge Nurses, Nursing Administrators, Nurse Leaders are there to listen to you. 

Keep a straight face

A poker face is one of the most significant assets for a Registered Nurse—the things you may see or hear while on the job may seem unbelievable to anyone else. Still, you must graciously and professionally attend to everything. 

Don’t let shock be read on your face when talking to patients. Don’t let judgment be part of your attitude when dealing with any situation. People you care for may be in vulnerable positions, and knowing they can trust you goes a long way in making them feel more comfortable. 

Comfortable shoes go a long way.

The following piece of advice is more pragmatic in nature, but it is one of the most important, albeit often overlooked bits of information on this list. Always wear comfortable shoes! Nurses walk around five miles during an average 12-hour day shift. Some simple math and we find out that it only takes a little over five shifts to cover the marathon distance. As such, you must ensure you are most comfortable if you want to perform your best throughout your entire work day. 

You need to find a style and brand that works for you, but to help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of the most loved nursing shoes. 

Get a notebook and master the art of note-taking.

Fresh out of nursing school and just entering a real-life work environment, it might feel overwhelming to keep up with all the tasks, responsibilities, and demands. Writing them down is a good idea if you don’t want to let things slip through the cracks. 

Jot down lists of things to do during your shift. Make handy notes for yourself of things you need to remember or recall often. Your notebook will be an excellent way to keep you organized and ensure you don’t forget any of the essential things on your plate. As you get more experienced, you may develop a routine that won’t even require a notebook, but in the beginning, you’ll find it an excellent tool to ease and improve your practice.    

Take your breaks

Being a novice nurse doesn’t mean you have to work until you drop to prove you deserve your position in the organization or win anyone’s favor. Your breaks are essential to your work schedule because they allow time to recharge. Amid all the stress and anxiety that comes with the job, it’s crucial to have a few minutes for yourself. Eat, hydrate, or relax – use your breaks however you see fit, but don’t refuse them. Being overworked will not make you a better nurse. Prioritizing yourself will. 

Be flexible

The unexpected is the only thing you can expect from life as a nurse. You may work in the Emergency Room or a neonatal unit. Maybe your job has you in a private clinic or a public hospital. Work environments, job titles, and job descriptions may vary, but one thing remains consistent: you must be flexible and adjust quickly. When chaos ensues – and it will inevitably will sooner or later – you will find that flexibility is the skill that keeps you afloat.

Give yourself time with charting.

Charting is a significant part of your responsibilities, and you need to get good and efficient at it. But give yourself time. It might take a while to get the hang of all the ins and outs of your institution’s charting system. Especially as a new graduate when you are still unfamiliar with the system. 

While charting is significant, nothing is more important than patient care, so always put your patient first and charting second. If you manage to do real-time charting, that will increase your efficiency. But it’s critical to be patient and give yourself time to reach that point in your practice. 

Truly, genuinely, and wholeheartedly enjoy it!

Brace yourself for the most noteworthy piece of advice we have for new, experienced – and all nurses in general: You’ve worked hard for it, and now you deserve to enjoy it fully. Cherish the fact that you are on the frontlines of saving lives. Find value in having followed your calling. Enjoy the paychecks, the benefits, and the growth opportunities. Take delight in the professional and personal relationships you develop. Enjoy clocking into work every morning and appreciate each shift’s challenges and rewards. 

And most importantly, never lose sight of your ‘why.’ Why you became a nurse, why you keep at it, why you feel like this is your calling. As long as your ‘why’ is at the heart of your practice, you’ll always have a reason to genuinely and wholeheartedly enjoy what you do. 

The field of healthcare is evolving at a rapid pace. New digital healthcare technologies are introduced, drug development is being revolutionized, and new methods of providing more proactive, personalized, and convenient care are being used. Clinical research is at the heart of all the developments in healthcare. 

Research Nurses are a vital link in the clinical research process. As part of multidisciplinary teams, they combine science and nursing practice to find new and innovative ways to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases, ailments, and conditions. Their expertise goes towards improving the delivery of care and advancing the future of healthcare.

In this guide, we will break down the Research Nurse role. We’ll touch upon everything you need to know about what a job in clinical research implies, how to become a Nurse Researcher, what to expect in terms of salary once you do, and much more. 

Let’s get started. 

What Is a Research Nurse?

Research Nurses are also known in the healthcare industry by other names: Clinical Nurse Researcher, Clinical Trial Research Nurse, or Nurse Researcher. While the name on the job application may slightly differ, the premise of the position is the same. Research nursing is a nursing specialty that focuses on the care of patients participating in clinical studies. 

Nurse Researchers are instrumental in developing new medications, vaccinations, and medical procedures by providing and coordinating clinical care to participants. These, in turn, will positively impact millions of other patients in the long run. The quality of clinical trials and evidence-based research relies on Research Nurses; that’s why the position requires advanced education and training. 

What Does a Research Nurse Do?

Nurse Researchers have a wide range of responsibilities, so it should be no surprise that a Research Nurse’s job description is quite extensive and multifaceted. While the gist of the job is that it focuses on research, there are many specific job responsibilities that aspiring Nurse Researchers should be aware of. In this section, we will outline some of the primary duties that Research RNs may perform on a daily basis: 

• Outlining trial criteria in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary research team
• Recruiting patients for clinical trials
• Ensuring potential participants’ eligibility by conducting health screenings determining if the patients are clear of any conditions that could affect the study
• Educating the patients about the trial and answering any questions they may have about the study they are about to participate in
• Thoroughly explaining to patients the consent process and ensuring that informed consent is maintained throughout the study
• Providing clinical care to research participants
• Preparing, administering, and monitoring drugs and other treatments to participants
• Regularly assessing the participants’ state throughout the study by performing diagnostic tests and carefully monitoring their health 
• Closely observing any changes in the participants’ state, looking for both signs of improvement and decline
• Documenting all changes and extensively recording all information about the participants involved in the study. Data collection is one of the most critical steps in the research process because research will only be as good as the data. 
• Keeping records of immediate reactions to drugs or treatments, side effects, and medical histories
• Assuring participant safety by following all safety protocols during clinical trials and adhering to research regulatory standards
• Providing nursing care should medical emergencies emerge during the trial 
• Making sure the supplies and equipment are in good shape and fully functioning
• Communicating with patients and addressing their concerns
• Adhering to ethical standards
• Participating in the process of writing grant applications to secure funding
• Reporting the findings of the studies. This can imply publishing research articles in nursing journals and presenting results at conferences, meetings, or other professional events.
• Collaborating with sponsors, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare team members from different industries, institutions, and disciplines.

Where Do Clinical Research Nurses Work?

For the most part, Research Nurses will find employment in clinical research settings. These include:

• Research units situated in academic medical centers
• Research laboratories
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Medical research organizations
• Academic hospitals
• Government agencies
• Medical organizations
• International health organizations
• Private and public foundations
• Academia 

How to Become a Research Nurse?

The process of becoming a Research Nurse can be rather lengthy as it takes at least seven to eight years to earn the credentials that allow you to practice in this nursing role. In this section, we’ll walk you through the steps required to become a Nurse Researcher to help you better understand what it takes to start a career in this exciting field.

Step 1: Enroll in a Nursing Program

First, as an aspiring Research Nurse, you need to enroll in an accredited nursing program. Two popular options for prospective students are an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). Both of these programs result in licensure as a Registered Nurse. 

An ADN takes around two years to complete, while you can achieve a BSN in about four years. In order to work in clinical research, you need an advanced degree, so many nurses prefer starting their nursing journey with a Bachelor’s program. Nightingale College’s BSN program takes as few as 32 months and will equip you with the evidence-based skills and knowledge required to pass the NCLEX-RN and succeed in nursing practice. 

If you go the ADN route, you can advance your degree by enrolling in a bridge RN-to-BSN program. Most RN-to-BSNs, Nightingale College’s included, take a shorter time to obtain and are specifically designed for working professionals, allowing you to study and work simultaneously. 

