26 Different Types of Nursing Jobs

From providing daily patient care to helping perform diagnostic tests and operating medical equipment, nurses are the glue that holds the healthcare profession together.¹ However, not all nurses perform the same duties. The field of nursing is as broad and varied as the types of care that nurses provide—and there’s a range of different nursing jobs for aspiring nurses.¹

Whether you’re launching a healthcare career or considering pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or another nursing path, it helps to know your options. We’ll walk through the four main types of nursing jobs and a few potential specialties to help you choose the right nursing career.

What Kind of Nursing Jobs Are There?

There are many different nursing jobs and specialties.¹ Learning the main types of nurse jobs can help guide you.²

The following types of nursing jobs are organized by the nurse’s level of education and licensing, but there are many ways to advance your career and assume more responsibilities.²

#1 Certified Nursing Assistants

A certified nursing assistant (CNA), also known as a nurse aide, works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) to prepare rooms and help patients bathe, eat and drink.³ They are often the first line of care for patients and provide assistance with a myriad of basic daily needs.³

While some CNAs work in hospitals or other settings, they’re also often hired in skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities or home health care.³ This position could act as a stepping stone for those who think they might want to gain experience and hands-on knowledge to pursue a career in healthcare.³

You don’t need a college degree to become a CNA. However, you do need a high school diploma or GED, certification and state licensure.³ Certified Nurse Assistant programs typically take between four to sixteen weeks to complete and require 75 hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training.³

#2 Licensed Practical Nurses

Like CNAs, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are among the types of nursing jobs that typically work under the supervision of RNs, physicians or other medical professionals.⁴ They are also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).⁴

LPNs share some daily tasks with CNAs, but they are less likely to perform basic wellness tasks, like changing bed sheets, and are more likely to administer medications, observe vital signs and communicate between patients, families and the rest of the care team.⁴ This higher level of responsibility requires additional qualifications and the completion of an accredited practical nursing certificate program. LPN training programs take approximately a year to complete and require National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam passage.⁴

#3 Registered Nurses

Registered nurses share responsibilities with some of the different types of nursing jobs already mentioned and may also be responsible for assessing the patient’s condition, completing physical examinations, operating medical equipment and helping perform diagnostic tests.¹ They may also perform managerial duties, such as developing care plans.¹

The first step to becoming an RN is to complete an approved nursing education program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The former generally takes two to three years to complete, while the latter typically requires four years of study.⁵ After earning a nursing degree, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam to become licensed.⁶

#4 Nurse Practitioners

The next type of nursing jobs is a Nurse Practitioner (NP), which is a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).⁷ The responsibilities of an NP are similar to a physician’s duties; they can prescribe medications, diagnose patients and offer treatments.⁷

In some states, NPs have full practice authority and don’t need a doctor’s supervision to provide nursing care.⁷ In others, they have the same responsibilities but need a doctor to sign off on some decisions.⁷

Before becoming an NP, you must first become an RN, usually with a BSN.⁷ Then, enroll in one of two graduate degree programs.⁸ The first option is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which will allow you to level up your nursing knowledge and skills to take on more responsibility or specialize in a particular field, such as forensics.⁸

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program can be completed after an MSN or by entering a BSN-DNP program.⁸ This is one of the highest qualifications a nurse can achieve and one that opens the door to many leadership styles and different nursing jobs.⁸ If you want to impact the healthcare industry from a high level, a DNP might be for you.

Once you’ve received your degree, you will need to obtain an NP license in your state.⁷

What Are the Different Types of Nursing Jobs: 22 Additional Nursing Fields

Aside from the four main types of nursing jobs, there are many specialties to consider. Each requires varying degrees of certification and education.

Some types of nurse jobs available to RNs, ADNs and BSNs include:⁹

#5 Emergency Room (ER) Nurses

These types of nursing jobs are ideal for those who prefer a fast-paced environment and juggling multiple patients with potentially severe conditions.⁹

#6 Operating Room (OR) Nurses

These nurses perform a variety of duties in the Operating Room (OR), from ensuring medical equipment is working correctly to monitoring patients during surgery.⁹

#7 Pediatric Nurses

A pediatric nurse practitioner performs typical nursing work but with babies, toddlers and other children.⁹

#8 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurses

Types of nurse jobs like neonatal nurse practitioners are best suited for those with excellent communication skills and empathy. ICU nurses care for newborns in critical condition and confer with their parents.⁹

#9 Labor and Delivery Nurses

This field is best suited for those prepared to have two patients simultaneously—the mother and the baby. These nurses time contractions, monitor mom and baby’s vital signs and aid in labor induction.⁹

