Donald Jacobsen, MSN, MBA, RN-BC (NI)

Career Resources / Job Searching / Nursing Opportunities Outside the Hospital

About 31% of all registered nurses in the United States work in a hospital setting. But, there are a wide variety of nursing opportunities outside the hospital setting as well. 

When most people think about what nurses do, they picture the typical staff nurse rounding on patients in a hospital unit. This article will introduce you to some jobs you may have never considered or even heard of, including:

• Assisted living nurse
• Camp nurse
• Corrections nurse
• Critical care transport nurse
• Cruise ship nurse
• Dialysis nurse
• Home health nurse
• Hospice nurse
• Legal nurse consultant
• Life insurance nurse reviewer
• Nurse case manager
• Nurse educator
• Nurse/Medical writer
• Occupational health and safety nurse
• Pharmaceutical nurse
• Public health nurse
• Rehabilitation nurse
• Risk management nurse
• School nurse
• Telephone triage nurse

Assisted Living Nurse

Nurses in assisted living facilities are responsible for the overall wellness of their patients. They work with vibrant elderly clients who may need some help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet. They may also provide medication instructions, wound care, and other treatments.

You must be able to build strong relationships with assisted living residents to provide the best possible care. As an assisted living nurse, you’ll have a lot of interaction with your clients every day. You must also be able to multitask and manage your time efficiently, as you’ll have to manage the care for many people.

Camp Nurse

Do you love the outdoors? Spend your summers working as a camp nurse! Camp nurses are responsible for the health and safety of campers, visitors, and staff. They provide first aid and basic emergency care for situations that might happen during the camp season. Camp nurses may also care for children with chronic conditions, depending on the camp setting.

As a camp nurse, you’ll need to be self-sufficient and comfortable working independently. You’ll often be the only medical professional on site. You’ll also need a strong understanding of child development and the physical and psychological needs of children of all ages.

---

---

Corrections nurse

Corrections Nurses work in the criminal justice system and provide nursing care to inmates in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers. Their work focuses on the health and well-being of individual patients, but they may also manage infection control and disease prevention for their facility.

Given the high-stress environment and limited resources, you’ll need strong critical thinking skills and the ability to manage difficult situations. You must also be able to build relationships with your patients, many of whom may have a history of trauma or abuse.

Critical care transport nurse

Critical care transport nurses provide advanced nursing care to critically ill and injured patients transported from one healthcare facility to another. While some critical care transport nurses may fall under the umbrella of a hospital organization, they often work as part of an ambulance or helicopter team.

Your primary duties as a critical care transport nurse will be to assess and manage the patient’s condition during transport. But, you may also have to assist other emergency personnel before transporting. For example, you may need to triage and stabilize many patients in dangerous, unpredictable conditions like fatal traffic accidents or disasters.

Critical care transport nurses must have a strong knowledge of advanced nursing concepts and be able to respond quickly and decisively in emergency situations. They often work long hours and must be able to handle stress effectively.

Cruise ship nurse

Nurses on cruise ships typically work in the ship’s medical center. They may be responsible for providing direct care to passengers and crew members. Cruise ship nurses have the opportunity to travel the world and see new places while working. 

Some of your duties as a cruise ship nurse might include providing first aid, assessing ill patients, and administering medication. Cruise ship nurses also participate in emergency drills and manage medical emergencies as they occur. 

While the job can take you away from your home, friends, and family for months, the opportunity to travel and see the world may outweigh any negatives.

Dialysis nurse

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) affects nearly 800,000 people in the United States, with 71% of those people needing regular dialysis to live.

As a dialysis nurse, you’ll be responsible for providing care to patients with chronic kidney failure. This includes managing their treatments, monitoring their condition, and providing support and education to patients and their families. 

In addition to direct care during treatments, the nurse is responsible for administrative tasks to keep the dialysis clinic running. This might include coordinating patient schedules, ordering supplies, and supervising technicians.