Step 2: Pass your NCLEX-RN

Once you complete the nursing program, there is one more phase to fulfill before you can assume the Registered Nurse Role: passing the NCLEX-RN exam. This exhaustive five-hour examination has one overarching goal – to determine if it is safe for you to practice as an RN after completing nursing school. 

Step 3: Get some work experience

Newly graduated nurses who want to work in clinical research settings should start their careers by gaining hands-on nursing experience. Working bedside for at least a few years is highly encouraged because it equips nurses with practical knowledge and expertise. Other starting-off career paths include research assistant, clinical data collector, or clinical research monitor. 

Step 4: Advance your education

Seeking a research nurse career requires advanced degrees such as an MSN or a PhD. While a Master’s degree in Nursing is required for most clinical research jobs, a doctorate is not a prerequisite. Nurses interested in research positions may conduct independent research and operate with higher autonomy, hence the need to hold higher degrees.

Step 5: Consider getting certified

Getting certified is a voluntary practice for nurses, but it is highly encouraged. Certification in clinical research will give you a significant competitive advantage and shape you into a better and more respected professional. Some potential certification options for Nurse Researchers include: 

• Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification offered by the Society for Clinical Research Associates
• Clinical Research Associate Certification (CRA) offered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals
• Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) provided by the ACRP
• Principal Investigator Certification is also available through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

The certifications have varying eligibility criteria, so carefully review all the requirements before seeking to obtain this credential.

What Is the Salary of a Research Nurse?

There is a high demand for Nurse Researchers, which translates into higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, the median annual wage for medical scientists was $95,310. Research Nurses fit into this category as well. 

However, we also looked at data from job platforms to get a better understanding of the earning potential of people interested in this career. According to ZipRecruiter data, a Nurse Researcher earns $75,711 a year, with top earners making around $97,000 annually across the United States.

What Is the Job Outlook for Registered Nurses?

Employment projections are bright for Research Nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for healthcare research professionals is closely linked to the aging of the population. As the population ages and rates of chronic disease continue to increase, extensive research into treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s or cancer, and other problems related to treatment, like resistance to antibiotics, is paramount. And as we have mentioned before, Nurse Researchers play a vital part in helping advance healthcare, making them indispensable to the workforce. 

What Are Some Research Nursing Subspecialties?

Research nursing incorporates more career tracks. That’s why knowing what jobs are available for nurses aspiring to work in the field is helpful. In addition to the role of the Clinical Research Nurse, other positions may be of interest.

A Clinical Research Coordinator ensures the smooth operation of the clinical trial. They are responsible for delegating tasks, organizing data collection, and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed to the dot. 

The Research Nurse Supervisor manages the day-to-day running of the clinical trial. They keep tabs on the research progressing according to a pre-established plan and are often responsible for determining patients’ eligibility to participate in the study.

The Principal Investigator is responsible for the big picture and the overall management of the clinical trial. They have a say in preparing, conducting, and administering the study and ensure it complies with federal or institutional guidelines. Principal Investigators are in charge of managing budgets and timelines. 

Are You Ready to Start Your Journey towards Advancing Healthcare?

From myriad potential career paths, aspiring nurses can choose one tailored to their interests, personality, educational background, ambitions, and much more. Individuals who want to be part of the bigger picture and advance the healthcare field will find nursing research a wonderful fit. 

It is a job that pays well, offers excellent security, and puts you at the forefront of all the developments in the healthcare industry. Getting this career may be lengthy and challenging, but it’s equally rewarding. And it starts with a single step: becoming a Registered Nurse. 

Enroll in Nightingale College’s BSN Program today or advance your education with our online RN-to-BSN Program. Great things are happening in healthcare, and you can help shape them!

Registered Nurses make up one of the largest segments of the U.S. workforce and, by far, the largest component of the healthcare workforce. In order to ensure that nurses can efficiently deliver on their duties as the primary providers of hospital patient care and long-term care, the nursing staff must be expertly managed and coordinated. And that’s where nursing administration comes into play. 

Due to the fact that nursing administration is a fast expanding healthcare field, Registered Nurses now have access to a broader array of career opportunities in management. Depending on how high you aim to climb on the nursing ladder, you can opt to become a Nurse Administrator, a Director of Nursing, or a Chief Nursing Officer. 

This guide will bring into the spotlight the role of the Nurse Administrator, the first position in the nursing administration hierarchy. So, if you’re curious about what a Nurse Administrator is, how to become one, and what salary you can expect if pursuing this job, you have come to the right place. 

What Is a Nursing Administrator? 

Nurse Administrators, sometimes also called Nurse Managers, are licensed Registered Nurses responsible for coordinating and managing other nurses within a medical facility. Typically they supervise one unit or nursing department. The core of their job description is to ensure that patients receive top-quality care and that the department operates like a well-oiled machine. Nurse Administrators are in charge of day-to-day operations, budgets, staffing, policy implementation, and setting the strategic course for the entire unit. Keeping the nursing staff driven and inspired helps them achieve their goals and run the department efficiently. 

How to Become a Nurse Administrator?

In this section, we’ll guide you through the entire process of securing a job in nursing administration. Notably, becoming a Nurse Administrator requires a combination of schooling and work experience. 

A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is the minimum educational requirement for Nurse Administrators. There are several avenues you could take to obtain this degree. You can enroll in a traditional BSN program. It takes around four years to complete, and once you pass the NCLEX-RN, you’re ready to enter the workforce directly as a Bachelor’s trained nurse. Nightingale College’s BSN program features a blended format, with online didactic learning and on-ground supervised field experience. In as few as 32 months, you’ll be prepared to start leaving your mark on the healthcare industry.

Aspiring RNs who decide not to enroll in a BSN program straight away due to length of program, costs, or personal preference, can instead take the ADN route. You can enroll in an Associate’s degree program, which takes around two years and start practicing as a Licensed Registered Nurse as soon as you pass the NCLEX exam. Should you decide to advance your career toward the nursing administration ranks, the next step in your education process would be to get your BSN. Since you already have your ADN degree, a fast track bridge RN-to-BSN program is the quickest and easiest way to achieve that. This type of program takes from one to two years. Most schools, Nightingale College included, offer the possibility of completing it online, allowing you to keep working through your studies. 

While a Bachelor’s degree is still the minimum requirement to enter a nursing administration career, a Master’s Degree is quite common and increasingly preferred by employers. 

Even with the schooling requirements fulfilled, it will still be a few years before you can go after a job in nursing administration. Typically, you need at least two years of bedside nursing experience before moving into a non-clinical, supervisory role. However, the hands-on work experience is invaluable for aspiring Nurse Administrators because it helps them gain perspective on the entire nursing practice. Clinical expertise makes administrators better professionals in the long run. 

Do Nurse Administrators Need Certifications?

While getting certified is not mandatory for Registered Nurses, it is undoubtedly a big plus. Certification leads to increased recognition from peers and supervisors, helping you stand out to potential employers. Also, it boosts your confidence in your skills and knowledge, making you a better nurse. 

Some possible certification opportunities for Nurse Administrators include:

• Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
• Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) is also offered by the ANCC. 
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), designed exclusively for nurse leaders in the nurse manager role, offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

Find out more reasons why you should consider getting certified. 

What Is the Role of a Nurse Administrator in a Healthcare Setting?

The Nurse Administrator is a vital link in the healthcare chain. While they don’t provide bedside care, they oversee the nurses who do, thus being directly responsible for the quality of care in a specific nursing setting. With a complex and extensive job description, Nurse Administrators must always be ready to tackle new tasks. These are some of the functions and duties nursing administration brings to the table: 

• Attending meetings to coordinate with nursing staff and higher management
• Interviewing and hiring staff
• Conducting performance reviews and recording results of evaluations
• Reporting on job performance and staff needs serving as a liaison between nursing staff and higher management
• Developing training and overseeing educational opportunities for nurses in the department
• Taking care of scheduling
• Managing nurses’ concerns
• Handling complaints from patients, doctors, nurses
• Mediating conflicts that may arise among nurses
• Addressing budgeting and record-keeping
• Ensuring the unit/department meets all the safety standards
• Ordering and keeping track of new equipment for the unit
• Establishing policies to improve patient care.

