Career Development Center

Career Planning

Nursing Major Career Planning Options

Nursing involves the identification, assessment, and treatment of patient responses to actual or potential health problems. The Registered Nurse (RN) utilizes planning, systematic action, evaluation, and communication skills to effectively provide care, treatment, counseling, and health education to ill or injured people. In addition, nurses are educated to advocate for and to promote optimal wellness of individuals as well as diverse populations in the community. Rivier University nursing majors learn to assess patients' biological, physical and emotional needs, so as to understand their unique complexities in order to develop and implement effective individualized plans of care. Nurses learn to use the information to facilitate patient recovery, independence, and a return to optimal levels of functioning. Rapid changes in the health care system, emerging technological advances, and cultural shifts toward health and wellness have worked to broaden the scope of nursing career opportunities. Rivier University nursing majors achieve a liberal arts and sciences foundation, which serves to enhance career opportunities requiring solid communication and critical thinking skills. Visit Rivier's Nursing Department for information on degrees and course offerings.

Nursing Major Skills

Self-Directed
Oral & Written Communication
Problem- Solving
Analyze & Synthesize Complex Data
Interpersonal Skills
Physical Stamina
Administer Medications/
Treatments
Visual Monitoring
Data Recording/Reporting
Information Gathering & Handling
Work Well Under Stress
Prioritize Multiple Tasks
Knowledge of Human & Group Behavior

Critical Thinking
Manual Dexterity
Quick Decision Making
Analytical
Measure Vital Signs
Assessment/Planning/
Evaluation
Operate Medical Equipment
Counsel/Instruct/Comfort
Provide Medical Care
Utilize Information Systems
Collaboration
Knowledge of Science, Medicine & Ethics

 

 

Clinical experiences offer Rivier nursing students exposure to a variety of health care settings. In addition, students are encouraged to research and reflect upon specialty areas and particular settings of interest. For example, a student with a special interest in critical care nursing or school nursing or pediatric nursing can request a related clinical preceptorship experience as part of the baccalaureate program of studies. Upon graduation, the student can then seek positions which will advance his/her skills and lead towards intended goals.

 

 

Career Paths in Nursing

Career options for RNs vary by setting and area of concentration. In-patient career options include hospital based nursing, nursing administration, case management and risk management, and education. Out-patient career options include home care, long-term care, cardiac rehabilitation, school nursing, hospice care, public health nursing, and occupational health careers. Non-traditional career options include insurance, law, sales, consulting and entrepreneurship. Careful career planning can help nursing majors make the most of their education. Typically, a bachelor's degree and further graduate study are necessary to pursue certain specialties including Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, and Nurse Practitioner, as well as advanced positions in health care administration, research, and higher education. Graduate nursing programs offered at Rivier include Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Specialist, and Nursing Education.

Nursing graduates may work as . . .
(The following are titles from across the industry. Some of these jobs may require education or experience beyond a bachelor's degree.)
 
In-Patient and Out-Patient Career Options

Nursing CareersCritical Care
Medical/Surgical
Emergency Room
Oncology
Cardiology
Flight Trauma
Infection Control
Psychiatric (child and adult)
Prenatal Specialist
Pediatrics
Rehabilitation
Research
Labor and Delivery
Chemical Dependency
Organ Transplantation
Trauma Center
Private Duty
Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Practitioner
Diabetes Nurse
Nurse Midwife
Office Nurse (general and specialties)
Operative Room Nurse

Case Management and Patient Care Advocacy
Intake Coordinator
Case Manager
Discharge Planner

 

Professional and Patient Education CPR Training 
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Neonatal Advanced Life Support
Rehabilitation Nurse Educator

Home Care NursingHospice Care
IV Therapy
Pediatrics
Fetal Monitoring
Case Manager
Home Health Care Supervisor

Psychiatric NursingChemical Dependency/Drug Rehab Nurse
Chronic Psychiatric Care
Acute Psychiatric Care 

Nurse ManagersAdministrator (nursing services)
Staff Educator
Health Center Manager
Risk Management Coordinator

Long Term Care NursingLong-term Care
End of Life Care
Alzheimer's Care
Assisted Living Care
Sub acute Rehabilitation Care

