RN Roles & Positions
One
of
the
most
exciting
things
about
nursing,
is
the
variety
of
places
we
work
and
the
many
different
things
we
do!
The
following
listing
is
not
exhaustive,
but
does
give
an
idea
of
the
variety
of
things
you
can
do
and
places
you
can
work
in
nursing!
Bookmark
this
page
-
we'll
be
adding
new
roles
monthly.
Advanced Practice
Educational Preparation: MSN or higher degree required. Certification preferred; in some cases required
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM))
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Educator
Educational Preparation in practice settings: BSN and certification preferred; Educational Preparation in academic settings: in Associate and Diploma programs the MSN is preferred and a BSN required; in universities and institutions of higher learning a PhD is preferred and an MSN is required
Patient Educator/Health Educator/Wellness Programs
Staff Development/Continuing Education
Specialty
Nursing
Roles
Educational Preparation: BSN or higher degree with role-specific continuing education preferred
Admission/Discharge Planner/Utilization Review
Clinical Trials
Employee Health/Occupational Health
First Assistant (certification required)
Informatics
(MSN
with
certification
preferred)
Legal
Nurse
Consultant
Quality Improvement/Continuous Improvement/Risk Management
Researcher
Telehealth
Staff
Registered
Nurse
Educational Preparation: ADN, Diploma, BSN, MSN with inservice and/or continuing education appropriate to the specialty. Certification is a possibility for some roles.
Inpatient and outpatient settings in which staff nurses may function:
Ambulatory Care
Emergency and Triage
Hospice
Intravenous
Long Term Care and Geriatrics
Medical and Surgical
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Post Anesthesia Care
Telephone
Triage/Helpline
Nursing Management
Educational Preparation: MSN or higher degree preferred; BSN required
Chief Operating Officer/Chief Executive Officer
Clinical Services Manager/Clinical Office Manager
Other
Roles
and
Positions
Educational Preparation: this category includes roles for which a nursing background can be helpful; but, for which additional education or preparation outside of nursing may be required: BSN or higher degree with appropriate continuing education preferred
Consultant
Editor/Author
Elected Officials/Policy Makers/Lobbyists
Entrepreneur
Expert Witness
Federal/Armed Services (contains many RN roles/positions)
Nurse Attorney (JD required)
Pharmaceutical/Medical Supply Sales
Professional Health/Nursing Organization Staff
Recruiter
Special
Thanks
Special thanks go to the Commission on Education and the Evolving Roles Ad Hoc Task Force of the Commission on Standards and Professional Practice of the North Carolina Nurses Association who discussed the educational preparation that was needed and developed the listing of registered professional nursing roles and positions.
As you review the list you will want to note that:
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Some registered professional nursing roles are setting specific or setting dependent, meaning that the role or position may only be fulfilled in a particular agency or on a particular unit. Other roles are setting independent, meaning that the roles can be applied in a variety of inpatient or outpatient settings.
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Many of the roles have different types of education preparation options available. Nurses may be prepared at the associate degree (two year ADN), Diploma degree (two year Diploma) or baccalaureate level (four year BSN). They may also receive formal continuing education or agency-specific in-service related to these roles. In many of the roles, a BSN or a higher degree is preferred. However, it is the agency which often sets the requirements for that role or position depending on the philosophy of administration, the available work force and economic factors.
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Some of the roles, positions or specialties require certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or various other national specialty certifying bodies. For other roles, certification is available and preferred but not required. In some other roles, certification is neither required nor available.