When many people think of a nurse the same old mental picture pops into their mind – a nurse in a white uniform with white shoes in a hospital. Period. Is that it? Obviously not! For anyone considering a nursing career, or any nurse considering a change in career path, we've come up with a list of some of the top nursing careers to consider. In general, most nursing careers do require a degree as a Registered Nurse. Beyond this degree, the opportunities for specialization and pursuing more advanced nursing degrees are almost endless. (http://www.nurse.com/ )

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Careers

An APRN is someone who has fulfilled the requirements to be a Registered Nurse, and then has continued to earn their Master's degree. This includes Clinical Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Practitioners. (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/hhr/nurses/nurs_types.html)

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

CRNAs work in operating rooms assisting anesthesiologists administer anesthesia. While there isn't the dynamic patient-nurse interaction that some other nursing careers provide, this is one nursing career that is still always interesting.

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)

This advanced career in nursing is for Registered Nurses who have earned a Master's of Science degree in Nursing (MSN). In addition, the RN has completed additional CNS certification in a specialized field, such as oncology, pediatrics, neurology, cardiology, psychiatry, infectious diseases, or one of many other fields. The CNS is an expert in diagnosing and treating illness and is a dynamic generalist with the know-how in patient care.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

NPs are everywhere and still in high demand. This mid-level health care position involves taking care of patients while under the supervision of a physician. Most NPs can do patient examinations, perform and take some tests, and do some minor procedures. Some states require physicians to sign off on all NP work, while some states allow NPs to do their job without such strict supervision, and they may even write prescriptions.

Public Health Nurse (PHN)

A PHN is a Registered Nurse who has specialized in community health, frequently working in community centers, traveling to patients' homes who may not be able to go to the hospital and working with local community health policy makers. PHNs often do all this while still working within a centralized hospital or healthcare facility.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

In the scale of nursing, LPNs have more training than CNAs, but they are not Registered Nurses. Most LPNS are responsible for taking care patient basics, such as monitoring vital statistics, giving injections, applying basic dressings, and assisting patients with everyday comforts such as dressing, bathing, and more. LPNs are in demand in many hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

Home Health Nurse (HHN)

Much like a Public Health Nurse, a Home Health Nurse works out of a main hospital or health care facility, but also provides home care services for patients at home. This may be fore patients who can't leave the house but need nursing care and for families who need someone to come into the home to help them learn how to care for their loved one in the home. An example may be an elderly patient who needs help with their medication or someone to check up on the healing of a wound or sore, but who can't make it all the way to the hospital.

Occupational Health Nurse

Most companies have health policies and for larger companies an Occupational Health Nurse is on the job. The OHN is a Registered Nurse on hand to help enforce and educate health and safety programs for employees and groups. They also prepare accident forms and reports in the case of accidents and also help assess work places for potential safety issues.

Nurse Midwife

Who doesn't love babies? Having the opportunity to guide expecting mothers through their pregnancy and to delivery and care of a baby is a gift, and Nurse Midwives have this special honor. A Nurse Midwife is a Registered Nurse with special training in midwifery. They are trained and skilled in obstetrical and gynecological care, prenatal care, delivery and after care. Nurse Midwives can continue their education to earn certification as Certified Nurse Midwives from the American College of Nurse Midwives.

Critical Care Nursing

Critical Care Nurses are Registered Nurses with special certification in critical care from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. The certification (CCRN) means that the Registered Nurse has a specialty certification in critical care. Beyond this, there are other certifications that can be pursued, such as Progressive Care (PCCN), Cardiac Medicine (CMC), and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC).

There are many other Critical Care Nursing specialties, such as Neonatal Intensive Care (Nursery ICU), Adult Intensive Care (ICU), Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU), and Adult Trauma Intensive Care.

Paralegal Nurse

A Paralegal Nurse is a Registered Nurse that also has a paralegal degree or certificate. These RNs review medical documents for lawyers and summarize them for lawyers and judges. They might also interview individuals and clients in regards to medical questions involved in lawsuits, and do research where issues of medicine and the law are combined.

Legal Nurse Consultant

A CLNC is a Registered Nurse that has earned certification as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. CLNCs help lawyers understand medical terminology, read medical records, and work through the often complicated issues in healthcare.

Flight Nurse

Ready to take your career into the sky? A Flight Nurse is a Registered Nurse with training as a Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic that is involved in what is known as aeromedical evacuation. Involved as part of the crew on helicopters and planes, the Flight Nurse is skilled in in-flight nursing, planning aeromedical evacuations, patient care, and act as a liaison between the medical crew and the operational crew of the airplane or helicopter. Flight Nurses are also prepared to begin emergency medical treatment during in-flight emergencies.

So did we miss any? These are some of the more well known nursing careers. Each one has takes Registered Nurses into specialty care fields where expertise and special training combine to create a more rewarding career.

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