Understanding the Industry: Which Nursing Career is Right for You?
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
When it comes to jobs in nursing, there is no shortage, and demand is only growing, with projections showing that America will need upwards of 275,000 new nurses by 2030.
But what roles will these new nurses take on? Well, qualified nurses have tonnes of choice; they could work in hospitals, care homes, outpatient clinics, schools, mobile clinics, and anywhere else in between. But the workplace is only one factor; nurses can specialise in acute care, pediatrics, critical care, midwifery, radiology, and more.
The Diversity of Nursing Roles
It’s hard to find two nurses whose days look the same, because the field is so broad and flexible; in fact, there are more jobs for registered nurses than any other profession. One nurse might spend their shift responding to emergencies in a busy ED, while another supports new mothers in a maternity ward, and yet another might conduct health checks in remote communities.
Some nurses work closely with children, others with the elderly, and the rest with everybody in between. This variety lets you find a path that suits your personality, values, and lifestyle. Whether you’re after fast-paced challenges or long-term patient relationships, there’s a nursing role out there that fits just right - all it takes is a little searching.
Entry Level Vs Advanced Positions
Whether you are a practising nurse or looking to become one, it's important to understand what roles are available and what kind of qualifications they require.
When you are looking at the basic qualifications, it can be a bit of a headache to understand the difference between an LPN vs RN vs FNP program:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
An LPN program is typically 12 to 18 months long and equips students with the skills needed to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of RN’s or doctors. It’s a great choice if you are looking to get into the workforce quickly and want to work in settings like a care home or home health, where critical care is less necessary.
Registered Nurse (RN)
A registered nurse will have either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), which takes about 2 or 4 years, respectively. RN’s can provide a broad range of direct care to patients in hospitals and other settings, coordinating care with doctors and other allied health professionals.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Family Nurse Practitioners are specialists with advanced training, like a master's in nursing, who work with patients of all ages in a similar way that a family doctor would, and often alongside a family doctor. You would first need to be a registered nurse and gain some experience/hours before pursuing specialties like this.
Real-World Experience: Why Clinical Placements Matter
Education is incredibly important, and getting the right qualifications matters, but learning through experience is one of the best ways to truly know what you like…And dislike. Luckily, nursing courses have a large practical component, often starting very early on in training.
Making sure you get a good range of placements in different settings is a great way to experience the kind of jobs you could be doing without committing to more time in the classroom. Be sure to ask your supervisors plenty of questions to get a real picture of their daily routine, because it could be yours one day.
Growth Areas and Demand
The aforementioned jobs and their requirements are just a few examples of the roles available and the broad range of timeframes required to become qualified in them. Many choose to start with a BSN or ADN and work as registered nurses for a few years before pursuing a specialty that resonates with them. This gives you space to find out what you really enjoy in nursing without being set on a specific path.
Aside from enabling growth in a direction that interests you, the choice of roles can make it easier to follow demand. In America, some of the highest-paying nursing specialties are: neonatal, clinical dialysis, anesthetist, and psychiatric nurses, with plenty more earning over 100k.
Matching personality with Passion
Money isn’t everything, and most people choose nursing because they genuinely care about helping others, but that doesn’t mean every nursing role will suit every nurse. Some people thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments like emergency departments, while others prefer calmer settings with ongoing patient relationships, like palliative care or community nursing.
If you’re naturally empathetic, organised, or calm under pressure, there’s a role that aligns with your strengths. Reflecting on what kind of people, challenges, and environments energise you can help you build a career that’s not only successful, but deeply rewarding on a personal level.
Work-Life Balance and Lifestyle Factors
Life is more than work; we all need time to relax, do activities with family, travel, and pursue hobbies, but some nursing specialties have more room for personal life than others. Fast-paced registered nurse jobs like critical care or psychiatric nursing can be incredibly rewarding, but many of these roles will demand late nights, long shifts, and weekend on-call.
Not what you’re after? That's fine, there are plenty of jobs in outpatient settings or palliative care that have more flexible hours, with part-time options; however, there is no set rule (other than the legal limits) on work hours; it’s something you will have to discuss and negotiate with future employers.
The good news? High demand for nurses gives you plenty of room to negotiate and move jobs to find something that works for your lifestyle, not your employers.
Choosing the Right Path for You
At the end of the day, no two nurses will follow the same path, and that’s one of the most exciting things about nursing. You might start working in one area or start studying with an idea of what you want to do, and discover that you actually have a passion for something different. Through placements, experience, and meeting people, you will be exposed to a broad range of jobs, each with its own perks and quirks.
If your goals change over time, whether you need more flexibility to raise a family, want to travel, or just work part-time, there are always options out there, and demand is only projected to grow. The truth is our population is ageing, and it’s no exaggeration to say that nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system.