Cardiac RehabilitationStress/Behavior Management Educator
Nutrition and Lifestyle Educator/Counselor

Community EducationWellness Educator
Weight Management
Nutritional Educator
Stress Management
Prenatal Education
Basic Life Support (CPR)

Rehabilitation NursingHead Injury Care
Stroke/Cardiac Care
Respiratory Care

Other OptionsForensic Nurse
Public Health Nurse
School Nurse 
Military Nurse

Business Career Options

Quality Assurance Manager
Utilization of Services Reviewer
Occupational Health Clinic Nurse
Industrial Health Nurse
Worker's Compensation Nurse
Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant
Telephone Triage Service Coordinator
Sales Representative (Medical/ Pharmaceutical products)
In-Service Product Trainer

Nurse Consultant
Medical-Legal Nurse Consultant
Clinical Nursing Instructor (Higher Ed)
Professor of Nursing (Higher Ed)
Entrepreneurship
Researcher (Clinical and Non-Clinical)
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Professional Nursing Association Officer
Public Health Nurse
Writer/ Editor

 

 

Nursing graduates may work at . . .

Hospitals/Health Clinics 
Physicians' Offices 
Government Agencies 
Schools & Camps
Colleges & Universities
Community Nursing Centers
Long Term Care Facilities
Mental Health Centers
Senior Centers
World Health Care Organizations
Wellness Centers
Rehabilitation Agencies 
Community Agencies
Business & Industry 
Pharmaceutical Companies 
Medical Corporations 
Laboratories
Private Research

Insurance Companies
Fitness Centers
Consulting Firms
Professional Nursing Associations
Recovery Centers
Out-Patient Clinics
Home Health Care Agencies
Nursing & Retirement
Homes 
Managed Care
Organizations 
Public Health Services
Recreational Facilities
Hospice Organizations
Medical/Health Publications
Medical Products/
Technologies
Out-Patient Surgical Centers

 

 

Ways to Increase Employability

  • Pursue elective course work or additional training related to one's professional field of interest.
  • Participate in volunteer and service learning opportunities.
  • Become an active student member of university, community, or professional organizations, which enhance leadership skills and promote networking relationships with fellow professionals.
  • Obtain quality practical experience prior to graduation through relevant part-time, full-time, and summer job positions.

Sources of Information on Majors, Careers and Employment in Nursing

  • Rivier University Faculty Advisors, Academic Advisors, & Chemistry Department Resources
  • Professionals Working in the Field
  • Professional Organizations
  • Rivier University Career Development Center Counseling Staff, Website & Office Resources

Rivier University's Career Development Center Resources
Effective career decision-making evolves through a process of gathering accurate self-knowledge and significant information about the major or career being explored.  The Rivier University Career Development Center offers individual counseling and career resources regarding self-assessment, career exploration, gaining practical experience, and job searching skills.  For more information, contact us at 897-8246.  The following is a partial list of career resources, available in our office, which may be of interest to Nursing majors:

  • Careers for Caring People and Other Sensitive Types
  • Career Opportunities in Health Care
  • Expert Resumes for Health Care Careers
  • Extraordinary Jobs in Health and Science
  • Nursing Career Opportunities
  • Health Care Job Explosion: High Growth Health Care Careers & Job Finder
  • Anatomy of a Job Search: A Nurse’s Guide to Finding and Landing the Job You Want
  • Majoring in Nursing: From Prerequisites to Postgraduate Study and Beyond
  • Nurses’ Career Guide: Discovering New Horizons in Health Care
  • Opportunities in Holistic Health Care Careers
  • Real People Working in Health Care
  • Real People Working in Helping Professions
  • The 50 Coolest Jobs in Sports
  • Alternative Careers in Science
  • Career for Scientific Types & Others With Inquiring Minds
  • Peterson’s Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, etc.
  • Peterson’s Job Opportunities for Health and Science Majors
  • New Hampshire Health Careers
  • Careers in Health Care
  • Vault Career Guide to Nursing
  • Opportunities in Hospital Administration Careers

Professional & Rivier University Organizations Related to Nursing

Career Related Websites for Nursing Majors

 

 

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