Nursing is a very eclectic and dynamic occupation that provides access to many routes in a single career. Whether in the early steps of your education or continuing within the profession through advancing your care, knowing these various types of positions in nursing is very important: direct patient caregiver, administrative levels, and almost everything in between.
In this blog, we will discuss various nursing positions, explore categories of nursing personnel in hospitals, and highlight the highest nursing position you can achieve. Let’s dive into the world of nursing careers with Nursing Shala.
Categories of Hospital Nursing Personnel
Nursing personnel are a variety of health workers who graduate with different qualifications, training, or levels of competencies. However, the nursing categories include:
Registered Nurse (RN):
- Function: Attend to patients’ care, give and distribute medication, or carry out anything with the clinical teams.
- Education: The BSN education and an associate’s degree program for ADN.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):
- Function: Supports RN. Records patients’ vital signs, performing minor care treatment
- Education: Diploma or any certificate program.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA):
- Role: Provide patient care for bathing, feeding, and helping mobility needs.
- Training: Diploma in short term course.
Nurse Practitioner:
- Role: Advanced practice nurses working for determining illness, prescribe medications, and take care of the treatment plan.
- Training: Master’s or Doctoral degree
CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist):
- Role: Work specifically in fields like oncology, cardiology, and pediatrics.
- Training: Master’s degree with a concentration in a specific area.
Nurse Manager / Administrator:
- Role: In charge of groups of staff, a budget, and keeping in compliance with health policies.
- Education: BSN with additional management training or a Master’s degree.
Types of Nursing Jobs
There is so much more than a hospital setting involved in nursing. Here are the most common nursing jobs:
- Critical Care Nurse: Work in an ICU and treat critically ill patients.
- Pediatric Nurses: They work with babies, children, and teenagers.
- ER Nurse: The nurse will manage trauma and emergencies with precision and swiftness.
- Geriatric Nurse: Deals with elderly people and their respective health issues that require attention.
- Public Health Nurse: Promote health and wellness in communities through education and preventive care.
- Travel Nurse: Work on short-term assignments in different locations, providing care where it’s needed most.
- School Nurse: Provide healthcare services in educational institutions, focusing on children’s health.
- Home Health Nurse: Deliver personalized care to patients in their homes, including wound care and medication administration.
- Occupational Health Nurse: Ensure the health and safety of employees in workplaces.
- Flight Nurse: Provide care during medical evacuations and air transport of patients.
If you want to learn more about the different types of nurses we also have a detailed article written on our website.
Registered Nurse Positions
Registered Nurses (RNs) have some of the most versatile jobs in healthcare. Some positions are available for RNs alone. They include the following:
- Staff Nurse: General patients in hospitals or clinics.
- Charge Nurse: Leads nursing staff in shifts.
- Operating Room (OR) Nurse: Supports during surgeries.
- Case Manager: Oversees patient care and coordinates service between departments.
- Research Nurse: Supports research studies and clinical trials.
Gradual Growth in Nursing Careers: From Staff Nurse to the Highest Positions
Nursing careers offer significant opportunities for growth. Here’s an outline of the career path, from entry-level roles to the highest positions in the field, along with salary expectations and years of experience required.
Staff Nurse (RN):
- Role: As a staff nurse, you’ll be responsible for providing direct patient care, administering medications, and working as part of a clinical team.
- Years of Experience: Entry-level; usually 0-3 years.
- Pay: INR 3.5 – 6.5 lakhs annually; based on location and health care provider.
Charge Nurse:
- Function: The Charge Nurse oversees the nursing shifts, supervises staff, and organizes care.
- Years of Experience: Normally 3-5 years in nursing.
- Pay: INR 6 – 10 lakhs annually.
Nurse Manager / Nurse Administrator:
- Role: Nurse Managers manage nursing teams, handle budgets, and enforce policies in healthcare facilities.
- Years of Experience: 5-8 years of experience in nursing with further management training.
- Salary: INR 8 – 15 lakhs per year, depending on the facility and location.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS):
- Role: A CNS specializes in specific fields like oncology or cardiology and provides expert guidance within those areas.
- Years of Experience: Requires 5+ years of experience, typically after earning a master’s degree.
- Salary: INR 7 – 12 lakhs per year.
Nurse Practitioner (NP):
- Role: Nurse Practitioners hold advanced practice roles, diagnosing and treating illnesses independently. They have the authority to prescribe medications and manage treatment plans.
- Years of Experience: Requires 5-7 years of experience and a Master’s degree.
- Salary: INR 10 – 18 lakhs per year
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):
- Role: CRNAs are highly specialized nurses who administer anesthesia for surgeries and other medical procedures.
- Years of Experience: Usually requires 7-10 years of experience and a specialized certification.
- Salary: INR 12 – 20 lakhs per year, or higher.
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO):
- Role: As a CNO, you will oversee all nursing activities within a healthcare facility and provide leadership at the executive level.
- Years of Experience: Needs 10-15 years of nursing career with leadership or management experience.
- Salary: around INR 20 – 35 lakhs per year by organization.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree:
- Role: They are doctor-level nurses who exercise advanced clinical, leadership, and/or administrative competencies.
- Years of experience: requires 10+ years; the rest needed for DNP;
- Salary: INR 15 – 30 lakhs per year, depending on the role.
Exploring nursing careers
From the diversity presented in nursing, one can go for a field that best identifies with their desire and goals in life. To this end, here are other unique career opportunities:
- Nurse Educator: Teach and train future nurses.
- Forensic: Work where healthcare and crime justice meet at times assisting crime investigations.
- Informatics: Technology and data management nurses.
- Telehealth Nurse: Provide remote care and consultations through digital platforms.
- Military Nurse: Serves in the armed forces, offering medical care to personnel and their families.
Skills Needed for Various Nursing Roles
Each nursing role has its own set of skills. Here are some of the essential competencies:
- Communication: Key for all roles to ensure clear interaction with patients and teams.
- Critical Thinking: Vital for roles like Critical Care or Emergency Room Nurses.
- Leadership: Critical for Nurse Managers and Administrators.
- Technical Expertise: Essential to specialized practice.
- Emotional Intelligence and Tolerance: Necessary for all nursing jobs.
Conclusion
Nursing is a career full of possibilities and diverse careers. Whether you want to offer bedside care, specialize in a clinical area, or lead health care teams, there is a nursing position for you. You can make the right decisions regarding your career and find the right role that matches your passion and skills by considering the various types of positions in nursing.
The route starting from the nurse entry-level, all the way to the very top position a nurse can assume, is extremely challenging and worthwhile. As competition for well-equipped nursing professionals advances, the avenue for advancement to higher levels can be unlimited. Choose your track and make a difference in health care!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common nursing jobs?
The most common nursing jobs are Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants. Specialized roles such as Pediatric Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, and Nurse Practitioner are also in demand.
What is the highest nursing position?
The Chief Nursing Officer is usually the highest rank within nursing, but they oversee and manage nursing services in healthcare. Advanced practice such as Nurse Practitioners and CRNAs are also ranked highly and fairly compensated.
Are nurses allowed to work outside the hospital?
Indeed, nurses work in schools, community health organizations, corporate offices, military service, and also remote telehealth platforms.
