The field of nursing includes many different types of jobs in hospitals, doctors’ offices, healthcare clinics, rehabilitation centers and other healthcare settings. Florida National University (FNU) offers multiple nursing programs at different levels. Listed below are a few of the different types of nursing jobs within this field.
1. Addiction Nurse
Sometimes called substance abuse nurses, these nurses provide care for patients who are addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs or other substances. A nurse who specializes in addiction must typically be a registered nurse (RN). In addition to a nursing degree, substance abuse nurses get special training in behavioral health.
2. Cardiovascular Nurse
Working in a hospital setting, cardiovascular nurses may work with patients before, during and shortly after they have heart surgery. This nursing job may also include working with patients who have heart disease and related conditions in rehabilitation facilities and in-home care. Cardiovascular, or cardiac, nurses may be an RN with a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree.
3. Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical nurse specialists have advanced nursing degrees at either the master’s or doctoral levels. They work as primary care providers and may also be involved in the administration and management of a clinic, hospital department or other healthcare setting. They typically supervise other nurses. A clinical nurse specialist may have an area of specialization such as gynecology, gerontology, oncology or public health.
4. Critical Care Nurse
This nursing position requires RNs to work in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital. Patients in the ICU have serious, life-threatening and complicated illnesses, so these nurses might find themselves in intense, challenging situations on a regular basis. Careful attention to detail is needed for this nurse specialization, as it requires close monitoring of patients and highly skilled treatment.
5. Genetics Nurse
Genetics nurses work with patients who have (or potentially have) genetically determined conditions that include Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Down syndrome, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. These nurses may work in clinics that specialize in reproductive technology and work with couples and individuals who are trying to conceive or expecting a child. Genetics nurses may be involved in research or may counsel individuals about their health considerations and options related to genetic conditions.
6. Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses are critical in the healthcare system, providing the most basic patient care by monitoring vital signs, changing wound dressings, helping patients with dressing and other tasks, and communicating patient needs and symptoms to the rest of the medical team. Some programs allow someone who’s completed an LPN or LVN program and has experience in the field to apply that experience toward earning an associate degree as an RN.
7. Neonatal Nurse
Working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a hospital, neonatal nurses care for infants from shortly after they’re born up to the age of two years. Neonatal nurses may attend births and typically monitor and treat their patients, weigh the infants and educate caregivers on the care and feeding of newborn infants.
8. Nephrology Nurse
Also known as dialysis nurses, these nurses work with patients with end-stage renal disease who use dialysis to clean toxins from their blood. Nephrology nurses educate patients on the dialysis procedure, assess patients before and after treatment and make sure the dialysis treatment is successful and safe.
9. Nurse Midwife
A nurse midwife acts as the primary care provider to patients going through pregnancy and childbirth. Nurse midwives must earn at least a master’s degree and typically have completed at least a year of clinical practice.
10. Public Health Nurse
These nurses typically have at least a bachelor’s degree but may be required to have a master’s degree. Public health nurses’ study public health issues, design campaigns to lessen the impact of health issues on the community and work with other healthcare professionals to implement their suggested changes.
Florida National University Nursing Program
For those looking for a nursing program, Florida National University, located in Hialeah and Miami, offers the following nursing programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Associate of Science in Nursing
Students can take an online and on-campus nursing program at the bachelor and master’s levels. Learn more about the different types of nursing jobs and how to apply to Florida National University’s nursing programs. Contact FNU today at 305-821-3333 for more information or visit our programs page.
