12 Different Types of Nurses and What They Do (2024)

5. Emergency room nurse

Emergency room nurses nurses provide urgent care to patients in hospitals suffering from sometimes life-threatening injuries or illnesses. ER nurses often work alongside emergency medical staff and first responders, so they must have strong communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills to coordinate care and share information across these teams.

As an ER nurse, you can work in a variety of settings, from Level 1 trauma centers to rural hospitals or clinics, and across a range of nursing specialties, from trauma to pediatrics. ER nurses are registered nurses and must obtain at least an ASN.

Many ER nurses have a BSN and can go on to obtain additional certifications for specialized care, such asadvanced cardiac, pediatric, and newborn life support.

EducationASN (required) or BSN (recommended)
CertificationsRN; some hospitals might also require Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification
More readingHow to Become an ER Nurse;Working as an Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
12 Different Types of Nurses and What They Do (2024)

FAQs

What are different types of nurses? ›

16 Types of Nurses
  • School Nurse. A school nurse provides care to students within a school or district. ...
  • Public Health Nurse. ...
  • Registered Nurse. ...
  • Home Care Nurse. ...
  • Nursing Directors. ...
  • Nurse Educator. ...
  • Intensive Care Nurse. ...
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
Apr 17, 2024

What is the lowest paying nursing specialty? ›

Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are some of the lowest-paid nursing roles, but that is due to the fact that the educational requirements are less than most other types of nurses.

What type of nurses are most in demand? ›

Nursing Jobs and Specialties in Demand
  • Behavioral and Mental Health Nursing.
  • Skilled Nursing.
  • Long-Term Care Nursing.
  • Correctional Health Nursing.
  • Nurse Midwives.
  • Travel Nursing.
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing.
Dec 28, 2023

Why do nurses work 12? ›

A 12-hour nursing shift runs more efficiently when you and your peers develop a consistent, uninterrupted rhythm. Fewer overall hours. When you work three 12-hour shifts, you only put in thirty-six hours a week instead of the traditional forty hours.

What is the hardest RN job? ›

Most stressful nursing specialties
  • Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment. ...
  • Emergency room nurses. ER nurses face stress levels that are similar to what first responders experience. ...
  • Neonatal ICU nurses. ...
  • Operating room nurses. ...
  • Oncology nurses. ...
  • Psychiatric nurses.
Dec 1, 2023

What are 10 things nurses do? ›

Duties
  • Assess patients' conditions.
  • Record patients' medical histories and symptoms.
  • Observe patients and record the observations.
  • Administer patients' medicines and treatments.
  • Set up plans for patients' care or contribute information to existing plans.
  • Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

What is the easiest RN job? ›

8 Easiest Nursing Jobs
  • School Nurse. Average Annual Salary (April 2024): $51,500. ...
  • Nurse Educator. Average Annual Salary (April 2024): $84,000. ...
  • Primary Care Nurse. ...
  • Informatics Nurse. ...
  • Clinical Research Nurse. ...
  • Occupational Health Nurse. ...
  • Lactation Consultant Nurse. ...
  • Home Care Registered Nurse.

What nursing specialty has a shortage? ›

Nurses specializing in geriatric medicine are in short supply already, and as the older population increases, the shortage will grow due to increased demand unless openings are filled. Nurse educators are also in short supply. This particular specialty affects all aspects of nursing.

Which type of nursing is best for females? ›

Obstetrics/Gynecology Nurse

Obstetrics/gynecology RNs have one of the broadest types of nursing careers in women's health to ensure good reproductive functioning in females from puberty through menopause.

Which nursing degree is best? ›

Employers commonly seek nurses with BSNs. This level of nursing degree is linked to better patient outcomes and prepares students for comprehensive nursing roles. Full-time programs take four years to complete, while part-time enrollment can extend the duration of the program for a period defined by the program.

What age do nurses stop working? ›

Let's consider the facts: Many nurses are still working at the bedside in their 70s and a few even in their 80s. Granted, every nurse is different and age alone is not an indictor of ability.

Do nurses live longer or shorter? ›

In general, researchers have found that nurses are 39% more likely to live longer than the general population.

Why do nurses only work 3 days a week? ›

You get an extended mental break from a demanding, unpredictable job – making your performance better when you return. Flexibility: In some facilities, nurses can choose which shift they would like to work. You can also lump your shifts together for longer stretches of off time.

What is the highest paid nurse? ›

The highest paid nurse is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Professionals in this field earn as low as USD 101,000 and as high as USD 174,000, with an average salary of USD 124,00.

What are the 4 fields of nursing? ›

There are four fields of nursing: adult nursing • children's nursing • learning disabilities nursing • mental health nursing.

Is there a difference between an RN and a nurse? ›

An RN—or registered nurse—is the term for the certification that nurses need to practice nursing. Note that this credential is a license, not a degree. Each state has different education and qualification requirements, but universally, nurses must have a nursing diploma, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree.

What is the lowest ranked nurse? ›

Certified nursing assistants are the first level in the hierarchy of nursing. The role involves helping patients with the type of tasks associated with daily life, including eating, dressing and bathing.

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