What Qualities Should RNs Who Work in Nursing Administration Have? 

Being a Nurse Administrator is no easy task, but having a well-rounded set of skills will come a long way. These are some of the abilities and qualities that will make your career in nursing administration a resounding success. 

Communication skills are a high priority. As a Nurse Administrator, you direct the communication flow from the bedside to the boardroom. You communicate policies and procedures to nurses ensuring the staff’s compliance with new laws and regulations. You also advocate for the RNs’ needs to higher management. Strong communication skills can help you juggle these responsibilities. 

Being detail-oriented is a vital characteristic of nursing administration. You may have to organize and maintain scheduling and billing information for your department. You need to keep an eye out for the state of the equipment and the need for improvements. So paying close attention to detail and being very organized will prove helpful. 

Interpersonal skills are another definite asset. You collaborate with a wide array of professionals, from nurses and physicians to Directors of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officers, and other members of the institution’s top management. You may also have to collaborate with health insurance representatives, social workers and other professionals. 

Technical skills will also come to your advantage. Staying on top of the advances in healthcare technology and data analytics will provide you with the expertise necessary to pass down these skills to other staff members and improve the quality of care. For example, suppose the institution you work at adopts a new electronic health record (EHR) system. In that case, you need to oversee the training of nurses in using this new technology. You can only do that if you possess the technical abilities to begin with. 

Leadership skills are an essential part of working in nursing administration. When you’re responsible for training, motivating, and leading staff, you’ll find it very handy to be a good and respected leader. 

How Much Do Nurse Administrators Earn?

While no specific data for Nurse Administrators are available, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on the salaries of Medical and Health Services Managers. Since Nurse Administrators fit this job description, BLS data will also reflect their salary prospects. 

The average annual salary for Nurse Administrators is $101,340. The size of the paycheck will vary depending on several factors: location, employer, education, certification, and years of experience. It also varies based on industry. For example, Healthcare Administrators working in hospitals earn on average $119,450. Those employed in outpatient care centers bring home around $99,540, while a job in administration in nursing and residential care facilities offers wages in the vicinity of $83,550. 

Find a more detailed view of how much Nurse Administrators earn in every state in our article. 

For the most part, Nurse Administrators work full time, Monday through Friday. Work during evenings or weekends may be occasionally required for RNs working in hospitals or nursing homes as these are settings that don’t follow traditional business opening hours. 

What Is the Job Outlook in Nursing Administration?

Alongside salary benefits, working in nurse administration comes with one more essential advantage: the job has an excellent job outlook. Employment of Medical and Health Services Managers, including Nurse Administrators, is projected to grow 32 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

The demand for healthcare services increases exponentially as the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life. This means that there is a pressing need for more nurses to care for growing numbers of patients. It also implies a greater need for nursing administrators to organize, manage and supervise the nursing workforce. In all, strong job prospects await the aspiring RNs who want a career in nursing administration. 

Ready to Start Climbing the Nursing Administration Ladder?

Pursuing a job in nursing administration can be an exciting opportunity for career advancement. If you are ready to trade your bedside role for a non-clinical management position, then this can be a natural next step for your career. It comes with additional responsibilities and challenges but also with many financial and professional rewards. And we’d love nothing more than to help you get there. 

Our accredited programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your nursing career. Don’t wait to apply! Enroll today in Nightingale College’s BSN degree or advance your education with our online RN-to-BSN program. 

Healthcare is an intricate ordeal, especially for people diagnosed with serious illnesses. Understanding and learning to cope with a severe disease is a complex process, and patients will often need professional help to navigate it and ensure they always make informed decisions regarding their treatment. Here’s where the Nurse Navigator comes in. 

Introduced in the 1990s, the position of Nurse Navigator proved to be extremely valuable in healthcare for being so relatively new. Having a Nurse Navigator on their side can truly make a difference in the tumultuous health journey many patients are charged with. 

If you’re interested in a career in this specialty, we’re here to show you all the ins and outs of the profession. Everything you need to know – from education requirements to job description and salary prospects – will be discussed in this guide. 

Let’s start. 

What is a Nurse Navigator?

Nurse Navigators are healthcare professionals who assist the patient from initial diagnosis through the entire treatment process and, in the most unfortunate cases, through end-of-life care. They are the middle man between patient and clinical care staff, ensuring patients are experiencing as little worry and uncertainty in the face of a life-changing diagnosis. For the most part, Nurse Navigators work with oncology patients facing chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, but the role is quickly expanding. Cardiology and other specialized critical care areas also benefit from the services of this specialized role. 

They act as personal advocates, and the core of the job is offering personalized care to patients, families, and caregivers. An essential element of the job is accounting for all the patient’s needs – that means clinical, financial, psychological, and spiritual. 

An example might explain best what exactly is a Nurse Navigator. It takes a village to offer care to an oncology patient undergoing cancer treatment. Part of the large healthcare team is the primary care physician, oncologist, oncology nurses, palliative care doctors, social workers, genetic counselors, pathologists, clinical pharmacists, diagnostic radiologists, and rehabilitation therapists. Having to deal with and interact with this many professionals can be overwhelming. And who does the patient go to if they have a question or an issue occurs? Here’s when the Oncology Nurse Navigator can prove a life savior. Oncology Nurse Navigators serve as the individuals guide from diagnosis through survivorship. They act as the middle man between the oncology team by providing education, support services, counseling, and care to the patient. This is an invaluable help for a population as fragile as cancer patients.

For the most part, RN Navigators will work in clinical and hospital settings. In addition to collaborating with healthcare professionals in their institution, Patient Navigators must maintain close ties to clinicians in other organizations. Also, having a wide array of contacts in community agencies is essential for people interested in this nursing role. 

What does a Nurse Navigator Do?

The job description of a Nurse Navigator is extensive and complex, but at the same time, it’s extremely rewarding. It largely revolves around education, providing resources, monitoring symptoms, and offering psychological assistance. Below, you can find a more detailed list of everyday tasks for Nurse Navigators:

• Provide education to patients about their condition, prescribed treatment, and potential side effects clearly and respectfully. 
• Answer any questions the patient may have at all stages of the care process. Should you not be able to provide satisfactory and informative answers, serve as the intermediate between patient and physician.
• Provide instructions regarding treatment procedures.
• Provide clinical resources. Sometimes people may require a second opinion, specific treatments or tests may only be available at an outside facility, or patients need to access reliable sources of information. You don’t want patients searching their symptoms on the internet, which may lead to unnecessary struggles. That’s why providing trustworthy clinical resources is such a crucial part of the job. 
• Act as a member of an interdisciplinary health team. Nurse Navigators are one link in a very intricate health delivery chain. Collaborating with doctors, other nurses, and social workers is a big part of their job description. 
• Address the administrative aspects of healthcare. This may include helping the patient with questions about finances, transportation, childcare, costs, and more. In some instances, you may need to be the liaison between patients and social workers. 
• Ensure diagnostic tests, appointments, and procedures are scheduled in a timely manner. 
• Ensure the accessibility of information. This includes but is not limited to translating medical documents (should there be a barrier language) and interpreting medical jargon in an easy-to-understand format.
• Educate families and caregivers on how best to provide care for the patient in a home environment.

How to Become a Nurse Navigator?

Next, we will take a look at the step-by-step process of becoming a Nurse Navigator. 

Step 1: Enroll in a nursing program

The first step in pursuing a career as a Navigator is the same as for every aspiring nurse: finding an accredited nursing program that fits your criteria: length, cost, personal ambition, etc., and enrolling in it. If you want to become a Nurse Navigator, the minimum education requirement is an ADN or BSN degree.

The first option is to enroll in an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. This degree takes around two years to complete. The second option is to go for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. While it does take four years longer to get this degree, it prepares you more extensively to be a better nurse. Plus, employers increasingly prefer to hire BSN-trained nurses to fill RN positions. You can complete Nightingale College’s BSN program in as few as 32 months, and you can count on it to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as an RN. 

