Medical/Surgical Specialties
Pediatrics
Operating Room
Emergency Room
Critical Care Units
Labor and Delivery
Newborn Units
Research, Transplant, and Detoxification Units
Flight Trauma

Hospitals, medical centers, physicians' offices, medical groups, educational institutions, home care services
Extended care facilities such as nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospices
Psychiatric units
Public health services: local, state, and federal
Government institutions, armed services
Church-related mission services
International healthcare agencies
Business and industry

Gain experience through externship/internship programs.
Work or volunteer in healthcare/medical settings during summers and breaks.
Take electives in areas such as wellness, holistic health, medical ethics, and death and dying.
Develop good organizational skills and the ability to handle stress.
Plan on graduate education for positions such as clinical specialist or nurse administrator.

Home HealthCare
Public/Community Health
Rural Nursing
Occupational/Industrial Health

Public and private schools and camps
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
Daycare centers, mental health centers
Business and industry: health services centers
State and local health departments
Home healthcare agencies
Hospital outpatient departments
Senior centers
Nurse-run clinics
Social service agencies

Develop knowledge and skills in management, decision-making, mediation, teaching, counseling, speaking, and writing.
Gain experience in the ability to handle emergencies, work independently, and be flexible.
Develop expertise in first aid procedures.
Expand knowledge of health issues related to age, cultures, religions, ethics, and government policies.
Consider graduate preparation to be a nurse practitioner.

Chronic Health Conditions

Nursing homes, retirement centers, residential daycare centers
Rehabilitation centers
Hospice organizations

Plan on graduate study as a nurse practitioner or nurse specialist for advancement.
Develop patience, ability to work with both patients and families for long periods, and good listening skills.
Take additional courses in holistic health, death and dying, and medical ethics.

Practitioner
Clinician
Anesthetist
Midwife
Private Duty

Physicians, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health agencies
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
Business and industry: health services centers
Colleges and universities
Prisons
Self-employment: independent/joint practice

Plan on acquiring experience, advanced education, and certification.
Must like to work autonomously, make independent decisions, be self-directed, and detail oriented.
Master bilingual skills to increase marketability.

Health agencies including Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Civil Service, Peace Corps/VISTA
Armed services
International health agencies
Prisons

Must identify interest in medical and hospital services, research, or public health.
Plan on graduate study in teaching, research, or administration for advancement.
Become familiar with other cultures, languages, health systems and beliefs.
Be prepared for combat nursing in armed services.

Teaching
Counseling
Educational Administration

Teaching hospitals
Colleges and universities
International healthcare organizations
Wellness centers
Public schools
Community education programs

Develop patience, sensitivity to the needs of young adults as well as patients, and the ability to accept responsibility for the actions of others.
Take courses in the principles and practices of teaching.
Need advanced degrees to teach at the college and university level.
Develop skills in sales, marketing, and public speaking.

Large hospitals, medical centers
Colleges and universities
Centers for nursing research
National Institute for Nursing

Gain experience with research through supervised independent study or course projects.
Develop curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, persistence, and good speaking and writing skills.
Plan on obtaining a Ph.D.

International Health

Embassies, military bases, national or international government agencies
Private voluntary organizations
Colleges and universities
Business and industry
Church-related mission services
World Health Organization

Consider advanced education as a clinician or nurse practitioner to be more valuable.
Inquire about the need for additional preparation in religious studies or similar courses.

Marketing/Sales
Product Manager
Entrepreneur
Quality Assurance
Editor/Writer
Communications Specialist
Healthcare Administration
Patient Advocate/Representative

Hospitals/HMO's
Business and industry: pharmaceutical, medical equipment, computers, insurance
Medical/health publications
Universities
Healthcare advertising agencies
Professional associations

Plan on obtaining a minor in business or communications.
Develop strong computer skills.
Gain financial management experience.
Take classes in Social Sciences and Social Work.