#10 Oncology Nurses

Oncology nurses represent different nursing jobs from what we’ve reviewed. They administer medications, care for patients following oncologic surgeries and perform other nursing tasks for the .⁹

#11 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses

Those pursuing these types of nursing jobs look after patients who require greater attention to detail and a higher level of care. These nurses must always be ready to adapt to patients’ changing status and care needs.⁹

#12 Surgical Nurses

While the specific responsibilities vary by role, all surgical nurses assist with surgery in some capacity. Their tasks may also include discussing surgical procedures and aftercare instructions with patients.⁹

#13 Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurses

PACU nurses monitor patients carefully as they come out of sedation. Those pursuing these types of nursing jobs are prepared at all moments to take immediate action should any complications arise.⁹

#14 Trauma nurses

This specialty requires nurses who can quickly evaluate and respond to patients’ critical needs, whether it’s giving CPR or starting IVs as they care for patients with major injuries.⁹

#15 Home Care Nurses

These types of nurse jobs take their care services on the road and can handle changing locations every day they work. Home care nurses provide in-home care for their patients, which may include changing bandages and dressings, cleaning wounds or sores and administering at-home IVs or medications.¹⁰

#16 Cardiac Nurses

These nurses specialize in cardiology and heart health. They may work in a hospital, the ICU or a long-term care facility, and their responsibilities may include working with medical devices, communicating with their patients or aiding surgeries.¹¹

#17 Rehabilitation Nurse

Among the different types of nursing jobs, rehabilitation nurses help patients with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Their duties may find them working in outpatient or inpatient work settings.¹²

Some types of nursing jobs may require a higher degree of education, such as an MSN or DNP. A few of the different nurse jobs that are considered more advanced include:

#18 Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs)

FNPs treat patients of all ages, from babies to seniors.¹³ Among the different nursing jobs, this is one with a broad scope, as you need to know how to treat patients with different needs and health histories.¹³ This position may be ideal for those who love variety in their work.

#19 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs)

PMHNPs, also known as psychiatric nurse practitioners, are NPs who specialize in mental health issues.¹⁴ They do much of what a psychiatrist does: diagnose and treat problems, provide therapy and prescribe medication.¹⁴

#20 Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs)

AGNPs manage the care of patients – from young adulthood to old age. They typically work in hospital outpatient clinics, hospital inpatient units and private group practices.¹⁵

#21 Nurse Educator

Of the different nursing jobs, these nurses work in the academic field and teach students, conduct research and develop curriculum.⁹ A nurse educator is similar to a professor of nursing, and an MSN is required.⁹

#22 Nurse Executive

This senior role leads the nursing team and is among the types of nursing jobs that oversee the administrative side of patient care services. Nurse executives innovate new processes, influence policies, improve patient care and advance the role of nursing in their organizations.¹⁶

#23 Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

CNMs assist with the labor and delivery process. They can deliver babies, provide prenatal and postpartum care and offer patient education to support a safe pregnancy.⁹

#24 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

CRNAs care for patients while they are under anesthesia and can also administer anesthetic and patient medication. Those interested in these types of nursing jobs are able to bring anesthesia services to practice settings that may otherwise lack them.⁹

#25 Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

The role of the CNS is to enhance education by delivering resources and completing research. Those involved in these types of nursing jobs assist with evidence-based practice projects and research while also providing transitional care, helping nurses and educating patients, families and communities.⁹

#26 Clinical Nurse Leader

This is a relatively new position among the different nurse jobs. The clinical nurse leader advocates for patients and patients’ families. They are also responsible for coordinating and delegating patient care and educating staff on new policies and procedures.⁹

Choosing the Right Type of Nursing Jobs

With so many different nursing jobs, how do you decide which path to pursue?

It depends on what you want in a career and the time and resources you have to earn your education. If you want to work in healthcare with a steady nursing job and fewer responsibilities, a CNA position may be for you.⁹ If you have your eyes on a specialized role, you may want to earn an MSN and become a Nurse Practitioner. If you choose to pursue the types of nurse jobs where you assume managerial responsibilities, you’ll probably need a DNP.⁸

Let’s explore common questions about different types of nursing jobs and their career outlooks.

Which Types of Nursing Jobs Have the Most Autonomy?

NPs tend to have the most autonomy of all the different nursing jobs.^{7, 17} In some states, they operate independent practices.

