Nursing is more than a job—it’s a calling where compassion meets action. Every day brings the chance to make a lasting impact on patient care. From providing life-saving measures at the bedside to shaping the future of a patient’s life, nursing offers a world of dynamic opportunities. Whether your passion lies in patient advocacy, leadership or advanced practice, this ever-evolving profession empowers you to transform lives—including your own.

Nursing isn’t a one-size-fits-all profession. It offers diverse roles and specializations to match individual passions and career aspirations. From earning a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate to pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an advanced degree, each educational step opens doors to higher-level and more specialized nursing positions. Choosing the right path begins with understanding the various opportunities in this dynamic and rewarding field.

Nursing education

A career in nursing encompasses many unique specialties and educational requirements. On the StaffDNA® app alone, nurses can choose from ten professions and over 300 unique specialties, with more being added constantly. With so many options, it’s important to understand that each requires a unique skill set and educational background to be successful.

• Certified nursing assistant (CNA): CNAs work in hospitals and long-term care units and focus on patient care needs such as checking vitals and assisting patients with daily tasks. Depending on where you live, education and certification requirements to become a CNA can vary. Typically, you need to pass a state-approved training program as well as a competency exam. Depending on the state you live in, you can be as young as 16 with just a high-school diploma or GED equivalent in terms of education to take on this profession.
• Licensed practical nurse/ Licensed vocational nurse (LPN/ LVN): LPNs and LVNs are responsible for providing routine care to patients, assisting doctors and RNs and communicating with patients and their families. LVN is used in California and Texas, while LPN is used in other states. Educational requirements include earning a high-school diploma or GED equivalent, graduating from an accredited program at a community college or vocational school and then passing the NCLEX-PN.
  • Long-term care LPNs: Long-term care LPNs provide comprehensive support to patients in long-term settings. Those looking to get into this specialty can obtain a Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC) and will also need to obtain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Med-Surg LPN: Med-surg LPNs provide direct patient care, administer medications and monitor the conditions of the patient. Passing the NCLEX-PN as well as obtaining your BLS is what is needed for this specialty.

• Registered nurse (RN): RNs work collaboratively with physicians to assist in treating patients. They are responsible for starting IVs, administering medications and managing the care of patients throughout their healing process. Educational requirements include obtaining either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree of science in nursing (BSN). At the end of your education, you will be eligible to take your state board exam known as the NCLEX-RN.
  • ICU nurse: One popular specialty is an ICU RN, otherwise known as an intensive care unit nurse. Responsibilities include administering medications, evaluating vitals and identifying patients’ ongoing needs. For education, along with the above, ICU nurses will also need to obtain a Certification for Adult Critical Care Nurses (CCRN), awarded by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. To be eligible for this exam one must practice in direct care for 1,750 hours during the previous two years (with 875 of those being accrued in the most recent year.)
  • Med-Surg nurse: Medical surgical nursing is among the largest nursing specialties in America. They provide 24-hour care to patients during their hospital stay and work with ancillary specialties to coordinate care. After obtaining an ADN or a BSN, you need one year of experience, followed by passing the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification (MEDSURG-BC™) exam.

• Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN): APRNs conduct comprehensive patient assessments, diagnose conditions and prescribe medications among other responsibilities. To become an APRN, such as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse midwife, you will need to obtain a graduate-level degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Afterward, you will be eligible to take your board exam based on your advanced specialty.
  • Family nurse practitioner: This popular specialty provides advanced primary and preventative care to patients of all ages. After obtaining a graduate-level degree, you will need to pass the FNP exam offered by either the AANP or the ANCC.
  • Urgent care nurse practitioner: This specialty provides rapid care to patients of all ages. While most are also licensed as family nurse practitioners, the AANP offers a certificate specifically for urgent care nurse practitioners.

Top 10 U.S. cities for nursing jobs

The demand for all types of nurses is prevalent across the country. However, each region offers its own benefits based on salary, job availability and lifestyle.