Find out more reasons why getting a BSN degree may be the best call for your career. 

If you go the ADN route, you can advance your education and obtain your BSN degree through a fast-track RN-to-BSN program. Like the one offered by Nightingale College, many bridge programs are online and allow you to keep working through your studies.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN and gain RN licensure

Enrolling and completing an accredited nursing program is only step one in your journey towards a career in nursing navigation. To become a fully-fledged Registered Nurse, you first need to gain RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN. This comprehensive exam tests your knowledge and preparedness to be a practicing nurse. 

Step 3: Start working

The NCLEX-RN is the crown jewel of your nursing studies. Once you pass it and gain RN licensure, you can start looking for RN jobs in the specialty that interests you – Nurse (Patient) Navigation. Make sure your resume is up-to-date, prepare for nursing interviews, and, soon enough, you will be getting ready every morning for your dream job. 

Step 4: Consider certification

Getting certified is not a mandatory requirement for nurses but it certainly benefits them greatly.

As a certified RN, you gain increased recognition and respect from peers and supervisors, feel more empowered in your skills and knowledge, and gain more career advancement opportunities. 

Nurse Navigators who want to hold certification in this specialty can look into the following credentials: 

• Certified Oncology Navigator through the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) 
• Oncology specific certifications available through the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) 

Bear in mind that each certificate comes with its own requirements and eligibility criteria. Certification is only valid for three to five years, after which you need to renew it. 

What Qualities Should a Nurse Navigator Have?

Succeeding at a Nurse Navigator job requires more than extensive knowledge. Some qualities and skills will help you excel in this position:

Therapeutic Communication

Efficient nursing care builds its foundation on therapeutic communication, a vital skill for Navigator Nurses. The respectful and compassionate nature of therapeutic nursing communication encourages patients to open up about their physical, mental, and emotional needs and allows nurses to provide the best care possible. Plus, this position requires nurses to collaborate with many other healthcare team members. That’s why reliable and efficient communication is essential for providing quality nursing services to people who strongly rely on them. 

Open-mindedness

As a Navigator RN, you need to be ready to learn and accept people’s values and belief systems even – or especially – when they are different from your own. It is your responsibility to listen to your patient’s wishes, respect their lifestyle and culture, and still be a liaison between their needs and the medical requirements. Open discussion with patients, research, and open-mindedness will help you achieve just that. 

Empathy

Your job as a Nurse Navigator implies working with some of the most fragile populations. These people have been put face-to-face with a diagnosis that will turn their life upside down. So, you’ll need a great deal of compassion and empathy to help them navigate these life-altering health events. 

Organizational skills

Navigator Nurses need to be experts at multitasking, and top-notch organizational skills will come a long way. You will be required to juggle multiple tasks or cases at once. Each implies scheduling appointments, creating individualized care plans, recording data, and providing support and education. So, sharpening your organizational abilities will benefit you greatly. 

Critical thinking skills

In order to be a successful Nurse Navigator, you need to be able to explain even the most complex procedures clearly. You need to analyze large amounts of data and make evidence-based decisions that align best with your patient’s interests. Critical thinking skills will prove vital in accomplishing these goals. 

What Is the Salary of a Nurse Navigator?

The role of the Nurse Navigator is compensated well. According to ZipRecruiter data, the average salary of RN Navigators is around $72,409 per year. Most Nurse Navigators earn wages that fit into the $60,500 to $90,000 range. 

The fact that the pay range varies significantly suggests that Patient Navigator Nurses have many opportunities for advancement and increased pay at their disposal, based on factors like skill level, location, education and certifications, and years of experience. 

Are You Ready to Embrace the Nurse Navigator Role? 

Generally, Oncology Nurse Navigators and Nurse (Patient) Navigators have a highly sensitive and valuable role. They are caring for people whose lives have been irreversibly affected by cruel diagnoses, which takes skills such as knowledge, empathy, and dedication. At the same time, being an anchor for the most vulnerable patient populations in their time of crisis can be an enriching and fulfilling career path. 

If you know that this is the career path for you, it’s time to embark on the first phase of your journey. We’re here to help you take your nursing education to new heights. Enroll in Nightingale College’s BSN degree or advance your education with our RN-to-BSN online program. We’re here to help you become the best Nurse Navigator you can be. 

You have been working as a nurse for a few years. It’s a tremendously rewarding career, but you feel like it may be time for the next step. Perhaps you want to climb higher up on the career ladder. Or you want to transition out of working bedside. You are ready to put your leadership skills, extensive nursing knowledge, and considerable clinical expertise to a new test. 

If that’s the case, we have just the career path for you: Director of Nursing. This position is a critical administrative role in the healthcare ecosystem. Nursing Directors essentially lead the nursing department and set the overarching standards of care. It’s a demanding job requiring great responsibility. But it’s also a fruitful career path that comes with many benefits: personal, financial, and professional. 

Curious to learn more about this exciting job? Then stick around because this guide will discuss everything you need to know about Directors of Nursing: how to become one, what duties and responsibilities to expect, the salary prospects, and much more. 

What is a Director of Nursing?

A Director of Nursing, also known as Nurse Director or DON, is an Advanced Registered Nurse in charge of leading the administrative work of a nursing department or entire healthcare system. They are responsible for overseeing the nursing staff, ensuring efficient communication between different departments within the medical facility, and the overall smooth running of the organization. Additionally, Nursing Directors are an essential resource for others within the community.

Obtaining a position as a Director of Nursing requires years of clinical nursing experience, strong managerial skills, and advanced education. Excellent communication abilities, conflict resolution, compassionate leadership, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as high levels of professionalism and up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices, methods, and tools are all essential qualities for a Nurse Director. 

A DON needs to possess these skills because their role is expansive and multifaceted with duties ranging from interpreting and updating nursing policy to managing large budgets. Directors of Nursing typically work full-time Monday to Friday office positions. 

How to Become a Director of Nursing?

Becoming a Nurse Director is a lengthier and more demanding process, which will result in great job satisfaction. Because it is a fairly extensive process, we created this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the schooling and training requirements necessary to secure this position.

Step 1. Enroll in a nursing program

Your nursing journey starts with attending nursing school. You can either enroll in an ADN program or BSN program to obtain nursing licensure. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing takes around two years to complete. Getting your Bachelor’s Degree implies spending about four years in school. Nightingale College’s BSN degree can be completed in as few as 32 months and equips you with the knowledge and skill necessary to succeed as a Registered Nurse. 

Step 2. Pass the NCLEX-RN

Completing a nursing program culminates with you sitting for the NCLEX-RN exam. This comprehensive examination tests your nursing knowledge and skills and determines your preparedness to become a Registered Nurse. Only after you pass the NCLEX-RN do you obtain licensure as an RN. 

Step 3. Gain experience

Nursing Directors need to have a few years of clinical experience before pursuing a job in this administrative role. On-the-ground nursing is an essential part of the DON’s training because it allows them to gain perspective on nursing practice. That, in turn, makes them better professionals once they reach this leadership position. It’s also a great way to hone your skills and ensure that you are up to the task of directing others.

Step 4. Continue your education

Generally, Directors of Nursing need to have at least an MSN Degree under their belt in order to secure this leadership role. BSN nurses can directly enroll in an MSN program and get their Master’s Degree in Nursing within a two year time frame. 

If you are an ADN-trained nurse, the next step would be to obtain your BSN degree, from which you can further advance towards an MSN. The easiest way is to enroll in a bridge RN-to-BSN program, as it allows you to get your BSN credential faster without giving up your job. Nightingale College’s online RN-to-BSN program is designed with working professionals in mind. That means you don’t need to sacrifice your career to further your education: our online format permits you to do both simultaneously. There are also accelerated RN-to-MSN programs that allow you to complete your BSN and MSN at the same time. 

Step 4. Obtain your MSN Degree

Regardless of the educational path you take, you need to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Nursing to go after DON positions. The most common MSN programs for aspiring Directors of Nursing are in healthcare administration or nursing leadership. 

Step 5. Continue your education: Part Two – Certification

At this point in your nursing journey, you probably realize that nurses never really stop learning. Education is an ongoing process for RNs, and especially because you’re aiming for a top leadership position, you always need to be on top of the game. 

Here’s where certification comes in. Getting certified is generally a voluntary process for nurses, but many benefits recommend going through this additional step. Certification is an excellent way to boost your confidence as a nurse, secure your peers’ respect and recognition, and open yourself to a larger pool of exciting job opportunities. 

Created explicitly for Nurse Directors is the Director of Nursing Services Certification (DNS-CT), originally developed by the American Association of Directors of Nursing Services, now part of AAPACN (American Association of Post Acute Care Nurses).

Obtaining this credential needs to meet the following criteria: 

• You need to hold a current and unencumbered RN license
• You need the equivalent of two years of full-time long-term or post-acute care experience
• You need a minimum of one year of experience working as either DON or in another relevant nursing leadership position. 

Other certification options you can consider are:

• Nurse Executive Certification Examination offered by the ANCC 
• Nurse Manager and Leader and Executive Nursing Practice certifications provided by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). 

Step 6: Optional – Enroll in a Doctoral Nursing Program

Having a Doctoral Degree is not an obligatory requirement for aspiring Nursing Directors. However, this credential allows further career development and growth. DONs with a doctorate can pursue more active roles in shaping the healthcare system’s future. 

Step 7: Reap the benefits of your hard work

We’re not going to sugarcoat it: it’s a challenging path to get from nursing student to Director of Nursing. Now that you have successfully completed all the other steps, it is time to work on your Director of Nursing resume, sharpen your interviewing skills (our guide with potential nursing interview questions and answers can help you) and prepare to go after your dream job! Your dedication and hard work are all rewarded once you get this leadership role. You can wholeheartedly enjoy this next step in your nursing career and work responsibly and confidently to lead and supervise your facility’s nursing department. 

What Are the Duties of a Nursing Director?

The job description of a Director of Nursing reflects the extensive training that goes into obtaining this nursing position. While some of the duties and responsibilities of a DON may differ from one medical facility to another, the common day-to-day tasks of a Nursing Director include:

• Supervising and leading nursing staff
• Advising medical staff, department heads, and other members of the hospital’s administration in matters related to nursing practice
• Serving as the liaison between the nursing staff and the management of the institution
• Ensuring high levels of nursing care for patients
• Establishing new procedures and updating existing policies in line with the latest advancements in the nursing field 
• Providing training for nurses on new procedures and policies to ensure that the standard of care for patients is always high
• Overseeing recruiting, training, and onboarding of new nurses in the medical facility
• Evaluating staff performance and keeping accurate reports 
• Managing business plans and department budgets
• Determining and planning both short-term and long-term goals for the nursing department.

Where Do Directors of Nursing Work?

While hospitals remain the largest employer of DONs, essentially every facility with nursing staff will also hire a Nursing Director to oversee and lead the department. Directors of Nursing can also find jobs in long-term care facilities, private practices, outpatient care centers, insurance companies, healthcare corporations, or government agencies. 

What Is the Salary of a Nursing Director?

Nursing Directors receive competitive compensation. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically mention the salaries for Directors of Nursing, it does indicate that Medical and Health Services Managers earn a median salary of $101,340 per year. To be more specialty-specific, we also turned to ZipRecruiter. Data from this leading job platform puts the annual wage for Directors of Nursing at $88,078 annually. The size of the paycheck will depend on several factors. Geographic location, employer, education, certification, and years of experience can all play a role in how much DONs earn.  

What Is the Job Outlook for Directors of Nursing? 

The job outlook for Directors of Nursing is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for Registered Nurses will grow by 9% by 2030. As the need for nurses increases, so does the need for nursing professionals in management positions to oversee and lead them. The BLS reports that the employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32% by the end of the decade, a much higher rate than other occupations. This points to high job security for DONs, an additional advantage of this exciting career. 

Are You Ready to Start Your Journey Toward Nursing Leadership?

Being a Director of Nursing is an enriching career from which everyone benefits. You enjoy a challenging but fulfilling position. Nurses have a strong leader to rely on. Patients have access to quality care, and the healthcare system is improved by your professionalism, expertise, and knowledge. 

If that sounds like a role that piques your interest, start working toward it today! Enroll in Nightingale College’s BSN program or advance your education with our online RN-to-BSN program. Quality education is the foundation of a successful DON career, and we’re here to offer you just that!

Military nursing is one of the most fulfilling and challenging career paths a Registered Nurse could explore. There’s no doubt about it: working in the military can be stressful and even dangerous, but, in the end, it brings together two of the noblest actions any person could undertake: helping others and serving their country.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some subtleties of this career and, more importantly, what makes military nursing such a sought-after profession. In addition to that, we’ll discuss the steps to t a Military Nurse, the benefits, salary prospects, and much more. 

Let’s proceed. 

What Is a Military Nurse?

Regardless of whether you work in civilian or military nursing, the overarching goal of the practice is the same: providing high-quality nursing care to patients and promoting their wellbeing. Military RNs, however, accomplish this goal under very different circumstances. 

Military RNs serve in the major branches of the military because their services being needed and highly valued in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. As far as job descriptions go, their duties aren’t much different from those of a nurse caring for civilians – it’s just the work environment that’s really different. 

Working in the military can mean deployment to foreign war zones to accompany active troops on their missions. It may imply serving in makeshift facilities as combat units near the front lines. The workplace will be fast-paced and high-stress, and at times, you may have to work in life-threatening conditions. The travel requirements, patient population, and the working conditions can lead to physical and psychological demands. 

Clearly, military nursing is not a job for everyone. It takes a certain kind of personality to excel in this career. An aspiring Military Nurse ought to be professional, think fast on their feet, and keep their composure even under the most frightening situations. High-stress tolerance is another critical skill for RNs who consider military jobs. 

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Military Nurse?

Suppose the thought of joining the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force as a nurse has crossed your mind. In that case, you need to be familiar with all the requirements for becoming a nurse in the military. In this section, we will discuss how to become a Military Nurse. We’ll start with the schooling requisites and move on to the additional training needed to secure military nurse contract jobs. 

Step 1. Enroll in nursing program

While many civilian nursing jobs accept an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as a baseline educational requirement, but that is not the case when it comes to the military. In the military, nurses are commissioned officers. In order to be eligible for commission and become a nurse in the military, you need to hold at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an advanced practice nursing degree. Hence, the first step is to enroll in an accredited BSN program that will equip you with the extensive knowledge and skills necessary to excel at military jobs. If you want to advance your education further and become a Military Nurse Practitioner, you will have to pursue a Master’s Degree in Nursing. 

Nightingale College’s accredited BSN program will rise to the task and prepare you to join the military as a Registered Nurse in as little as 32 months. 

Step 2. Pass NCLEX-RN

After completing a nursing program, you need to earn certification as a Registered Nurse. You do that by passing the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), an extensive exam that will test your preparedness to become a fully-fledged RN. Once this last hurdle is out of the way, it’s time to celebrate now that you are a licensed nurse and one step closer to your dream job!

Step 3. Gain experience

With proper RN licensure under your belt, you can start working as a Registered Nurse. Many nurses decide to work and gain experience in the civilian nursing field before enlisting. However, you can also join the military as a new graduate, although the lack of on-the-ground nursing experience may add to the stress of the job.

Step 4. Undergo officer training

A military career involves a fourth, very-specific step that other nursing specialties don’t. After completing all the other schooling requirements, you also need to undergo officer training offered by the military branch where you plan to serve. Officer training acts much like a crash course on leadership skills and military life, preparing the aspiring Military Nurses for the lifestyle they are about to embrace. Also, as part of officer training, nurses have to pass a series of physical exercises and prove their proficiency in different fitness challenges. 

Do You Need Certifications for a Career in Military Nursing?