Home health nurse

As a home health nurse, you’ll provide care and support to patients who are recovering from illness or injury in the comfort of their own homes. You’ll work with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans and ensure that each patient receives the quality of care they need. 

Working as a home health nurse requires excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to think on your feet. You must be able to adapt to different home environments and socioeconomic situations, handling many new challenges as they arise.

Home health nursing can be demanding, but the reward is that you’ll help patients to regain their independence and improve their quality of life.

Hospice nurse

Hospice nurses provide care for terminally ill patients and their families. They focus on managing symptoms and providing comfort rather than curing the underlying disease. Hospice nurses typically work in patients’ homes, but may also work in nursing homes or hospice facilities.

In addition to providing direct patient care, hospice nurses also serve as educators and advocates for patients and families. They often work closely with other hospice team members, including social workers and chaplains.

Hospice nurses need excellent communication skills, as they often deal with sensitive issues such as death and dying. They must also effectively manage their patient’s physical and emotional needs.

Legal nurse consultant

As a nurse, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be extremely valuable to attorneys in cases related to medical care. Legal nurse consultants (LNCs) work with lawyers to provide expert analysis of medical evidence, review medical records, and give testimony in court. 

Legal nurse consultants may also develop case strategies, conduct research, and identify potential witnesses. To be successful in this field, LNCs must have strong analytical skills and be able to think critically about complex medical information.

---

---

Life insurance nurse reviewer

Another exciting option for nurses looking for a change of pace is working as a life insurance company nurse reviewer. Nurse reviewers play a vital role in the insurance industry by reviewing medical and economic information. Nurse reviewers then analyze this information to determine coverage.

To be successful in this field, nurse reviewers must have excellent analytical, research, and chart review skills. They must also be able to communicate effectively with both customers and insurance company staff.

If you are interested in using your nursing skills to help people navigate the often-complex world of insurance, then working as a nurse reviewer could be the perfect career for you.

Nurse case manager

Many health insurance companies employ nurse case managers to coordinate care for patients with chronic or complex health needs. As a nurse case manager, you’ll work with patients and their families to ensure they get the services they need. You’ll also serve as a liaison between the patient and the healthcare team.

Nurse case managers may also work for non-profit healthcare clinics and other community organizations. Nurses in these types of roles function similarly to social workers, connecting clients with health and economic resources in the community.

Nurse educator

If you enjoy working with students or new nurses, and have a passion for lifelong learning, a career in nursing education could be the perfect fit for you. Nurse educators work in various settings, including colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, and medical equipment manufacturers.

Nurse educators in the academic setting typically teach undergraduate and graduate-level courses. They may also be involved in research or clinical practice. Nurse educators working for healthcare-related companies often teach continuing education courses or develop educational materials related to new equipment or treatments.

Nurse educators must have patience and strong teaching skills, whether working in academia or for a corporation. In addition to having substantial knowledge of nursing theory and practice, nurse educators must also be skilled in instructional methods and curriculum development.

Nurse/Medical writer

Medical writers produce a wide variety of content, including patient education materials, articles for medical journals, and marketing materials for pharmaceutical companies. As a nurse writer, you’ll use your wealth of clinical knowledge to provide accurate and reliable information about health and healthcare. Nurse writers work anywhere healthcare education is needed, including hospitals, government organizations, and medical equipment manufacturers.

To be successful in this field, nurses must have a strong writing background and excellent research and investigation skills. They must also comprehend complex medical information and explain it in a way that people without healthcare experience can understand.

Occupational health and safety nurse

Also known as employee health nurses, occupational health and safety nurses work to promote employees’ health and safety in different workplace settings. These nurses typically work for manufacturing companies but may also be employed by the government or any organization with large numbers of employees.

Occupational health and safety nurses are responsible for conducting employee health screenings, developing health and safety programs, and investigating work-related injuries and illnesses. They must effectively communicate with employees, managers, and health and safety officials.

