Nursing careers beyond the bedside: Discovering the possibilities of Advanced Nursing Practice

When they hear the word “nurse”, many people think of a woman dressed in a white uniform caring for patients at their bedside. This is how the profession has been traditionally portrayed on TV shows and in movies and books, and many individuals believe that bedside care is the only focus of the nursing profession. 

In the past, the role of a nurse might have been limited to caring for ill patients in hospitals. However, with rapid advancements in the field of healthcare and nursing specifically, the roles and responsibilities of a nurse today extend far beyond this specific type of patient care. Modern nurses are involved in every sector of a healthcare organization. 

Although nurses may assist doctors in crucial aspects of patient care, they are no longer considered merely a doctor’s assistant. Nurses with an interest in subjects such as business, management, public health, or education can explore job opportunities in these fields as well. 

Moreover, much like physicians, nurses can specialize in a specific medical field and provide specialized care to patients. Here is a look at some of the many possible career paths an Advanced Nurse Practitioner can pursue in addition to providing high-quality bedside care for patients. 

What is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)?

Registered nurses who have undergone further education and training to be able to medically evaluate, diagnose, refer and treat patients who come with unidentified or undifferentiated diseases are known as advanced nurse practitioners. ANPs complete a Master’s-level degree, after which they become highly trained healthcare professionals who can conduct sophisticated patient evaluations. 

They may determine a patient’s status based on their symptoms; treat minor illnesses, infections, and injuries; and write prescriptions for medicine as necessary. They frequently handle more complex issues as well, such as those brought up by patients who have chronic illnesses like COPD and diabetes. 

For registered nurses to pursue a unique and unconventional career in the field of nursing, they generally need a Master’s degree in the field of their interest (such as nursing management, nurse accountant or forensic nursing), after which they can practice. However, an ANP’s qualification gives them the advantage of practicing autonomously and allows them to deviate from conventional bedside patient care if they obtain specializations after they have completed their Master’s-level studies. 

However, this is not a terminal degree for nurses in the field of education. Nurses who wish to study further can pursue a PhD. or Ed.D. degree to complete their education. Here, it is important to specify the difference between EdD and PhD degrees. An Ed.D. degree, such as that provided by Rockhurst University, is an option for nurses who wish to pursue a career in nursing education and leadership-based roles, while a Ph.D. degree is for nurses who want to focus on research-based professions. 

8 Advanced Nurse Practitioner Career Options Beyond the Bedside 

Here is a look at some of the top advanced nurse practitioner careers you can pursue beyond the bedside.

Forensic Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner who focuses on aiding trauma patients is known as a forensic nurse. These may be individuals who were inadvertently or deliberately victimized by violent crimes. Sometimes forensic nurses also care for the injured or unwell perpetrators of violent crimes. Even though a forensic nurse’s job is essentially medical, they must also be knowledgeable about the law. Sometimes forensic nurses are asked to gather or present medical evidence in a judicial setting or as a consultant.

Nurses who are sharp, detail-oriented and interested in criminal investigations can also pursue a career as forensic nurses. Forensic nurses are very meticulous and like addressing problems via investigation. They work in several different settings, including hospitals, mental facilities, violence prevention initiatives, coroners’ and medical examiners’ offices, prisons and areas affected by natural catastrophes.

You will be responsible for evaluating, screening, treating and gathering forensic evidence from victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault. Additionally, you may be required to provide courtroom testimony on the data gathered on patients’ medical histories.

The average salary for a forensic nurse practitioner in the US is $98,128 per year as of February 2023. This works out to be around $47.18 per hour. It is crucial to note that this is merely the average compensation and that forensic nurse practitioners’ real earnings may differ depending on the state in which they practice.

Clinical Research Nurse

Some nurse professionals enjoy research and want to help bring constant developments in the field of medicine. According to the National Institutes of Health, clinical research nurses mainly operate in specialized clinical research settings, where they act as a point of contact for both researchers and patient volunteers. Their main duty is to make sure that patients are handled safely and ethically throughout the study procedure. 

Clinical research nurses are charged with a variety of important duties to achieve this aim, including:

• Keeping an eye on safety issues: Patient safety measures are strictly adhered to in clinical research programs. Clinical research nurses monitor adherence to these guidelines.
• Coordinating permission: Clinical research nurses must also communicate with patients, explain their role in the study, and get their permission before administering any therapies or collecting any personal data.
• Gathering data: Nurses may be crucial in gathering patient information, such as vital signs, before and after therapies are given to gauge the treatment’s effectiveness.

Clinical research nurses’ work has a broad potential for influence. Their participation allows for the development of novel pharmacological interventions with a comprehensive understanding of how such medications affect patient safety and well-being. The development of novel therapeutic techniques and precautionary strategies is also aided by clinical research nurses.

Clinical Research Nurse Practitioners in the United States earn an average salary of $93,345 per year as of February 2023. This works out to around $44.88 per hour. 

Nurse Administrator

High-level professionals known as nurse administrators serve in hospitals and other healthcare systems, overseeing and managing nursing staff and developing and managing clinical programs for the entire company. Nurse administrators can take on the role of chief executive, even if they occasionally report to the CEO of their hospital.

It is both financially and professionally beneficial to work as a nurse administrator. Hospital employees typically make high average incomes and have access to director-level and higher jobs. They can have an impact on patients and medical personnel by exchanging hands-on treatment for paperwork and meetings.

Depending on the size and organizational setup of the facility where they work, a nurse administrator’s duties may vary, but they generally include:

• Managing all nursing staff members’ daily activities.
• Arranging finances and planning a budget.
• Constructing operational plans based on their management competence as well as their clinical experience and expertise.

Although they are no longer directly involved in patient care, they draw on their prior knowledge to make decisions regarding everything from hiring new employees and inpatient care procedures to policy and performance objectives.

A career as a nurse administrator can be financially rewarding. Nurse administrators, who are classified as Medical and Health Services Managers by the BLS, make an average yearly compensation of $101,340.

Nurse Manager

Although it comes with a lot of responsibility, working as a nurse manager may be quite gratifying. Comparable to a nurse administrator, a nurse manager’s position might involve different tasks based on the hospital or clinic that employs them.

Typically, advanced practice registered nurses with at least a Master’s degree work as nurse managers. They are sometimes also regarded as nurse administrators and are responsible for managing and supervising the nursing personnel in healthcare facilities. 

Nurse managers assist in developing policies for the unit, schedule staff members, and conduct yearly performance reviews. They are certified registered nurses who have a solid clinical nursing experience in addition to postgraduate nursing degrees.

Additional duties of nurse managers include:

• Work alongside medical personnel
• Create educational strategies
• Act as a point of contact for hospital staff and management
• Manage the disciplinary process
• Contribute to the healthcare facility’s purpose
• Boost patient care delivery efficiency and quality
• Interview and hire new nurses
• Control unit spending
• Observe daily activities
• Maintain the unit timetable
• Appoint new workers
• Educate aspiring nurses and other medical personnel

Most of a nurse manager’s work is done in an office environment, separate from the medical unit. They participate in hospital committees, assist with new hires, and attend administrative meetings. A nurse manager may be employed by a hospital, urgent care facility, medical practice, home health agency or nursing home. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for managers of medical and health services is $101,340 as of May 2021, although local economic situations differ. The bottom 10% received below $60,780, while the top 10% made more than $205,620. It is essential to remember that this varies based on the environment. The greatest average compensation is for general surgical and medical hospitals, which is $119,450, while the lowest average pay is for home health care services, which is $83,550.

Family Nurse Practitioner

By assisting individuals in need of medical care and providing health-related information, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a significant role in the healthcare industry. Medical nurse practitioners collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to offer healthcare services for wounded, ill, high-risk patients, and healthy people, helping to manage the busy patient loads in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. The role of the FNP is becoming increasingly important as people in some parts of the nation struggle to receive care and treatment.

FNPs provide primary healthcare to patients of all ages, including the very young and the very old. They assess patients, check for signs and symptoms of illness, provide medications, and recommend appropriate diagnostic tests to enhance a patient’s overall health. Everybody receives treatment from family nurse practitioners, including the healthy, unwell, and those suffering from viral and bacterial infections, high cholesterol, hypertension, high blood sugar, and other chronic conditions. These medical professionals, however, do not treat individuals who are gravely ill.