Other than holding a BSN degree and having an active and unencumbered RN license, there are generally no additional mandatory certifications for nurses who want to work in the military. Still, some credentials may be highly encouraged (or even required) for particular nursing specialties and positions. These are very specialty specific. Examples of potential certifications employers may ask for are: Acute Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Critical Care (CCRN). It is useful to remember that each military nursing job will come with its own set of requirements, so it’s essential to check what they are ahead of time. 

Where Do Military Nurses Work?

Generally, as a Registered Military Nurse, you are required to make a commitment that lasts at least three years. You will likely change locations and be stationed in a new region every three years. These locations can be either at home or abroad. Some work environments you can end up in are:

• Military hospitals
• Military clinics
• Global response centers during natural disasters
• Ships

The military recruits nurses with different specializations. Critical Care RNs are particularly in-demand for armed services recruitments because their expertise is needed to treat the severely wounded. But nurses also care for service members and their families and help them with non-combat illnesses, injuries, or conditions. Some other specializations for Military Nurses include Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Care, and Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing. Thus, the specialization may also play a part in the work environment you end up in.

What Is the Age Limit for Working as a Military Nurse?

Military Nurses who work in the uniformed services also need to consider their age as a factor in the employment process. The eligibility age will differ from one branch of the military to another. To work in the Navy Nurse Corps, one ought to be between 18 and 41. The Air force eligibility age is 18 to 47 while enlisting in the Army Nurse Corps is available for nurses aged between 21 and 42. 

What is the Salary of a Military Nurse?

For some nurses, the question How much does a Military Nurse make? may be the determining factor in pursuing this career path. 

Military Nurses are competitively compensated, with the pay rate increasing with the grade or rank that the nurse holds. On average, ZipRecruiter reports that Military Nurses earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. The job outlook for Military Registered Nurses is particularly excellent. They are in demand in all the branches of the military. Still, the Army remains the largest employer of Military Nurses. 

Competitive salaries aren’t the only benefit. Registered Nurses who are enlisted in the military have the opportunity to have their student loans repaid by the Government, which is a tremendous financial advantage. Other benefits include housing stipends, low-cost or free health insurance, hazard pay when working in combat zones, and retirement plans. Military nurses can retire after 20 years in service and are entitled to receive a pension.

What Do Military Nurses Do?

Military Nurses share many of the responsibilities of civilian nurses; only they perform all these responsibilities in a military environment. Generally, a Military Nurse’s duties are largely dependent on whether they serve during peacetime or wartime. In peacetime, nurses will care for the active-duty personnel, military retirees, and the family members of active military members. They may offer ambulatory, maternal/child, or rehabilitation nursing care. During combat, nurses will have to provide care near battlefronts and in conflict zones wherever they are stationed around the world. This often may include treating severe life-threatening injuries, like gunshots or lost limbs. Some of the specific duties of an RN working in the military include:

• Treating wounded soldiers and military personnel
• Monitoring the pain and comfort levels of injured patients
• Providing psychological and emotional support
• Setting up military triage in war zones
• Providing nursing care to victims affected by natural disasters
• Assisting in humanitarian efforts
• Providing vaccinations and/or care to children in developing countries

Are You Ready to Embark on a Military Nursing Career? 

Joining the military as a Registered Nurse is one of the noblest and most rewarding career paths for RNs. It is, by all means, a challenging profession that comes with a potentially dangerous work environment. But it also comes with the potential to travel and work around the world, significant financial benefits, such as high salaries and loan repayment options. Moreover, it offers you the opportunity to serve your country while following your calling: caring for people and making the world a better place, one patient at a time. 

Start your journey towards a Military nursing career by enrolling in Nightingale College’s BSN program. If you already have an ADN degree and want to fast-track your way to working in the military as a nurse, our online RN-to-BSN is the answer. 

Becoming a Military Nurse is a wonderful goal to have. We’re here to help you accomplish it. 

The allure of travel nursing isn’t too hard to pinpoint. You work when you want, where you want, and you make more money in the process. You fulfill your purpose by doing a job you love and caring for people. Plus, you get to experience new challenges, live new life experiences, and explore places that may have otherwise remained unknown to you. 

It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? 

While those statements are indeed true, there’s more to travel nursing than meets the eye. If you want to secure those highest paying travel nursing jobs, enjoy all the benefits and none of the headaches of an on-the-go career, you need to come in prepared. 

And that’s where we come in. We put together a comprehensive guide on travel nursing that includes everything you may need to know: a list of the highest-paid travel nursing specialties, advice on how to get them, things to consider when signing up for travel jobs, and much more. 

What is a Travel Nurse Job, and What Does It Involve?

Travel nursing jobs are short-term nursing assignments where nurses travel to a specific location to provide patient care. To put it simply, travel nurses fill the need for personnel in destinations with a shortage of qualified nursing staff. Generally, most travel nursing contracts last around 13 weeks. However, you can find assignments ranging from eight to 26 weeks. 

A travel nurse’s job description closely resembles that of a local RN. It would be nearly impossible to provide a comprehensive list of the responsibilities of a travel nurse, as these will be largely dependent on the employer, place of work, and specialty. Still, some of the most common duties you may expect to encounter on your assignment are:

• Conducting head-to-toe assessments to evaluate a patient’s condition
• Educating patients and caregivers
• Monitoring a patient’s condition and keeping accurate records of nursing actions and patient developments
• Administering medication as per doctors’ prescriptions
• Working as part of the healthcare team to create and implement treatment plans for patients.

Some of the most popular employers for travel nurses are hospitals, long-term care facilities, and surgery centers. Equally in need of travel RNs are specialty hospitals and clinics that provide care to a specific patient population.

Why Are Travel Nursing Jobs in Such High Demand?

The demand for travel nurses was always high, but the COVID-19 pandemic amplified it further. Let’s see some of the reasons that led to the increased popularity of nurse traveling. 

• The nationwide nursing shortage is real, and it’s harsh. Projections show that there will be a shortage of over half a million RNs by 2030.
• As Baby Boomers age, the need for healthcare services intensifies. According to the US Census Bureau, by 2030, there will be over 82 million people aged 65 and older. As the number of older people increases, there will also be an increased need for geriatric care. 
• “The Great Resignation” hit on the nursing industry. In the summer of 2021, the number of US workers who quit their jobs reached record highs. BLS data showed that over 4.3 million Americans quit, out of which over 530.000 were healthcare workers. In addition to that, a significant segment of the nursing workforce is nearing retirement age, which further deepens the nursing shortage and, subsequently, the need for travel nurses. 
• Geography is a harsh mistress, as well. The nursing shortage is felt nationwide. However, some regions feel it more. The most alarming effects are being felt in the South and West regions of the country. Also, rural communities feel the staffing gap even more than larger metropolitan areas. Nursing care is much needed in these areas, making travel nurses precious commodities. 

What Are the Benefits of Travel Nursing?

The demand for nurses is undoubtedly high, driving many people toward the profession. But what are some of the benefits that attract nurses to choose travel jobs as alternatives to permanent staff positions? We’re about to find out. 

Higher Pay

The promise of bigger paychecks is assuredly the main incentive for nurses to seek short-term employment as travel nurses. You will see in the following sections that traveling RNs indeed earn more, with some cashing in around $130,000 annually. 

Increased Flexibility

As Travel RNs, nurses choose where to work and when to work. This allows them to relocate even briefly closer to friends or relatives or experience new destinations. It also gives them a choice about how long they stay. Some assignments last a few weeks; others may span over a few months. Traveling nurses have the flexibility to fix these details according to their needs or preferences. 

Freedom to Schedule Breaks Between Assignments

Because the travel nurse has more control over the job opportunities, they also have more control over their breaks. So, they can schedule longer breaks in between assignments, allowing them to recharge and potentially avoid nursing burnout. 

More Opportunities for Career Growth

One significant advantage of travel nursing is exposure to a wide variety of new career experiences. Each travel assignment comes with its own challenges and lessons. As a result, nurses learn new skills, are exposed to new ways of working and gain new experiences. This makes them better professionals and more prepared to tackle any professional obstacle in the long run. 

