Nursing
What Can You Do With A Major In Nursing?
Registered nurses work to promote health, prevent diseases and help patients cope with illness. Registered nurses, regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients' family members. RNs record patients' medical histories and symptoms help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs may also teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, explaining post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy.
Nurses must graduate from a nursing program to obtain licensure. To gain promotion, it would be advisable to pursue a master's degree in Nursing. Nursing is the largest health profession in the nation.
Tracks
Prelicensure - This track is for first-time nursing students (college juniors and above) who want to prepare for a career in nursing while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Upon graduation from the program, students will sit for the NCLEX licensing exam for RNs. Furthermore, the curriculum also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in nursing. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Prelicensure Accelerated- This track is for those already holding a baccalaureate degree in another field of study who want to prepare for a career in nursing while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The Accelerated Prelicensure track is concentrated and can be completed in 3 ½ consecutive semesters of full-time study, beginning with the summer term. Upon graduation from the program, students will sit for the NCLEX licensing exam for RNs. This track is not designed for those who will not possess a baccalaureate degree before entering. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
Graduate Program Tracks
- Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Post-MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthetist
Career Paths
With Bachelor's Degree
- Community Health Nurse
- Emergency Nurse
- Home Health Care
- Community Health Nurse Emergency Nurse Home Health Care
With Master's Degree
- Critical Care Nurse
- Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Health Policy Nurse
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Educator
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
General Career Directions
- Neonatal Care
- Pediatric Care
- Geriatric Care
- Forensic Nurse
- Infection Control
- Nurse Educator
- Genetic Counselor
- Home Health Care
- Emergency Care
- Holistic Care
- Surgical Care
- Transplants
- Addiction
- Rehabilitation
- School/University Care
Some Related Career Titles
(To research these titles and more go to: Occupational Outlook Handbook and see the related print resources in the Career Services Library.
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Occupational Health Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Emergency Nurse
- Home Health Care
- Hospice Nurses
- Legal Nurse Consultant
- Neonatal Nurse
- Nurse Supervisor
- Nursing Instructor
- Oncology Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Transplant Coordinator
- Nurse Researcher
Typical Employers/Work Settings
- Hospitals
- Clinic
- Retirement Community
- University/Schools
- Private Practices
- Medical Centers
- Medical Schools
- Operating Room
- Worksites
- Navy/Army
- Nursing Home
- Home Health Care
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Medical Centers
- Community Agencies
Beginning Salary Range
Entry Level with a Bachelor's Degree: $55,000- From the Spring 2008 NACE Salary Survey (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Links To Professional Associations
Professional Associations are important to explore because many offer student memberships and can give you access to other professionals and their experiences, research, convention or workshop opportunities, professional development and most importantly job databases.
Job Search/Career Information
Local Organizations or Databases
https://www.liquidcompass.com/institutions/unfnursing
Liquid Compass has built the largest and most accurate database of healthcare job openings anywhere
- https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/
- https://www.nursingschool.com/ - Guide to nursing degrees and careers
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/- Free A-Z guide on exploring nursing as a career
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/interviews -15+ interviews from industry leaders and experienced professionals
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/careers -Career In Nursing overview
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/salary -Nursing salary, outlook, and cost of living in each state
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/jobs- Nursing jobs board
National Organizations or Databases
- https://www.nursingjobs.org/
- https://www.nurserecruiter.com/
- https://www.rnwanted.com/
- http://www.lpnjobshelp.com/
- https://www.cnaclasses.org/ and https://www.cnaclasses.org/cna-career-information/ - information for people considering a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant
- https://nursingdegreeguide.com/specialty/nurse-educator/ -alternative career paths for Education professionals interested in career in nursing
- http://all50medical.com/- free healthcare career resource specializing in allied health and traveling nurse careers and job opportunities
- https://www.TravelNursing.org- free career resource for nurses researching career opportunities and search for positions in the exciting field of travel nursing.
- https://www.nursingschool411.com/florida
- https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/nurse/registered-nurse - an in-depth guide to Registered nurse careers and degree program opportunities.
Graduate Schools
Local Programs - Master of Science in Nursing
- University of North Florida
- Florida A&M
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of Tampa
- University of West Florid
Other resources for graduate program research
https://www.princetonreview.com/
Masters In Nursing Programs - Listing of 2100+ accredited Masters programs
Second Degree Nursing Programs-Accelerated nursing programs
https://www.bestnursingmasters.com/
https://nursinglicensemap.com-- State by State buide to nursing licensure
https://nursingdegreeguide.com/psych/- for psychology majors interested in nursing as a career option
Test Preparation
The Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Holland Codes
Nursing- Social; Investigative; Realistic (SIR)