When people think of RN jobs, they usually think of hospitals and caring for patients at the bedside. The face of the registered nurse is changing due to the many different and unconventional opportunities in the health care field. Right now, the nursing shortage is at a critical level in the U.S. The nursing shortage is not expected to to decrease any time soon due to the fact that people are living longer and also because the nurses themselves are starting to age and retire. Currently, employment opportunities for registered nurses is excellent and will continue to be as schools of nursing are struggling to graduate enough competently trained nurses.
Because of the nursing shortage, the salary of the registered nurse is expected to rise. In addition to employment opportunities in the hospital, more unconventional jobs for RN’s have also become plentiful. A very popular career choice for the RN is that of the travel nurse. When the travel nurse job opportunity arose many years ago, travel nurses chose employment in warm weather states such as Florida, California and Arizona. This provided the RN with lucrative salary and benefit packages, as well as a vacation like environment in which to live and work.
The travel nurse is able to reap the benefits of a lucrative salary, performing patient care and seeing the world. Many health care and medical staffing agencies specialize in the placement of travel nurses, and can offer the prospective travel nurse many options in their career endeavor.
Other unconventional RN jobs that the nurse may be interested in is that of an MDS Coordinator. MDS stands for Minimum Data Set, and is exclusive to the long term care industry. The MDS Coordinator position is an administrative one that involves the completion of resident assessments and developing care plans based on the findings of these assessments. This position involves training and computer skills, however, the nurse that has clinical experience and great assessment skills might fare well as an MDS Coordinator. Nursing homes and hospitals with extended care skilled units are where the need for the coordinators exists.
Insurance companies are always looking for the skilled registered nurse as are utilization review departments at most hospitals. Dentists sometimes employ RN’s as well. These positions are commonly offered at oral surgeon’s offices as opposed to the general family practice dentist. The registered nurse at at the oral surgeon’s office assists with monitoring the patient who is receiving anesthesia for a dental procedure and other clinical skills.