Pharmaceutical nurse

Insurance companies and some specialty pharmacies employ Pharmacy Nurses to educate patients about their medications and help them manage their condition. As a pharmacy nurse, you’ll work with patients to ensure they understand how to take their medications correctly, how to recognize side effects, and when to call for help. You may also be responsible for coordinating care between the patient’s primary care provider, specialists, and the pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical nurses need a strong understanding of medication management. They must be familiar with various drugs used to treat chronic and acute conditions. They must also be able to effectively teach patients about complex medication topics and assess whether the patient is competent to administer their medications.

Public health nurse

Public health nurses are community health specialists who work to promote and protect the health of populations. Public health nurses typically work for health departments and government agencies. They may be involved in activities such as developing health education materials, conducting outreach, and providing direct care.

To be successful in this field, these nurses must be familiar with public health principles and practices and be able to apply them to real-world situations effectively. Public health nurses often work in routine situations like inspection of health facilities but may also play a crucial role in public health disasters such as pandemics.

Rehabilitation nurse

As a rehabilitation nurse, you’ll help patients with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions regain their independence. You’ll work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that may include exercise, diet, and psychosocial support to cope with the challenges of living with a disability.

In addition to working with patients, you’ll collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive coordinated and comprehensive care. If you are passionate about helping others heal and live their best lives, then a career as a rehabilitation nurse may be the perfect fit for you.

Risk management nurse

Risk management nurses are responsible for identifying, evaluating, and managing patient safety risks in healthcare organizations. They typically work in hospitals but may also be employed by insurance companies, government agencies, or accrediting bodies.

Risk management nurses improve patient safety by conducting risk assessments, developing safety protocols, and investigating incidents. They must be able to collaborate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that everyone is aware of potential risks and knows how to prevent them.

If you’re interested in a career that allows you to help make the healthcare system safer and better for everyone involved, then working as a risk management nurse may be the perfect fit for you.

School nurse

School nurses play a critical role in the health and well-being of students. They assess sick and injured students, conduct health screenings, and promote wellness initiatives. School nurses may also be responsible for the direct care of children with special needs, such as those requiring tube feeding or tracheostomy care.

To succeed in this role, school nurses must manage a wide range of tasks, have strong communication skills, and work effectively with teachers and parents. In addition, they must have strong knowledge of child development and be familiar with the unique health needs of children.

Telephone triage nurse

As a telephone triage nurse, you’ll play an essential role in providing patient care over the phone. You will often be the first point of contact for patients experiencing health concerns. In many cases, you will be able to provide guidance and advice that can help resolve the issue without needing a clinic or hospital visit.

Telephone triage nurses must be able to quickly assess symptoms and make recommendations based on best practices. This requires excellent patient interviewing skills and a thorough knowledge of evidence-based care. Telephone triage nurses may work for physician offices, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations.

---

Questions from the Incredible Health Nurse Community

• What is your best tip for dealing with a stressful situation at work?
• How do you deal with veteran nurses and doctors who look down, and degrade new grad nurses? Some of them are a little older so it’s hard for me to defend myself.
• I’m 43 and want a new career. Recently I was accepted into a 24 month RN program. Am I too old to start a nursing career?
• What exactly is the role of a nursing union?
• How do I make myself more marketable?
• I want to become a nurse manager in the future. Are there any books or resources I can read to help me learn?

More →

---

Final thoughts on non-hospital nursing jobs

If you’re interested in a nursing career but don’t want to work in a hospital, there are many paths to choose from. Every type of nursing role has its unique set of responsibilities and challenges. Still, they all offer the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

To learn more about other exciting nursing opportunities, check out our blog post: 11 Alternatives to Bedside Nursing.

Nurse Types / Informatics Nurse

Have you ever been interested in working with computers and technology, and wondered how you could merge that interest with nursing? As the healthcare industry becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the need for qualified healthcare professionals such as informatics nurses continues to grow. 

