5 Nursing Pathways You Might Not Have Considered

The choice to undertake nursing as a career is an incredibly selfless act, and while you may want to pursue this avenue, you might find that traditional nursing employment just isn’t for you. Rest assured, there are plenty of options for nurses. If you’re a student wondering where nurses work, or just trying to figure out your options, this list might help you narrow down your career choices.

Travel Nurse

Travel nurses are registered nurses who take on temporary employment in diverse healthcare facilities across many different locations, with time periods changing from a few weeks to a few months. Their role is mainly filling in gaps for hospitals, clinics or nursing homes facing short-term staffing needs due to factors like seasonal demands, financial cuts, or natural disaster crises that demand healthcare professionals in a quick period of time.

If you’re someone who likes to travel, and wants nursing employment that never becomes repetitive, this avenue may be for you. A travel nurse’s day-to-day duties are very similar to those of a ‘traditional’ nurse. But in addition, travel nurses must adapt quickly to unfamiliar environments, policies and patient populations with each new workplace they join. They often work through agencies that coordinate placements, housing and travel logistics.

This role encourages flexibility and diverse clinical experiences, making it attractive to those who enjoy constant change and adventure. Travel nurses play a critical role in ensuring that underserved or high-demand areas get the quality healthcare they deserve.

Forensic Nurse

If you are someone who is both interested in nursing and participating in the justice system—this type of nursing may interest you. Forensic nurses specialize in caring for patients who have experienced trauma, violence or abuse. Their primary role involves treating injuries while preserving evidence that may be crucial in criminal cases. They work in various settings, including hospitals, sexual assault response centers, correctional facilities and crime scenes.

Forensic nurses document injuries, collect physical evidence and provide crisis intervention for victims of violent crimes. They perform forensic exams, such as sexual assault examinations, to gather DNA samples and other critical evidence that may be of help in criminal cases. They can  be called to testify in court as expert witnesses, explaining their medical findings to the court that could possibly be integral to criminal investigations.

With specialized training in forensic science and trauma informed care, forensic nurses are able to support victims with compassion while maintaining meticulous evidence handling practices; this type of nursing is a challenging but vital field that combines patient advocacy with a commitment to justice and public safety.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are experienced nurses who train and mentor future nurses, typically working in academic settings like schools, colleges and universities, or even in clinical education roles within healthcare facilities. They design, implement, and assess educational programs that prepare nursing students. For those with a lot of experience within the nursing and healthcare systems who want to change things up, a great way to impart your wisdom is through becoming a nurse educator.

Sometimes nurse educators get involved in research, publishing educational work and sometimes demonstrative practices. They play an important role in shaping competent, compassionate future nurses and are integral to addressing the healthcare system’s growing need for skilled professionals.

Operating Room Nurse

Operating room nurses (also known as perioperative nurses), are specialized nurses who assist in surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety, and supporting the surgical team when they need general assistance or when an unforeseen event occurs. They work in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and clinics, being a part of all the phases of surgery: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative.

Operating room nurses prepare patients by reviewing their medical histories, addressing possible concerns, and ensuring it is safe to administer anesthesia. During surgery they mainly maintain a sterile environment, assist the surgeon by handing them the surgical equipment, monitor patient vitals, and ensure everything runs smoothly. They also maintain the ongoing care after the surgery is complete, making sure the patient’s recovery is going as expected. Operating room nurses need strong attention to detail, quick decision making skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure to play this essential part in achieving a successful surgery.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner’s (FNP’s) are advanced nurses who provide primary health care across the lifespan, from infancy to the senior years. Working in clinics, private practice and community health centers, FNP’s are qualified to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications and develop long-term health plans. They help with patient education, helping people and families make informed decisions about diet, exercise and general lifestyle to maintain and improve health. If you want to build long-term relationships with patients and families, and work closely with them, becoming a FNP is a great way to achieve it.

Because FNPs need to provide care across various age groups, they develop an extremely broad clinical knowledge and are equipped with versatile skills, making them able to aid with common conditions and manage chronic illnesses. Their holistic, patient-centered approach is vital in improving health outcomes and providing accessible, consistent care in diverse healthcare settings.

Whether you’re a prospective student considering a career in nursing, or a seasoned nurse looking for a change, there are many options in the nursing field that can keep your career interesting, and encourage continuous growth.