The typical duties of an FNP may include: 

• Observing the medical history of the patient.
• Examining and assessing the patient’s vital signs and symptoms.
• Analyzing the findings of the diagnostic test report for the patient.
• Examining the patient’s physical and psychological health.
• Creating and carrying out therapeutic interventions.
• Observing how the condition evolves and how well treatments are working.
• Dispensing medication.
• Encouraging a balanced diet, wholesome lifestyle decisions, and frequent exercise.
• Sending patients to qualified medical personnel.
• Working together with patients’ families and carers.

The annual salary in this field is another major plus point for aspiring Family Nurse Practitioners, with the yearly pay for nurse practitioners (NPs) currently averaging $120,680.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner who focuses on providing care for children from infancy through young adulthood is known as a pediatric nurse practitioner. In other words, a PNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with a focus on providing care for newborns, young children, babies, toddlers, adolescents and young adults. APRNs who enjoy being around children and are skilled at handling pediatric patients can pursue a career in this field. These professionals emphasize primary care, preventative health, growth, and development, as well as the treatment of acute and chronic disorders. 

As nurses first and foremost, pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) place a high priority on providing patients with comprehensive care. Physician supervision may or may not be necessary, depending on the state in which they operate. Primary care certified PNPs who work full-time earn a typical total annual compensation of $110,000, which includes base pay, incentive payments and productivity bonuses.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)

An emergency department nurse practitioner (ENP) profession may be the best choice for you if you want a fast-paced job that allows you to work with a variety of patients and problems. ENPs are specialty healthcare professionals who work in emergency rooms or urgent care centers, which are acute care environments. They are adept at identifying and managing primary care requirements, diseases, injuries, and trauma in kids, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

An APRN who treats patients in emergency rooms or urgent care centers is known as an emergency room (ER) nurse practitioner (NP). Any patient, from infants and toddlers through adults and the elderly, must be able to be evaluated, diagnosed and treated by an ER nurse practitioner. An ER nurse practitioner may offer general care services due to the vast variety of patients and ailments that ER departments see, but they also have to be prepared to handle injuries, trauma and life-threatening crises.

The position of an emergency nurse practitioner may be ideal for you if you perform well under pressure. At a moment’s notice, you must be nimble on your feet and ready to offer urgent care that can save lives. ER NPs are permitted to operate independently in several states. Emergency nurse practitioners typically make an average of $114,000 a year in the United States.

Oncology Nurse Practitioner

To help cancer patients with their treatment, an oncology nurse practitioner works collaboratively with doctors, surgeons and families. They are essential for inpatient evaluation, education and care coordination. They also offer support to patients and carers throughout treatment and afterward.

The job of an oncology NP will change as more information about the disease becomes accessible, but at its foundation, the profession will continue to be patient-centered. It takes a lot of work to become an oncology nurse practitioner, but once you do, you may actively look for jobs in this crucial field of clinical practice.

Oncology Nurse Practitioners are drawn to the field for a variety of reasons. For some people, learning about the work came through a firsthand encounter with a cancer patient. Others might be attracted to the industry because they have empathy and compassion. If you have a lot of ambition, you might be inspired to work as an oncology nurse practitioner because of the difference you can make in a sector that is not only important but also evolving all the time in terms of research, medications, treatments and therapy.

Among their various duties, oncology nurse practitioners must help patients psychologically in addition to physically. This job may be a good match for you if you feel confident doing this and teaching patients and their loved ones about their illness.

Oncology nurse practitioners can practice in a range of settings, including cancer treatment facilities, hospitals, doctors’ offices and even patients’ homes. Finding a graduate NP school that is accredited will provide you with the cancer clinical and didactic training you need to succeed in your professional aspirations.

Although there isn’t a specific salary listed for an oncology NP, the BLS does provide compensation and employment outlook reports for nurses. In 2020, nurse practitioners made an average of $111,680 per year. Pay varies depending on the company, region, years of experience, specialty and a wide range of other variables. For example, a pediatric oncology NP’s yearly compensation will be different compared to an oncology nurse.

The bottom line

There are many rewarding career paths within nursing, and not all of them require you to remain at the bedside of patients. If you are interested in helping others, you should be able to find a nursing role that suits your skills and interests.