In this article, we’ll help prepare you to start your nursing informatics career and will cover the following topics:

• What is an informatics nurse?
• What do informatics nurses do?
• Where do informatics nurses work?
• What are the specific types of informatics nurses?
• How do you become an informatics nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements for informatics nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for informatics nurses?

---

---

What is an informatics nurse?

An informatics nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who uses their clinical knowledge to help support the use of technology in patient care. 

They work with electronic health records (EHRs), computerized physician order entry systems, and other health information technology (IT). 

Informatics nurses also train staff on using these systems and troubleshoot any potential problems.

Qualities of a successful informatics nurse

Informatics nurses bridge the gap between clinicians’ needs and technology’s capabilities. To be successful in this specialty, informatics nurses should have:

• Passion for using technology to improve patient care
• Strong understanding of clinical workflows
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to think critically and solve problems
• Ability to learn new technology quickly
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities

What do informatics nurses do?

Informatics nurses are responsible for a wide range of duties. They serve as a link between the clinical and technical aspects of healthcare. 

Additionally, informatics nurses use their knowledge of patient care, nursing process, and information technology to improve patient outcomes. Informatics nurses also collect data to support evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.

A day in the life of a nurse informaticist

As an informatics nurse, you’ll oversee the health information systems in a hospital or other healthcare setting. You’ll work with physicians, nurses, and other medical staff to ensure that the electronic health records and other health systems function as expected. In addition, you might be responsible for training new staff on how to use the EHR system.

Your day might start with consulting the medical staff for recommendations on clinical updates. Later, you might spend time training new nurses on how to use the system. After that, you may need to meet with the IT department to discuss a new type of medical device that will interface with the EHR.

Later in the day, you may update the systems, adding new features or fixing errors. Finally, you might end your day in a meeting with a quality improvement team to discuss how the EHR can help with a patient safety issue.

Common problems managed by informatics professionals

Informatics nurses work with many other specialties and departments to use the capabilities of health information systems. Because of the numerous aspects of healthcare that are taken into account with clinical informatics, there are many different problems that informatics nurses might manage, including:

• Healthcare technology system design flaws
• Workflow inefficiencies
• Security breaches of patient health information
• Communication issues between various healthcare providers
• Inadequate training on how to use EHRs
• Difficulties integrating new technologies into existing systems

The informatics nurse’s role as a liaison between the clinical and IT worlds puts them in a position to help identify and solve these common problems.

Where do informatics nurses work?

Informatics nurses work in many settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, insurance companies, and nursing homes. They may also work for government agencies or private companies developing or selling health care software or systems.

What are some specific types of informatics nurses?

While the typical informatics nurse is a hospital-based generalist, there are some more specialized types of informatics nurses.

• EHR analysts focus solely on implementing and maintaining electronic health records. This informatics nurse may develop new features for the EHR or troubleshoot broken functionality.
• Data analysts use database programming languages like SQL to extract information from the EHR. The data analyst might create reports used by nurses and providers to improve the quality of patient care.
• Clinical project managers manage the implementation of different clinical initiatives. Clinical project managers may work with other informatics nurses, vendors, and department managers to improve clinical processes.

Closely related job titles

Informatics nurses fall under the umbrella of nursing administration. Other nursing administration fields that may perform duties similar to informatics nurses include:

• Quality improvement nurses
• Infection control nurses
• Case managers
• Nurse educators
• Clinical documentation specialist
• Public health nursing

How do you become an informatics nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1: Become a registered nurse

The first and most critical step to becoming an informatics nurse is to become a registered nurse. While some informatics positions don’t require an RN credential, certified informatics nurses must hold an active RN license.

To become a registered nurse, you’ll need to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Earn a BSN degree

According to a recent American Association of Colleges of Nursing survey, nurses with a bachelor’s degree are more competitive in the job market than their associate degree counterparts. 

There are many paths to earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, including a traditional 4-year nursing program, an accelerated(ABSN) program, and RN-to-BSN bridge programs. 

