With nearly 2.6 million registered nurses (RN) in the U.S., the nursing profession is now the largest health care in the country. If you think that hospitals are the only place where a nurse could be found, you are certainly misled. Public health agencies, communities, ambulatory care centers and other places where health services are provided also tend to have employed nurses.

1. Nursing practice

Nursing has a wide coverage of the practice. Includes

- Child Care
- Nursing care
- Services for pregnant women
- Services for newborns
- Specialty area - injury nursing
- Specialty area - cancer nursing
- Specialty area - forensic nursing

2. Choose your nursing program

The first step to become a nurse is a graduate of a nursing program. This would allow you to take a state licensing examination. In the U.S., more than 1500 nursing programs are offered. Three of these programs help you prepare to take on different tasks upon graduation.

A. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This is a curriculum of four years are offered at colleges and universities. A graduate of this course has the advantage of learning health facilities that include leadership and management. A BSN degree is preferred and often required in many fields of nursing.

B. Associate Degree Nursing (AND)
This is a 2 to 3 years in college that offers the community as well as in junior collages. This program prepares students to manage direct patient care.

C. Hospital Diploma
This is a 2 to 3 years which is based in hospitals.

3. Nursing Positions

Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a closer look at some of the nursing positions available to them. These positions are based on your experience and education.

A. Entry level nursing position
This is the position of staff nurse. The nurse takes to make judgments based on scientific knowledge. You have to trust procedures and standardized care plans.

B. Certified Mid-wife
This is a specialty nurse position where the nurse helps women of reproductive age. Begins during the pre-conception and continues through the prenatal and birth work. Postpartum care period also includes in its functions. The nurse also provides advice on family planning and gynecological care for women.

C. Case Manager
Over time, a nurse can become a case manager. In this position, the nurse will be involved in the process of organization and coordination of resources and services of an entire group of nurses, as an entire hospital.

D. Nurse Educator
This is also a position a nurse could get involved. Educating people about the health care needs adequately and procedures would be the basic tasks for this position. A nurse practitioner on the other side conducts physical examinations of patients, make diagnoses and treatments on offer. A nurse might also write prescriptions and may also treat patients with chronic conditions such as diabetics and those with hypertension.

E. nurse anesthetist
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist support during operations. They give anesthesia to patients before and after the operation.

There are also several nursing programs in the specialty that would help you specialize in a specific area. Radiology Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, AIDS Care and Nursing Forensic Nursing are some of these areas of expertise. Radiology nurses relate to patients undergoing diagnostic radiology imaging environments. It also includes ultrasound, MRI and radiation oncology. Rehabilitation nurses and psychiatric nurses have in providing physical and emotional support for both the patient and their families. Refer to patients with mental disabilities. An AIDS Care Nurse manages the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of a patient with AIDS. A forensic nurse works in a different environment with other nurses. They work with law enforcement officials to assist in the investigation of crimes including sexual assault and accidental death. They also help in treating victims of these crimes.