Registered Nurses are finding that, as with every other medically oriented profession, Nursing is moving towards specialization. That said, the shortage of Nurses in this country stems in large part from the hospitals that need ordinary Staff Nurses to work shifts on the floor. Nurses that work in Doctor’s Offices are also in short supply, so there is plenty of work for people who obtain the status of Registered Nurse.
Specialties include working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Clinical Nurses; Long Term Care; and Home Care. These are a few examples; many large medical facilities have other specialists on staff. There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: A bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. Any of these will work at the entry level. However many nurses find themselves returning to school after a few years of experience because the Bachelors degree will open up many more opportunities. There are also graduate degrees for specialties such as Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthetist.
