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22 Common
Types of Nurses and What They Do
Here's our list of the types of nurses in the highest demand, what they do, their average pay and the education you need to join their ranks.
Find your place in nursing
Pursuing a specialized nursing career can help you take advantage of fast-growing employment opportunities and unlock your potential for career advancement. It’s important to realize there are many different types of nursing career paths, from general practice to niche specialties like oncology.
Here's a list of several common types of nurses, including descriptions of who they are, what they do, and what you need for education to become one.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse
- Assisted living nurse
- Cardiac nurse
- Emergency room nurse
- Flight nurse
- Home health nurse
- Labor and delivery nurse
- Med-surgical nurse
- Neonatal/NICU nurse
- Nurse anesthetist
- Nurse educator
- Nurse informatics specialist
- Nurse manager
- Nurse midwife
- Nurse paramedic
- Nurse practitioner
- Oncology nurse
- Pediatric nurse
- Public health nurse
- Travel nurse
1. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work closely with registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to provide patients with basic nursing care. Many new nurses start out as an LPN to gain nursing experience before advancing their career with an associate (ASN) or bachelor’s degree (BSN).
Due to an aging population, there is a growing need for LPNs and their duties in long-term care, such as rehabilitation centers, residential treatment centers and hospice. Employment for LPNs is expected to increase by as much as 5% from 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education | Diploma in Practical Nursing (DPN) |
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Certifications | Must pass the NCLEX-PN exam |
More reading | How to Become an LPN; Average LPN Salary - How Much You Can Make; LPN vs. RN: What's the Difference? |
2. Registered nurse (RN)
Registered nurses (RNs) play a central role in helping healthcare organizations provide quality care to a diverse and growing patient population. In general, RN positions are expected to grow by as much as 6% from 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
BSN-prepared nurses are the most sought-after RNs in the job market and can advance to leadership and management roles more quickly than the ASN nurse.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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Certifications | Must pass the NCLEX-RN exam |
More reading | How to Become an RN; How Long It Takes to Become an RN; How Much an RN Makes; Choosing ADN vs. BSN: What You Need to Know; How to Go from CNA to RN |
3. Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse
An aesthetic or cosmetic nurse specializes in providing non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Their duties may include administering Botox and fillers, performing chemical peels, laser hair removal, and other aesthetic procedures. They also educate patients about the benefits and risks of these treatments.
Cosmetic nurses often work with dermatologists in private practices, hospitals, dermatology offices, and medical spas also known as “medispas.”
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse |
4. Assisted living nurse
An assisted living nurse provides healthcare services to residents in assisted living facilities. Their duties may include administering medications, monitoring vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, educating residents and their families about health conditions, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers.
Assisted living nurses often work in a less-intensive environment than hospitals, but they still play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of residents.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become an Assisted Living Nurse |
5. Cardiac nurse
A cardiac nurse specializes in caring for patients with heart conditions, such as heart disease or arrhythmia. Their duties include monitoring patients' vital signs, administering medications, assisting with procedures such as cardiac catheterizations and electrocardiograms, educating patients about heart health, and providing emotional support to patients and their families.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become a Cardiac Nurse |
6. Emergency room nurse
Emergency room nurses nurses provide urgent care to patients in hospitals suffering from sometimes life-threatening injuries or illnesses. ER nurses often work alongside emergency medical staff and first responders, so they must have strong communication, critical thinking and collaboration skills to coordinate care and share information across these teams.
As an ER nurse, you can work in a variety of settings, from Level 1 trauma centers to rural hospitals or clinics, and across a range of nursing specialties, from trauma to pediatrics. ER nurses are registered nurses and must obtain at least an ASN.
Many ER nurses have a BSN and can go on to obtain additional certifications for specialized care, such as advanced cardiac, pediatric, and newborn life support.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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Certifications | RN; some hospitals might also require Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification |
More reading | How to Become an ER Nurse; Working as an Emergency Room (ER) Nurse |
7. Flight nurse
A flight nurse provides critical care medical services aboard an aircraft. Their duties include assessing and stabilizing patients, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and coordinating patient care with ground-based medical teams. Flight nurses work in a variety of settings, including medical evacuation flights, organ transport, and disaster relief.
Flight nurses work in very fast-paced situations where patients may be in critical condition or in need of urgent care. Because of this, it’s important to stay calm under pressure and make decisions quickly. It also may be beneficial to have additional training in cardiac life support and trauma-focused care.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become a Flight Nurse |
8. Home health nurse
A home health nurse provides personalized healthcare services to patients in their own homes. Their duties may include administering medications, monitoring vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, educating patients and their families about disease management, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers.
Home health nurses can take care of elderly patients with long-term illnesses, but they can also help individuals who are recovering from an accident or surgery.
As a home health nurse, you may need to be certified in specialized areas, such as wound care or oxygen therapy, depending on your patients’ needs.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become a Home Health Nurse |
9. Labor and delivery nurse
Labor and delivery nurses help pregnant women and their families throughout the birthing process. Their duties include monitoring the mother's vital signs, fetal heart rate, and contractions; assisting with the delivery; providing emotional support to the mother as well as her partner, relative, or friend who may be with her; and educating new mothers on newborn care, breastfeeding, and recovery.
In addition to technical skills, labor and delivery nurses should have the ability to remain calm and focused as tensions and discomfort may rise during labor.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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More reading | How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse |
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10. Med-surgical nurse
A med-surg nurse works on the medical/surgical floor of a hospital. Med-surg nurses must have strong time management and organizational skills, as they often care for multiple patients at a time.
They also need to be skilled communicators in order to work effectively with multiple healthcare team members, such as doctors and surgical staff.
If you like a fast-paced work environment where no two days are the same, then a career as a med-surg nurse might be a good fit for you.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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Certifications | RN |
More reading | How to Become a Surgical Nurse |
11. Neonatal/NICU nurse
A neonatal or NICU nurse specializes in caring for newborn infants who require intensive care. Their duties include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, providing respiratory and other medical support to the infant, and educating parents about caring for their premature or sick newborn.
Neonatal nurses often work with parents under significant stress worrying about their infant. It’s important that you have strong communication skills and can stay calm under pressure.
Education | BSN |
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More reading | How to Become a Neonatal Nurse |
12. Nurse anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist is a special type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who is certified and trained in administering anesthesia to patients. They can provide care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, rural and medically underserved areas and the military. They can also work in non-clinical settings as a teacher, researcher, or administrator.
Due to fast-growing employment and ample career advancement opportunities, U.S. News ranked Nurse Anesthetist #10 on its list of Best Healthcare Jobs for 2023.
Education | MSN, DNP |
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Certifications | Must pass the National Certification Exam (CNE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) |
More reading | How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); Average Salary for a Nurse Anesthetist |
13. Nurse educator
As more students seek entry to nursing degree programs, demand for skilled nurse educators is on the rise. In an academic setting, nurse educators design and implement continuing education programs for nursing students and practicing nurses.
In a hospital or other clinical setting, nurse educators help train nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. As experienced nursing professionals, nurse educators can identify opportunities to improve processes and mitigate risks to the patient, nurse and hospital.
Education | Graduate-level Nursing Education Degree Program |
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Certifications | RN |
More reading | How to Become a Nurse Educator; What Does a Nurse Educator Do?; How Much a Nurse Educator Makes; What You Can Do with an Master in Nursing Education |
14. Nurse informatics specialist
Nursing informatics is a growing field that integrates nursing science with information technology to improve systems and processes for hospitals and large medical facilities. A nursing informatics specialist serves as a vital “technology liaison” for the hospital staff, while still performing typical nursing duties.
For example, their duties include analyzing data to identify and reduce risk of medical errors, or evaluating and implementing new workflow processes to improve patient care. As a nurse informatics specialist, you are a critical team member of a hospital’s nursing and IT staff.
Education | BSN (required) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN - recommended for advanced roles) |
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Certifications | RN; some nurse informatics specialists also pursue advanced degrees in information technology or computer science. |
More reading | How Much You Can Make in Health Information Management; Health Information Management Jobs |
15. Nurse manager
Nurse managers are experienced nurse leaders who oversee a team of nurses and other healthcare staff. They help ensure positive patient outcomes and make it possible for an organization to achieve a higher standard of care.
Effective nurse managers must have a combination of strong leadership, critical thinking and communication skills to effectively manage teams and coordinate patient care. If you want to play a role in improving the standard of patient care, then a nurse manager might be the right position for you.
Education | BSN (required), MSN or DNP (recommended for advanced roles) |
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Certifications | RN |
More reading | How Great Nurses Become Nurse Leaders; How to Become a Nurse Administrator; How Much Nurse Administrators Can Make; What You Can Do with an MSN in Nursing Administration |
16. Nurse midwife
Nurse midwives are APRNs who provide prenatal, family planning and obstetric care. Often, they serve as primary caregivers for women and their newborns. They can also be involved in general wellness care for new mothers and babies, providing education on nutrition and disease prevention.
Employment for nurse midwives is expected to grow by 6% from 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average salary for a nurse midwife is $131,570 per year ($63.26 per hour).*
Education | MSN |
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Certifications | Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) |
17. Nurse paramedic
A nurse paramedic is a healthcare professional who combines the skills of a registered nurse and a paramedic. Their duties include assessing and stabilizing patients at emergency scenes, administering medications, performing procedures such as intubation and defibrillation, transporting patients to the hospital, and continuing care in the emergency department.
Nurse paramedics work in very fast-paced situations where patients are often in need of urgent, critical care. In this role, the ability to stay calm under pressure is beneficial.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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18. Nurse practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide advanced care that includes health promotion, health prevention, wellness and disease management, as well as diagnosis and treating acute, chronic, and episodic illness. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are a special type of NP that works with patients of all ages.
In some rural or medically underserved areas, NPs are increasingly becoming the front line for patient care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $128,490 - and demand for NPs is expected to grow by 45% from 2022-2032.*
Education | MSN - view our MSN programs for nurse practitioners |
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Certifications | State licensure requirements might vary |
More reading | How to Become a Nurse Practitioner; Types of Nurse Practitioners; Going from Non-Nurse to Nurse Practitioner; How to Go from RN to Nurse Practitioner (NP) |
19. Oncology nurse
Oncology nurses are involved in many aspects of cancer diagnoses and treatment, from early detection to symptom management. They most often work in hospitals, but they can also be employed by home care organizations, specialty medical centers and ambulatory centers.
While cancer affects individuals of all ages, 69 percent of new cases are diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 55 and 84, according to the National Cancer Institute. As the baby boomer generation ages and the pool of older cancer patients increases, oncology nurses will become an even more important part of the healthcare workforce.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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Certifications | RN and Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) |
More reading | How to Become an Oncology Nurse; A Day in the Life of an Oncology Nurse |
20. Pediatric nurse
A pediatric nurse specializes in caring for children of all ages, from infants to adolescents. Their duties include assessing and monitoring children's health, performing exams, administering medications, providing education on wellness and disease prevention, and supporting children and their families during illness or hospitalization.
Pediatric nurses may focus on primary care, which includes prevention and wellness, or acute care, which includes treating patients for severe injuries or illnesses, or helping them recover from surgery.
Education | BSN |
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More reading | How to Become a Pediatric Nurse |
21. Public health nurse
Becoming a public health nurse can be a great way to transition away from a bedside role but continue making an impact in nursing. Public health nurses assess, evaluate, and implement interventions to improve healthcare systems and policies.
Public health nursing encompasses a wide variety of potential roles and responsibilities. You may get started in the field by pursuing a job as an occupational nurse, maternal and child health nurse, or school nurse. Advance your education to the master’s or doctorate level and you can potentially qualify for leadership, management, or directorial positions.
Education | Undergraduate nursing degree for many types of entry-level positions; graduate-level public health nursing program for leadership positions (MSN, DNP) |
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More reading | How to Become a Public Health Nurse; What Does a Public Health Nurse Do?; Types of Public Health Nurses |
22. Travel nurse
Travel nurses are registered nurses who help hospitals and healthcare organizations fill workforce gaps. For example, travel nurses might fill in for nurses who are on maternity or sick leave, or they could be called to another country to help deal with an emergency situation like a national disaster.
If you want to help others and see the world at the same time, then a career as a travel nurse could be right for you.
Education | ASN (required) or BSN (recommended) |
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Certifications | RN |
More reading | How to Become a Travel Nurse |
How many types of different nurses are there? Are there more?
The ebb and flow of the market dictates what kinds of nurses are most hotly recruited, and these are the common types of nursing roles you might pursue if you’re after the biggest opportunities on the job market.
But there are certainly more, with unique expectations for educational requirements and everyday duties and differing pay. Their uniforms may look the same, but their job descriptions are anything but uniform. Different kinds of nurses have all sorts of unique specialties and capabilities based on training and certification.
Take our personality quiz to find out what kind of nursing specialty is perfect for you.
Job market insights and information is developed and provided by Lightcast. Herzing University makes no representations or guarantees that graduation from its programs will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth. For information regarding student outcomes, please visit our Consumer Disclosures page. For support with career resources, please contact us by phone at (866) 208-3344 or email at careerdevelopment@airllevant.com.
What are the levels of nursing education?
Depending on your career goals, you may need to earn your way through a few levels of nursing education. Read more about the different types of nursing degrees and how Herzing University can help you carve a unique path in your nursing career.
No matter what type of nursing you want to pursue, the most important factors in your success are 1) getting the right education and degree 2) obtaining the required certifications 3) developing the soft-skills to become a must-hire to prospective employers. Herzing University’s nursing degree programs are your launching pad to a new career in nursing.
Learn More About Our Nursing Programs
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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Herzing University nursing programs are available online and at 11 ground campus locations, each offering extensive student resources and support as you pursue your nursing degree. Program availability varies by campus location and state eligibility.
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Nursing programs
Palisades Office Park, Building B, 5th Floor
5901 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Herzing University - Birmingham
Nursing programs
280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
Herzing University - Brookfield
Nursing programs
15895 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
Herzing University - Nashville
Nursing programs
100 Centerview Dr., Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37214
Herzing University - New Orleans
Nursing programs
3900 North Causeway Blvd Suite 800
Metairie, LA 70002
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