Benefits that Extend Beyond the Paycheck

The perks of travel nursing don’t stop with a more sizable paycheck. You can also enjoy other benefits, such as getting free accommodation for the duration of your assignment, travel reimbursements, and tax advantages. 

Job Security

We’ve already mentioned the high demand for travel nurses. This leads to high job security and the promise of being able to find gainful employment.

Mission-Centered Jobs

For many nurses, nursing is more than just a job or a paycheck. It is a calling. When the need is more pressing, RNs won’t hesitate to go where they are needed most. Their selflessness may lead them to places where disaster struck, where their care is needed on the frontlines. The pandemic is another example of nurses pursuing their noble mission. More professionals than ever joined the ranks of traveling nurses and helped fight the disease in destinations away from their homes.

What Are the Challenges of Travel Nursing?

The benefits of travel nursing are many, and they are compelling. But we want you to be fully informed before getting into this career. This section will explore the other side of the coin: the challenges of traveling for work as an RN. 

You leave your family and social networks behind.

Even though it may be for a short period, from a few weeks to a few months, you are still leaving the familiar behind and diving headfirst into the unknown when relocating for a job. It may take some time to become familiarized with the new community, or you may experience home-sickness. 

The hospital orientation you receive may be minimal.

Often, temporary staff will have to learn and get used to things on the go. You were hired as a travel nurse because the hospital is severely understaffed, so don’t be too surprised if you only receive a brief orientation and are expected to pick things up quickly. Also, you need to learn to navigate a new organizational culture. You only have a limited amount of time to earn your peers, doctors, and other healthcare team members’ trust and develop a working relationship with them. Additionally, there may be new policies or procedures to comply with, new customized charting systems to learn in a short time (this can double down as an advantage in the longer run). Essentially, what it takes people months to learn and get used to, you need to do in days. And that can be a bit stressful. 

You will receive no paid vacation accrual.

As you don’t gain employee longevity within one institution, you don’t qualify for vacation accrual. 

Flexibility may be a double-edged sword.

As a travel nurse, your schedule may be designed to accommodate permanent staff. So, your flexibility needs to extend to accepting night shifts or weekend shifts. 

The overwhelming number of staffing agencies

Before signing up for traveling nursing jobs, you must do your research thoroughly and find the best options for you. However, there are hundreds of staffing agencies in the US, and sometimes choosing the best ones can prove complicated. In addition to your own research online, you can always ask your fellow nurses for recommendations. 

All in all, travel nurses need to quickly and efficiently adapt to challenging mobile work. That may be equal parts exciting and intimidating. It’s up to you to decide which wins in your case.

What Are the Highest Paying Travel Nursing Specialties in 2022?

We’ve covered the pros and cons of travel nursing. Now let’s explore the highest paying traveling nursing specialties*. Bear in mind that you need to have at least one year of experience working in your specialty for all travel nursing jobs. Employers take the previous experience as a sign that you had time to develop your skills and will excel on the assignment. 

ICU Travel Nurse

ICU Travel Nursing is one of the most lucrative and in-demand travel nurse specialties. ICU Nurses care for patients in the most critical condition – patients who are intubated, ventilated, on life-sustaining medication drips, or whose life hangs on by a thread. Working in the ICU demands a particular set of skills. You must be meticulously organized, respond quickly to emergencies, and handle unpredictable situations. 

You need at least one year of experience in an ICU ward or acute care setting before pursuing an assignment in the Intensive Care Unit. BLS and ACLS certifications are mandatory, while a Critical Care Certification (CCRN) will set you apart from the competition. The paycheck reflects the high demands of the job, travel ICU nursing being one of the highest-paid traveling nursing jobs. On average, ICU Travel RNs make $54 an hour, or around $112,228 per year, earning their spot as some of the highest-paid travel nurses. 

Dialysis Travel Nurse

Dialysis Travel Nurses provide life-saving care to patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Other than changing the location where they practice every few weeks, their duties remain the same. Dialysis RNs need to monitor and record a patient’s vital signs before, during, and after treatment, keep an eye out for adverse reactions, and ensure that dialysis and other treatments are administered correctly. To perform these duties with the utmost professionalism, you’ll need to display calm and compassion skills, problem-solving, analytical, and observational abilities. 

In terms of education, the minimum requirement is an ADN or BSN degree. Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification is required, alongside at least one year of experience in a professional setting. Seeking certification as a Certified Dialysis Nurse is not mandatory, but will only come to your advantage. Salary-wise, traveling Dialysis RNs earn around $96,272 annually, or the equivalent of $43 an hour. 

ER Travel Nurse

The demand for talented ER Travel nurses remains high in acute care facilities across the country. It’s a rewarding specialty, both personally and financially, that requires an organized, quick-on-their-feet personality who can make accurate and timely decisions before taking action. As an ER travel nurse, you are in the front line of the hospital, caring for various patients who come into the hospital’s emergency department. 

In addition to the minimum one year of experience as an ER Nurse that ensures you have a grip on the life in the ER, you may also be required to gain BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification. Certification requirements may vary from one institution to another. If you’re wondering how much ER travel nurses make, at around $106,709 annually, the answer won’t disappoint. 

Psychiatric Travel Nurse

A Psychiatric Nurse, also known as a Psych Nurse or a Mental Health Nurse, helps treat patients affected by mental health and psychiatric issues. Pursuing a travel career in this area doesn’t impact your duties and responsibilities. Your job description still includes aiding in evaluating patients undergoing psychological evaluations, conducting tests, administering medications, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best treatment paths for clients suffering from psychological problems. 

As for the salary of a Psych travel RN, it revolves around $98,924 per year. 

NICU Travel Nurse

One of the best-paying travel nursing jobs on the market is that of a NICU Travel Nurse. Working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU Registered Nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns who need immediate medical attention as soon as they are born. It’s a very sensitive job requiring quick thinking, quick reactions, keen observations, and significant amounts of comfort and compassion for the families. 

The wages NICU Nurses can expect to get on traveling assignments oscillate around $105,500 yearly, some of the highest salaries in the travel nurse industry. The hourly rate is $51. 

Med-Surg Travel Nurse

Medical-Surgical Nurses, or Med Surg Nurses, work with adult patients injured or in recovery from medical procedures. These nurses may be working in a specialty, but unless there is special monitoring or technology that requires specific training or certification, they are considered Med-Surg. Thus, this specialty makes up the foundation of nursing, being one of the most sought-after jobs in the RN travel industry. Med-Surg nurses are employed in a variety of settings: hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, general hospital floors like neuro, trauma, general surgery, oncology, cardiac, and many other areas of care. High-level critical-thinking skills, vast clinical knowledge, and calmness under pressure are imperative for med-Surg nurses. 

For their invaluable efforts in patient care, Med-Surg RNs receive fairly high wages: over $90,350 a year. 

Pediatric Travel Nurse

Pediatric Travel RNs provide nursing care to children, adolescents, and teens. Because they work with such a sensitive population, their duties will often go beyond simply monitoring vitals, administering medications, or performing developmental screenings. Pediatric Nurses may have to alleviate fears and use therapeutic communication techniques to convince a child to get a shot or medication. They may have to educate young people and their families on treatment options after a clinical diagnosis. It’s a job that covers a broad range of clinical skills and interpersonal abilities.  

And Pediatric Travel Nurses are remunerated well for it. In this specialty, you make around $98,343 per year. 

Postpartum Travel Nurse

Caring for mother and baby immediately after the labor and delivery process is one of the most rewarding nursing jobs, and Postpartum Nurses do just that. Post-delivery, they provide essential care to the newborn and the infant’s mother. This may include giving medications, monitoring the vital signs of both mother and infant, and educating the family on proper newborn care. 

Postpartum Travel Nurses are needed throughout the nation. And if you’re curious what kind of postpartum RN salary you can expect to earn, we have the answer. This is one of the highest-paid travel nurse specialties, with wages in the vicinity of $98,500. 

