Are you about to be an RN and now seeking a way to explore exciting career opportunities beyond the traditional bedside setting? Well, you’re in luck. Nursing is a dynamic field with endless possibilities for growth and specialization. This is especially true if you plan to take one of the best online bsn programs in the US.
In this blog post, we will uncover high-paying alternatives for RNs that will not only challenge your skills but also offer new avenues to make a difference in people’s lives.
Nurse Case Manager
As a nurse case manager, you’ll be at the forefront of ensuring seamless patient care from start to finish. This role is all about coordinating medical services, advocating for patients’ needs, and bridging the gap between healthcare providers and insurance companies. In this dynamic position, your responsibilities will include assessing patients’ conditions, creating individualized care plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive treatment. You’ll serve as a knowledgeable resource for patients and their families by providing education on treatment options and resources available. Being a nurse case manager means you need to maintain open lines of communication with various stakeholders involved in a patient’s care journey. From physicians to social workers to insurance adjusters, you’ll be the link that ensures everyone is on the same page regarding treatment plans, goals, and progress.
Legal Nurse Consultant
If you’re an experienced registered nurse looking for a high-paying alternative to traditional bedside nursing, consider becoming a legal nurse consultant. This unique and rewarding career path allows nurses to use their medical knowledge and expertise in the legal field. In fact, according to PayScale.com, the average salary for a legal nurse consultant reaches around $83k per year. As a legal nurse consultant, you would work closely with attorneys on cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, workers’ compensation, or other healthcare-related issues. Your role would be to review medical records and provide expert opinions regarding standards of care, causation analysis, and potential damages. In addition to reviewing documents and providing expert opinions, you may also assist with trial preparation by identifying potential witnesses or developing exhibits that illustrate complex medical concepts. Your input could greatly impact the outcome of a case and ensure that justice is served.
Infection Control Nurse
As an infection control nurse, you play a crucial role in keeping patients and healthcare workers safe from infectious diseases. Your expertise lies in identifying potential risks, implementing preventive measures, and managing outbreaks effectively. You work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that proper hand hygiene protocols are followed, personal protective equipment is used correctly, and environmental cleaning standards are maintained rigorously. Education is also a key aspect of your role – you provide training sessions to staff members on infection prevention techniques.
Public Health Nurse
Being a public health nurse is an exciting and fulfilling alternative career path for registered nurses (RNs). Public health nurses are so helpful in promoting and protecting the health of communities. They work to improve overall population health, prevent diseases, and address various healthcare challenges. Public health nurses often conduct community assessments to identify healthcare needs and gaps. This involves gathering data on different factors that can influence community well-being, such as access to healthcare services, socioeconomic status, and environmental conditions. Public health nurses also engage in health promotion activities by educating individuals and groups about disease prevention strategies.
As we have seen, there are many high-paying alternatives for registered nurses who want to explore career opportunities beyond the traditional bedside setting. Each of these roles offers unique challenges and rewards, allowing RNs to apply their skills and knowledge in new ways.