Since the 1980?s, there has been a shortage of nurses in the United States. One way the government has tried to fill the gap is by hiring nurses from abroad. But instead of offering this job to foreign workers, why don?t you consider a career being one? A career in nursing is very broad. Before getting into this, it is best to understand the different types around and then deciding what you want to pursue.

Critical care nursing is one field you can get into if you can handle pressure of working with patients inside the intensive care unit or ICU. They may also find work in cardiac catheter labs, telemetry units, progressive care units, emergency departments and recovery rooms.

Lately, critical care nurses have also found there way working in clinics, home healthcare, nursing schools and outpatient surgery centers.

After working as a critical care nurse for many years, you career can move to elsewhere as you may become a nurse manager, educator or researcher. Some may even be acute care nurse practitioners or ACNP after they get a master?s or doctorate in nursing.

Those who are good with computers may pursue a career in nursing informatics. Basically, these individuals write and modify programs and assist in the training of hospital personnel who will also be using such systems. Their career may go another step forward once they develop enough skills to manage these systems instead of just being an encoder.

Those who love babies may find a work in neonatal nursing. This branch of nursing is relatively new and you may find work either in a level 1, 2 or 3 nursery.

The level 1 nursery is where healthy newborn babies are placed until it is time for them to go home. The level 2 nursery is for infants that were born prematurely and will require some care before being discharged from the hospital. The level 3 is the intensive care unit for infants which, means they need special equipment like incubators or even surgery.

Nurses who want to work with cancer patients may start their career in oncology nursing. These individuals are there to help a patient during all stages of treatment. They may even provide counseling and help those who want to prevent cancer by telling them how to avoid it.

The advanced practice of oncology nursing may even make you become an administrator, caregiver, consultant, coordinator and researcher.

Pediatric nursing is another field you can consider since you are able to work with children of different ages. Since they are prone to sicknesses, the nurse may help them further by specializing in either immunology or oncology.

Whatever field of nursing you want to pursue, you need to go to school to earn that degree. With a few years of experience and perhaps a master or a doctorate, you may soon qualify for a higher position and become a better practitioner that you were before.

Nursing is high in demand and the various positions mentioned just goes to show that there is a lot you can do to help those who are sick regardless of age or gender. Just be sure that this is something you want to get into because only those who have the passion will be able to stay in this field for a long time.

How many people actually stick with the career they started in after they graduated from college? A study shows that not many people do because they have found something later on in life that interests them. It is like shifting to another course in your sophomore or third year so if you are not happy with your job, perhaps you may find a more rewarding career as a nurse.

Nurses are high in demand in the market. This is because hospitals need more staff to help patients and also to fill the gap of nurses who have and will be reaching retirement age very soon. To become a nurse, all you have to do is go back to school and get the proper training.

For those who have forgotten or have never taken up subject?s biology or chemistry in their previous course, they are required to take them because these are prerequisites and these are also things you have to know when you are helping a patient.

You are sure to find a school that offers a nursing program regardless of where you live as there are more than 1,500 programs offered in universities and colleges. You just have to find the right one that can meet your goals and objectives. Don?t forget to find out how much it will cost and also if their program is accredited by the nursing board.

Money should not be an issue when you are thinking of a career change because the school may have a grant in aid program or offer scholarship to deserving students. If you do not qualify, see if you can get a loan or do this part time so at least you are able to pay your way through college.

The most sought after position in the healthcare system is that of the resident nurse and although it will take longer to finish, you can expect to get a return on your investment later on as the starting salary for fresh graduate?s starts at around $45,000. This amount is still much higher than what other professionals make in other occupations.

But before you can start working, one more hurdle you need to pass is the state licensure exam. This varies from state to state so if you plan to work elsewhere, you will have to take another exam.

Once you gain years of experience as a nurse, you can set your sights on higher goals that will truly bring your career to another level. After getting a masters or a doctorate degree, you can find work as a consultant for the hospital, an instructor in a school or as a researcher for a private company. This is because your expertise will help train students and do a lot of good in helping researchers find cures certain illnesses.

If you are no longer with your present job, why should you push yourself to wake up in the morning? Instead of being miserable, don?t you think you should do something about it? A change in your career for nursing or any other is a gamble because you are stepping into new territory.

You should be ready to face the challenges ahead and be open-minded to the things you will learn as this could save the life of the patient.