• San Francisco, CA – Nurses can make upwards of $180,000 a year or more than $87 an hour in the Golden City. While the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, the benefits such as the public transit system, walkable neighborhoods and amenities still make San Francisco the best place for nurses to work. The city has great sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, easy access to beaches and a lively nightlife scene. There’s plenty for nurses to enjoy at any stage of their career.
• San Jose, CA – San Jose, otherwise known as the Capital of Silicon Valley, offers many of the same perks as San Francisco. A high wage that approaches $180,000 a year on average, attractions such as museums and a great food scene, along with a Mediterranean climate. Public transportation is solid, allowing you to save money on a car, but the cost of living is just as high as the Golden City (114.5% more expensive than the national average.)
• Boston, MA – Boston is a city rich in American history, but also home to some of the most well-known medical institutions. The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital offer nurses state-of-the-art technologies and learning opportunities. Also located in Boston are Harvard University, MIT and Cambridge allowing younger nurses an opportunity to learn at some of the nation’s best schools. While the cost of living is high (83.3 cost-of-living index) an average salary of just north of $100,000 can make up for the high cost of living in the city.
• New York, NY – New York is the most expensive city to live in America. However, the city that never sleeps always has something to do. Museums, famous musicians coming and going, Broadway, Michelin-starred restaurants, you will never be bored in New York City. Additionally, nurses have several career opportunities with diverse hospitals and healthcare facilities to work at. An average nursing salary of nearly $110,000 a year makes moving to this exciting city tempting.
• Phoenix, AZ – With an average salary of over $89,000 and a cost-of-living index of just 65.1, Phoenix is one of the best bang-for-your-buck cities in the nation for nurses. Home to three of the biggest retirement communities in America, the city allows nurses to dive into unique specialties such as geriatrics or hospice nursing. While average temperatures in the summer months can be high, Phoenix offers nurses the ability to explore the many outdoor amenities of the city such as outdoor malls and plenty of unique golf courses.
• Baltimore, MD – Baltimore is among the fastest-growing large economies in America since the COVID-19 pandemic. Baltimore is also home to Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the best nursing schools in America. Although the city is relatively expensive, it’s far cheaper than other major cities like San Francisco or New York. Additionally, nurses can make six figures as Indeed reports that nurses on average make over $54 an hour. The city offers its population a rich history, an incredible seafood scene, a beautiful waterfront and easy access to the nation’s capital.
• Honolulu, HI – If you land a job in Honolulu, you’re likely to keep it as the city has one of the highest nurse retention rates in America. This is due to the location as well as the salary which can reach as much as $120,000 a year. Additionally, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is investing millions of dollars in new healthcare facilities, giving nurses the option to work at premier institutions. Amenities include beaches and resorts galore, botanical gardens and museums everywhere you look.
• Portland, OR – With an average salary of $116,850 and a cost-of-living index of just 73.1, this city provides nurses with a great cost-of-living-to-income ratio. Portland is also home to the Provident Portland Medical Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, two of the nation’s top facilities. The northwest paradise is also home to stunning parks and gardens, as well as the Portland Saturday Market which is a popular fresh food market that has been running since 1974.
• Seattle, WA – The Emerald City offers nurses a lot of the same perks as Portland, but a slightly lower wage (just under $110,000 a year) and higher cost of living. Nurse practitioners are offered full practice authority giving them more career options. Seattle is also home to iconic attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the first-ever Starbucks.
• Philadelphia, PA – Nurses involved in pediatrics will love Philadelphia as it is home to one of the country’s largest and most recognized children’s hospitals. Nurses in Philadelphia can easily earn over $100,000 a year while the city offers a relatively lower cost-of-living index relative to other major metropolitan areas. The city of brotherly love has many historic monuments (Liberty Bell and Independence Hall) while also offering its population plenty of attractions from museums, parks and sports teams in all 4 major American sports.

Nursing job contracts

On top of there being a wide range of variance in nursing specialties, there are also different contract types that offer flexibility and competitive pay rates. Each contract has different levels of stability or adventure as well as pay rates to consider when searching for your first or next nursing job.

• Contract-to-hire nurse jobs: Contract-to-hire contracts allow nurses to experience a temporary position that has the potential to become a permanent one. Contract-to-hire nursing professionals can usually make up to 20% more than staff nurses as typically benefits aren’t covered during the initial phase.
• Per diem nurse jobs: Per diem nurses work short-term, flexible shifts that fill staffing needs quickly. These contracts cover the hours of a shift, which is usually between 8 to 12 hours. On average, per diem nurses can make anywhere between $9 to $30 more an hour than staff or local nurses.However,these roles offer inconsistent availability and are not as reliable as other nursing contracts.
• Permanent nurse jobs: These are full-time roles that offer traditional long-term stability. The average annual salary for an RN is $86,070 or just under $41.50 per hour.
• Travel nurse jobs: Agency travel nurse contracts allow nurses to work on a temporary basis through a staffing agency. The average duration of a travel nurse contract is 13 weeks. However, lengths can vary anywhere between one to two years, some even longer. The average annual salary for these travel nurses is a little north of $100,000 or $49/hr. The biggest perk is that travel nurses can work anywhere in the country. It’s a more adventurous position with competitive pay.

Your dream job is just a click away

The nursing field is expected to add nearly 200,000 openings for RNs alone, each year, until 2033. With flexible work assignments, unique opportunities and tons of specialties and contracts to choose from, nursing has proved to be a rewarding career for those who have taken the leap that is unmatched in terms of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Nursing isn’t just a job, but a dynamic career that allows flexibility, competitive salaries and a significant impact on communities in need. Whether you prefer travel contracts, per diem flexibility or permanent stability, there are countless opportunities to build a rewarding career. It’s never been easier to find the right jobs with innovative technology from StaffDNA Explore nursing roles available today with StaffDNA to find your perfect fit.