PACU Travel Nurse

Post Anesthesia Care Units across the US are another big employer of travel nurses. PACU RNs are indispensable to postoperative care as they provide core nursing care to patients after surgery. Nurses working in this role need to possess critical care skills to assess incision sites, monitor vitals, and track other indicators of post-op stability or complications. This specialty is also one of the highest paying travel nursing jobs, with salaries that often go above $124,195. 

OR Travel Nurse

Traveling OR Registered Nurses can expect very lucrative assignments in numerous medical facilities. They perform the same duties as permanent OR nurses. The main goal of the specialty is to coordinate patient care in the operating room. On a day-to-day basis, Travel OR Nurses manage care before, during, and after medical procedures, monitor the equipment during surgical interventions, and assist surgeons with sterilizing supplies, equipment, and instruments, ensuring that operations happen in the safest manner possible. 

Through their travel assignments, OR travel Nurses can cash in $55 an hour, or about $113,610 per year, one of the highest wages for traveling RNs.  

Labor and Delivery Travel Nurse

If you want to land a high-paying travel nursing job, look no further than the Labor and Delivery specialty. L&D Nurses are a valuable resource that many hospitals need and are willing to pay for. Labor and Delivery travel nurses are an integral part of the delivery process, ensuring that mothers, newborns, and their extended families receive quality, essential care during every step of the birthing process. 

To secure a position in this area, you need to have graduated from an accredited nursing program and have at least one year of professional experience in the Labor and Delivery Department. Some institutions may require extra certifications, like BLS, ACLS, and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). 

As for wages, Labor and Delivery Travel Nurses are on the higher end of the earning specter. They make about $111,149 yearly.

PICU Travel Nurse

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit requires a highly specialized area of expertise, astute assessment skills, excellent critical thinking, and vast clinical knowledge. PICU Travel nurses are some of the better-paid travel RNs, with salaries that exceed $108,440 a year. Their duties alternate between monitoring children and teen patients, providing appropriate care and educating patients and families about procedures and treatment plans. 

Oncology Travel Nurse

Oncology Travel Nurses care for patients undergoing cancer treatments or those who are in remission. They ought to be well-versed in diverse cancer treatment methods and need to possess a strong understanding of patient treatment plans, procedures, and side effects. The sensitive nature of this specialty requires Oncology RNs to display high levels of compassion and excellent communication abilities to help patients and families alike cope with the diagnosis. 

The requirements for Oncology nursing travel positions are similar to all other traveling nursing jobs: unencumbered nursing license and at least one-year prior experience in the oncology department. Additionally, certification from the Oncology Nursing Society may be required for certain travel nurse positions. 

In the travel department, Oncology nursing is one of the high-paid specialties, with salaries of about $100,800. 

Telemetry Travel Nurse

Telemetry nursing jobs use high-tech equipment to monitor a patient’s condition, response to treatment, and overall progress. Travel RNs interested in this profession are in for a top-notch career: high demand and above-average wages – $102,320 yearly. Common conditions that ask for Travel Telemetry RN interventions include cardiac surgery, renal failure, COPD, sleep disorders, neurological problems, epilepsy, and cancer. 

Hospice Travel Nurse

Hospice Travel Nurses come in when there is no possible treatment for a severe illness. Essentially, they provide end-of-life care to their patients. Hospice RNs’ care and compassion help with managing pain and symptoms. They offer support to patients and families in critical moments and help patients through the process of death in the most dignified manner. It’s a compassionate nursing role that is compensated reasonably well: $86,277 annually. 

Cath Lab Travel Nurse

Cath Lab RNs are among the most requested and well-compensated traveling nursing specialties. This job is an integral part of the cardiac care unit, the ICU, or the cardiac catheterization lab. Registered nurses who have embraced this specialty assist physician during cardiac catheterizations and monitor the patient’s cardiac rhythm and vital signs. Travel assignments for Cath Lab Nurses offer exceptional pay and comprehensive benefits. Annual salaries can be as high as $110,540.

LPN Travel Nurse

One common denominator for all travel nursing jobs mentioned so far was that the job candidate must be a fully licensed Registered Nurse. 

How about Licensed Practical Nurses? Can LPNs engage in travel assignments, and can they secure high-paying travel nursing jobs? Yes. However, remember that you require at least one or two years of on-the-ground professional experience before you can be considered for an LPN travel job. LPNs who want to become travel nurses, expand their horizons, and further their careers can expect salaries higher than permanent staff LPNs – around $74,893 a year. 

The world of travel nursing doesn’t stop with the specialties that we’ve already discussed. There are numerous other options available to nurses who want to try new professional experiences in new locations. Some other worthy mentions are: 

• Vaccination travel nurse
• Nurse case manager
• Travel Nurse Educator
• Triage Travel Nurse
• Preop Travel Nurse
• Home Health Travel Nurse 
• Traveling Trauma Nurse
• Cardiovascular Operating Room Travel Nurse (CVOR) 

What Types of High-Paying Travel Nursing Assignments Are Available?

Strike Nursing Contracts

Often, a prominent supplier of travel nursing jobs strikes. When a strike creates, there usually just aren’t enough qualified nurses to cover an institution’s staffing needs. Still, the patients require constant care and monitoring, so hospitals must resort to temporary staff to meet the needs of their clients. The pay rates for strike nurses are different based on state, region, medical facility, or nursing specialty. Usually, they are 50% to 100% higher than the pay rates for permanent staff. These types of travel assignments are typically rushed, so RNs should be ready to embark on the journey at a moment’s notice. 

Crisis Rate Nursing Assignments

Crisis rate jobs are among some of the highest paying travel nursing positions. Sometimes, they are also called rapid response jobs. The underlying idea is that hospitals have a heightened need for travel nurses, so they are willing to pay a higher than average bill rate. These types of assignments were prevailing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Generally, the highest paying travel crisis nursing jobs have an almost instantaneous start date. It’s not unheard of for RNs to be needed on-site within 48 hours. The reduced flexibility in terms of start date and lack of preparation time may be inconvenient, hence the premium paycheck. 

Things to Consider Before Signing Up for a Traveling Nurse Job 

High-paying travel nursing jobs are an excellent incentive for nurses to get out of their comfort zone and take their careers to new heights. Here’s some advice to help you land – and profit to the max – from these opportunities. 

• Always keep your nursing resume updated – You never know when your dream travel job may get posted. You don’t want to miss it because you waste time completing your resume. Having a current resume in both electronic and paper form is a good idea.
• Make sure your license and certifications are valid and in good standing. Do you have a multistate license, or do you need to obtain a nursing license for the desired location? Check out our guide on compact state and multistate license agreements to help you navigate this question.  
• There are so many recruiters and staffing agencies out there. They all offer different services, rates, and benefits. Do comprehensive research and ask for referrals to choose the best ones. 
• Always read the contracts carefully before you sign. Pay attention to the compensation packages – is housing included, or do the employers offer a stipend? Do they offer relocation assistance? Will it cover your relocation costs? Do they pay you even if your shift is canceled?
• Be prepared to work in demanding and stressful conditions. 
• Enjoy, appreciate and learn from the opportunities. You’ve worked hard. You deserve it. 

Ready to Get Your Travel Career Started?

The world of travel nursing opens a whole new world of possibilities for passionate and daring RNs. Perhaps you want to grow your nursing career. Maybe you want to explore the country. You can be in it for the money, because you want a change, or because you feel that your help is needed elsewhere. Whatever drives you, travel nursing can help you achieve it. It won’t be easy. The shifts may be high stress, and the challenges won’t stop coming. But it’s all worth it. 

Take the first steps towards a career in travel nursing by putting the accent on your education. And that means choosing Nightingale College. Our programs are designed to help you become the best Registered Nurse you can be. 

Enroll in our BSN Program or advance your education with Nightingale College’s online RN-to-BSN Program. Your exciting travel nursing journey starts here!

* Salary data was gathered using ZipRecruiter as of March 2022.