Once all the hard work is said and done and the determined student reaches the elusive goal of becoming a Registered Nurse, it’s time to search for the position and setting that best suits them. Students generally equate the idea of becoming a nurse with working in a fast-paced hospital setting, which is frequently the case. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that 61% of Registered Nurses are currently employed by hospitals.
While the majority of nurses do work at hospitals, there is a huge population that does not. For students and newly minted registered nurses, knowing about the different opportunities that are available to them can aid in planning out a fruitful career.
Florida National University (FNU) points out a set of interesting locations for nursing students or recent graduates to take into consideration as an alternative to the traditional hospital setting:
- Schools
Although most are not surprised to think of nurses working in a school, others may have entirely forgotten about the school nurse from their childhood. Some schools may have a nurse handy to administer basic and emergency care as well as keep track of health risks in children with diabetes and other such maladies that require extra care. This role is extremely rewarding—there is high praise for those who help and care for the wellbeing of children.
Apart from the direct aid school nurses administer, there is also the opportunity to educate the staff and children they treat. Depending on the age range of the school a nurse is assigned to, they might be the first real source of medical knowledge that children may encounter.
Having the ability to influence children into taking the proper precautions and understanding the proper methods of taking care of minor injuries is a rewarding experience like no other which can stick with them for the rest of their lives.
- Correctional Facilities
America has one of the largest growing prison populations in the world. This makes the need for qualified healthcare professionals critical. While in theory nurses and other medical staff will be working in a similar environment to a hospital, there are some moral complications that they must be equipped to deal with.
Working in a correctional facility means that nurses will need to be aware and unbiased about having to administer potentially lifesaving care to convicted criminals who may be dangerous. Beyond those moral dilemmas and considerations working in a correctional facility is interesting and enables nurses to encounter a wide range of medical problems.
- Cruise Ships
Does the sound of traveling aboard a cruise ship through miles of beautiful open ocean sound like the perfect setting to work in? It sounds like a dream job—and it very well may be—but registered nurses play a big role in keeping passengers safe on cruise ships. This can typically range from administering basic care for minor injuries like scrapes and bruises to more serious health complications such as dehydration and heart attacks.
Due to the space, resources onboard a ship are limited, meaning working as a nurse on a cruise ship has its fair share of challenges. However, these challenges are easily outweighed by the opportunity to travel while getting paid.
- Camps
When dealing with most organized outdoor activities, there is typically a trained medical professional on hand to deal with any unfortunate emergencies that may occur. Summer camps are no different and have a dedicated group of medical professionals on staff to ensure the safety of the children and adults employed there.
Working as a registered nurse at a camp offers the unique experience of working in a peaceful outdoor setting that is enjoyable as long as there are no emergencies to take care of. The job can also be rewarding in the same way that working as a school nurse is, as you’ll be working closely with children and their parents to meet specific medical needs and educate.
- Helicopters and Airplanes
In times of emergency, many hospitals will utilize helicopters to quickly reach those in need of immediate care. On those helicopters, there is a specialized but limited staff of medical professionals ready to do everything they can in order to save a life. The job can be stressful, but rewarding to properly trained nurses. These are the ones who are the first to administer life-saving care to the critical patients being airlifted to the hospital.
Another closely related place to find a registered nurse is on an airplane. While nurses are not a regular part of airline flights, there are cases where a passenger will require special medical treatments throughout the flight. In the event of this, airlines bring on a dedicated team to take care of that passenger’s medical needs.
FNU: Bringing it All Together
Many never imagine that there is a world outside of the traditional hospital setting that offers unique experiences to aspiring nurses.
FNU is there not only to provide you with a quality education, but to bring all that information right to you and keep you aware of the options that are ahead of you.
Whether you’re a prospective student looking to enter the nursing field or seeking out something altogether different, FNU has a place for you. Browse through our complete program catalog and apply now to get started!
Works Cited
“Registered Nurses Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
“Nursing Jobs You Didn’t Know Existed | Nursing Schools.net.”NursingSchools.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