Nurse educators and administrators, as well as non-hospital roles like home health professionals and school nurses, also enjoy a level of autonomy.¹⁷

What Are the Most In-Demand Types of Nurse Jobs?

While all healthcare positions are expected to rise in demand over the next decade, NPs have the best outlook of the different types of nursing jobs: Nurse practitioner jobs are expected to grow by 40% between 2023 and 2033.¹⁹

While NP opportunities are increasing quickly, RNs have more job openings. By the year 2033, an estimated 197,200 RN jobs are expected to open up, in comparison to the 141,200 expected job openings for NPs, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives.^19,20

Due to an aging population, a new emphasis on preventative care and a rise in chronic conditions, healthcare is an industry that continues to promise plentiful job opportunities.²⁰

Which Nursing Job is the Highest Paid?

With their higher education level, APRNs typically earn the most of all the different nursing jobs.¹⁹ APRNs (the Bureau of Labor Statistics includes nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists) in the U.S. had a median annual salary of $129,480 in 2023.¹⁹

In the same year, RNs logged a median annual salary of $86,070²⁰, LPNs were at $59,730²¹ and nursing assistants (NAs), $38,130.²²

In other words, the more you learn, the more you can earn.¹⁹

Advance Your Nursing Career

Determining which of the different types of nursing jobs appeals to you can help you set the foundation for a satisfying and rewarding career. The next step is to pursue an advanced nursing education.

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers student-first education to develop healthcare professionals across many types of nursing jobs and levels. Our five beautiful campuses in Florida, Texas and Southern California boast state-of-the-art laboratories and high-quality digital learning.

We offer flexible and supportive online nursing programs and work with you to create a study plan that aligns with your lifestyle and schedule. Learn more about the graduate nursing programs at USAHS and request information today.

Sources:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Registered Nurses: What Registered Nurses Do,” Occupational Outlook Handbook,  August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-2.
2. Sarah Jividen, “Levels of Nursing & Ranks Explained,” Nurse.Org, August 21, 2024, https://nurse.org/education/nursing-hierarchy-guide/.
3. Rebecca Munday, “Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Overview,” NurseJournal, November 23, 2022, https://nursejournal.org/cna/.
4. Nurse.org staff, “Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Guide | Salary & Programs 2024,” Nurse.org, July  31, 2024, https://nurse.org/resources/licensed-practical-nurse-lpn-lvn/.
5. Kathleen Gaines, “How to Become a Registered Nurse in 4 Steps | 2024,” Nurse.org, August 21, 2024, https://nurse.org/resources/how-to-become-a-nurse/#adn.
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Registered Nurses: How to Become a Registered Nurse: Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-4.
7. Terri Heimann Oppenheimer, “Nurse Practitioner,” Nurse.org, July 26, 2024, https://nurse.org/resources/nurse-practitioner/.
8. Indeed Editorial Team, “MSN vs. DNP: Definitions, Differences and Tips,” Indeed, July 30, 2024, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/msn-vs-dnp.
9. Kathleen Gaines, “What Are All the Types of Nurses?,” Nurse.org, April 23, 2024, https://nurse.org/education/types-of-nurses/.
10. Nurse.org staff, “How to Become a Home Health Nurse,” Nurse.org, July 23, 2024, https://nurse.org/resources/home-health-nurse/.
11. Ayana Dunn, “Cardiac Nurse Career Overview,” NurseJournal, June 11, 2024, https://nursejournal.org/careers/cardiac-care-nurse/.
12.  “Rehabilitation Nurses Play a Variety of Roles,” Association Of Rehabilitation Nurses, ARN, https://rehabnurse.org/about/roles-of-the-rehab-nurse.
13.  “Are You Considering a Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner?”, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, July 3, 2019, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-a-family-nurse-practitioner.
14. “Are You Considering a Career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?” American Association of Nurse Practitioners, December 13, 2019, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner.
15. Kathleen Gaines, “How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP),” Nurse.org, July 30, 2024, https://nurse.org/resources/adult-gerontology-nurse-practitioner/.
16. NurseJournal Staff, “Nurse Executive Career Description,” NurseJournal, October 10, 2023, https://nursejournal.org/executive-nurse/.
17. Darby Faubion, “25 Common Examples of Autonomy in Nursing + How to Get More,” NursingProcess.org, https://www.nursingprocess.org/autonomy-in-nursing.html.
18. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners,” Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, April 3, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm.
19. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Summary,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
20. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Registered Nurses: Summary,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
21. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Summary,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm.
22. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “Nursing Assistants and Orderlies: Summary,” Occupational Outlook Handbook, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm.