By 2020, the United States healthcare industry will require at least 800,000 nurses. Registered nurses work in traditional and non-traditional settings, such as homes, laboratories, hospitals and schools. The broad array of options, as listed below, has made the nursing field a promising path:

• Clinical nurses--Registered to work in defined clinical settings and also known as nurse practitioners, clinical nurses may specialize and work in different types of clinics. Thus, clinical nurses have flexible options.

In today’s job market, many nurses are deciding to work from home—a less demanding environment than the hospital, though no less challenging.

Telehealth nurses with solid experience working in acute care are in demand to provide triage and case/disease management from home. This type of nurse needs three or more years of experience as well as home office essentials (i.e., computer, Internet and phone) and strong administrative and typing skills. Insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna hire these nurses to handle case and/or disease management, as well as utilization review roles. 

Today’s nurses have the ability to work online or by phone. In high demand, many nurses are deciding to perform their jobs remotely, and this usually involves giving patient advice while using online triage software. These home-based positions are perfect for stay at home parents, students or anyone whose situation is more manageable with a work-from-home position.

First, locate a nursing job online. As you are looking for positions, scan listings for the keyword “telecommute” vs. "work from home." Always explore every opportunity and alternate avenues, i.e., health and wellness sites recruiting nurses to share medical knowledge as consultants or writers. A few examples of online opportunities include case management or medical transcription. Research these positions thoroughly, and then decide which home-based nursing job could be a good fit for you.

Often, nurses do not see there is tremendous opportunity to work from home and use their nursing skills. By being organized and staying focused on tasks, working from home can be very rewarding. There are many options, should you decide to work as a home-based nurse, including the following:

• Telephone-based nursing jobs. A telephone triage representative takes inbound calls for patients attempting to reach primary doctors. Sometimes, the call isn't urgent, but he needs medical advice. Your responsibility is to assess whether or not the patient need is an emergency.

Writing a resume is frustrating for those who do not understand how to communicate and make a lasting impression. A quality, keyword-rich resume is gold in today’s job market.

Certain principles can improve a resume, even if you do not have the experience required. A positive attitude, willingness to learn and a stable employment history are what truly matter to employers. These 10 tips will help you write a resume guaranteed to open the door to the interview:

Have you always dreamed of working from home? Are you limited by your current career? Today, home-based careers and jobs are in abundance as businesses begin to follow the work-from-home trend with employees. Opportunities are growing in home-based professions, and even nurses can now work from find home. It may be surprising, but home-based positions are open for nurses that prefer to work from home.

The following are specific examples:

Do you have an overriding desire to help others? Have you ever considered nursing as a career? If your answer is yes, you should think about a nursing career—a field comprised of many types, ranging from home-health to emergency care. The following are five intriguing nursing careers:

• Certified nurse assistant (CNA)--A CNA, also known as a nurse or health aide, helps patients manage daily tasks, including eating, bathing and dressing. Under the watchful eye of a registered nurse, CNAs work long hours interacting with patients in hospitals, private homes and nursing homes.

Job security is on everyone’s mind, and no one is immune to our struggling economy.

In the nursing profession, there is good news, even though unemployment is on the rise. Most jobs in today’s economy depend on people with an expendable income or sufficient credit to spend money not yet earned. When either well runs dry, consuming slows down. Producers also are forced to slow down, and jobs are eliminated. No matter what the product--new homes, decor, food, festivals, concerts, movies, cars, vacations or housekeeping, buyers stop the consumptive process when money is scarce.

However, what if the person who decides to reduce spending becomes ill? Then, job security in the field of nursing shines through, in spite of the economy. People always get sick, become injured and need nurses to help care for them.

Without nursing, there would not be anyone to care for patients in the absence of doctors. In the U.S., there is a lack of nurses, and the government has recruited abroad in attempts to bridge the gap. Still, there is a growing need for new nurses. Understanding the following nursing facts may inspire high school and college students to make a move toward this profession:

• New nurses earn much more than other professionals post-graduation, i.e., $45,000 a year vs. accountants at $41,000 a year.

The Web is a wonderful tool that allows instant global connections, but there are certain drawbacks. First, the Internet can be impersonal because employers and potential workers are not connected in person. In addition, e-mail has allowed us to evolve into very informal communicators. When sending a nursing job cover letter and resume via e-mail, remember the following:

• Always follow instructions. All job applications have instructions—even those via e-mail. Think of the application as your first test. If you fail to follow instructions at this stage, you are not likely to be invited to an interview.

Know your audience. Heard this before? It’s vital--whether performing or writing a letter to a stranger. The same is true when writing a nursing position cover letter, which should introduce you to the hiring manager while presenting the core reasons why you should be interviewed and hired. Be straightforward, and know your audience. Keep the following two things in mind as you write this cover letter:

For a multitude of reasons, nursing positions are the most sought-after careers--worldwide. Those wanting to advance in their career and financially should consider the field of nursing. Nurses have a lot of options, as follows:

• Nurses can specialize in an area that matches their knowledge and skills.
• The nursing profession has evolved into one of the most respected global professions. Career and financial advancement are both givens.
• The nursing demand in developing nations is high.

Nurses have always been in demand in developed countries. Labor migration for nurses from developing countries (i.e., Asia) is always high. Although a nursing career provides many benefits, the downsides are not always highlighted.

People are attracted to nursing for many reasons. Those from developing countries choose nursing to find positions in the U.S., Canada or Europe, where pay is much higher than that in their home country. One goal of prospective nurses is to earn enough money to support their families and themselves.

Others decide to pursue nursing because of the opportunity to help people. These nurses enjoy interacting with people, patients and colleagues. This bonding and satisfaction is one of the most fulfilling benefits of a nursing career.

The job interview is the dreaded part of the hiring process—for everyone. Whether you are searching for your first job, or you have solid experience, the job interview is unavoidable. Your mission is to impress your potential employer and get a job offer. Here are key things you can do to land the job of your dreams:

• Do your research. Your interview will be less stressful, and you will be more confident if you prepare in advance. Once you have set up your interview, do your research to show the interviewer that you are serious about securing the position. Visit the company’s website to learn about its mission statement, history or recent news. Your interest should be genuine. Never drop names or interrupt.

Home health care is a lucrative area within the field of nursing. Registered nurses provide healthcare and services in patient homes as geriatric nurses, community health nurses and visiting nurses. Other home health care nursing positions are as follows:

• Newborn visiting nurses--These nurses call new mothers and offer home services, including monitoring the newborn’s conditions, giving an assessment and mother/child medications.

In the United States, the healthcare industry is expanding, translating to new nursing job opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over the next 10 years, nursing employment will continue to grow at an unusually high rate.

Types of nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) complete accredited nursing training and fulfill all state licensing requirements. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) complete a one-year nursing program. RNs and LPNs work in hospitals, rehab centers, offices, schools and government agencies.