Your educational background and experience will help determine the right BSN program for you. 

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

All registered nurses in the United States must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed. After passing the NCLEX-RN, you may apply for licensure as a registered nurse in your state. 

Step 2: Accumulate experience

Since nursing informatics specialists rely on extensive clinical nursing experience and decision-making, it can be difficult for new graduate nurses to get their foot in the door in this specialty. Most nurses have several years of nursing experience before entering this field.

Helpful skills and experience

Being a nurse informaticist is not an entry-level position. So, a great start is to have a strong foundation in nursing. Having experience in various nursing specialties to better understand the workflow variations in different clinical areas will be beneficial.

It’s also helpful to have experience working with electronic health records and other health information technology. One of the best ways to get exposure to health IT is to volunteer as a trainer for new technologies and devices in your clinical area.

Changing specialty to informatics nursing

If you’re looking to change specialties to nursing informatics, it’s helpful to have a strong knowledge of your current specialty and an idea of how informatics might apply.

For example, if you’re a med-surg nurse, you may already be familiar with problems like patient falls and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). You might consider working with an informatics nurse to create a project to reduce CAUTIs on your unit.

Another option might be to reach out to informatics nurses in your hospital to shadow them and learn more about their job. Being visible and showing an interest in the specialty is one of the best ways to pave the way to a career in informatics.

Step 3: Obtain certifications

Certifications can really help you establish experience in the specialty you want. The principal certification for informatics nurses is the Informatics Nursing Certification (RN-BC) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The informatics certification requires the following for BSN nurses:

• 2 years of full-time experience as an RN
• 30 hours of informatics continuing education (CE) in the past 3 years
• 2,000 hours of informatics nursing experience in the last 3 years

The RN-BC certification requires informatics experience. So, it’s not realistic to pursue it before getting an informatics nurse job. However, other certifications can help you land that first job, including:

• Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
• Certified Associate in Project Management

---

---

What are additional requirements for informatics nurses? 

To be an informatics nurse, you’ll need to be comfortable with a wide range of technologies, including computers, software applications, and medical devices. You’ll also need strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically. 

As with any nursing specialty, excellent communication skills are essential. Informatics nurses must communicate effectively with physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members. They also need to be able to educate others on the use of new technologies and workflows.

Finally, you must have a strong foundation in nursing theory and principles. Without a robust understanding of clinical roles and workflows, it can be difficult to effectively design and implement new technologies for clinicians.

Informatics nurse salary FAQs

Job satisfaction

Like any nursing specialty, informatics nursing can be challenging. While you may not be taking care of patients directly, you’ll be responsible for decisions that impact your entire healthcare system. This level of responsibility can be a lot of pressure, especially when juggling the competing needs of physicians, nurses, and management.

Despite its challenges, a career in informatics can be very gratifying. According to a 2020 survey by HIMSS, about 75% of informatics nurses report high levels of job satisfaction, as they can use their skills and knowledge to make a difference in patients’ lives.

Next steps

Once you’ve secured your first informatics nurse job, you can advance your career by pursuing continuing education, getting certified, and networking.

Continuing education is vital for all nurses, but it is especially crucial for informatics nurses. As new technologies emerge, you’ll need to stay up-to-date on the latest changes. One way to do this is by taking informatics-specific CE courses.

In addition to continuing your education, you can also advance your informatics career by earning certifications. Aside from the certifications mentioned earlier, HIMSS offers the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS). To achieve this certification, nurses must have 5 years of experience working in informatics.

Networking is another important way for nurses to advance their careers. You can network with informatics nurses by joining professional organizations like HIMSS or attending conferences and events. Connecting with other informatics nurses can help you stay up-to-date on the latest changes in the field and learn about new job opportunities.

If you’re interested in a career in informatics nursing, take a look at our nursing career resources to help you plan your next move. With the right education and training, you can become an in-demand informatics nurse and make a difference in patients’ lives.

---

---