Nursing is one of the most versatile professions in healthcare. Whether you picture someone at a hospital bedside, a school clinic, or a community health center, there is a good chance a nurse is at the center of that care. But what kind of nurses are there, exactly? The answer covers a wide range of education levels, clinical environments, patient populations, and career paths.
This guide breaks down the different types of nurses and the types of nursing jobs available today, providing a clearer picture of where the profession can take you. If you are already a licensed RN looking to build on your credentials, Nevada State University offers an accessible, fully online RN to BSN program designed to help you advance your career without putting it on hold.
The Three Primary Categories of Nurses
Nursing roles are generally organized by education level and scope of practice. Understanding these three foundational categories is a good starting point for anyone exploring the different types of nurses and what each level can do.
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs)
LPNs and LVNs complete a certificate or diploma program that typically takes about one year, then pass the NCLEX-PN exam to earn licensure. They work under the supervision of RNs or physicians and focus on direct patient care tasks. Common responsibilities include:
- Monitoring vital signs and reporting changes
- Assisting patients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating
- Performing basic wound care
- Administering medications within their permitted scope
LPNs and LVNs play an important role in long-term care, home health, and physician offices. However, their scope of practice is limited compared to RNs, and advancement in clinical leadership or specialty roles typically requires transitioning to an RN credential.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
RNs represent the largest segment of the nursing workforce. They can enter the field through an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by the NCLEX-RN exam. Core responsibilities include:
- Conducting patient assessments
- Developing and implementing care plans
- Administering medications and treatments
- Educating patients and families
- Collaborating with physicians and interdisciplinary teams
More hospitals and health systems now prefer or require a BSN for RN positions. BSN programs provide broader training in areas like leadership, public health, research, and evidence-based practice, which prepare nurses to handle more complex care environments. RNs who possess an ADN and want to meet that standard often pursue an RN to BSN program to round out their education while continuing to work.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)
APRNs hold at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and practice with an expanded scope that varies by state. Depending on the state, APRNs may have full practice authority or may collaborate with a supervising physician. The four APRN roles are:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
A BSN is the standard entry point into graduate nursing education, making it a key step for any RN considering an advanced practice path.
Types of Nurses by Clinical Specialty
Beyond the three core categories, many RNs choose to specialize based on the patient populations they serve or the care environment they work in. These clinical specialties represent some of the most common types of nursing jobs you will find in hospital and health system settings.
Medical-Surgical Nurse
Med-surg nurses care for adult patients recovering from surgery or managing acute medical conditions. This is one of the most common entry-level RN roles and provides a broad clinical foundation that prepares nurses for more specialized practice.
Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
ER nurses work in fast-moving environments, triaging patients and providing immediate care for injuries, illnesses, and life-threatening conditions. Strong clinical judgment and the ability to prioritize care quickly are essential in this setting.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
ICU nurses care for critically ill patients who require close monitoring and complex interventions. The nurse-to-patient ratio is typically much lower than on general floors, and these nurses must be skilled at reading and responding to subtle changes in a patient’s condition.
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for infants, children, and adolescents. Beyond clinical skills, they must communicate effectively with young patients and their families, adapting care approaches to different developmental stages.
Labor and Delivery Nurse
Labor and delivery nurses support patients through pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period. They monitor maternal and fetal health during labor, assist with deliveries, and provide care and education to new parents.
Oncology Nurse
Oncology nurses work with patients who have cancer, administering chemotherapy, managing treatment side effects, and providing emotional support throughout what is often a long and difficult care journey.
Types of Nursing Jobs Outside the Hospital
Hospitals are not the only place nurses work. Many different types of nurses practice in community, educational, administrative, and home-based settings. These types of nursing jobs offer different schedules, environments, and patient interactions than inpatient care.
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses work at the population level, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, and access to care within communities. They may work for local health departments, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies.
School Nurse
School nurses serve students in K-12 or higher education settings, managing chronic conditions, responding to injuries and illnesses, and educating students and staff on health-related topics.
Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses provide skilled nursing care to patients in their homes, often following a hospital discharge or supporting those with chronic illness. This role requires strong independent clinical judgment and effective communication with patients and caregivers.
Case Management Nurse
Case management nurses coordinate care across multiple providers and settings to ensure patients receive the right services at the right time. They play a central role in reducing readmissions and improving outcomes for patients with complex or chronic conditions.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators teach in academic nursing programs or provide staff education within healthcare organizations. They are responsible for training the next generation of nurses and keeping current staff up to date on best practices and clinical developments.
Nurse Administrator or Nurse Leader
Nurse administrators and leaders manage nursing units, departments, or entire healthcare organizations. These roles involve staffing, budgeting, policy development, and quality improvement, and they typically require both clinical experience and advanced education.
Advanced Practice and Specialized Nursing Roles
For nurses interested in taking on greater clinical responsibility or leadership in care delivery, advanced practice roles represent the top tier of the profession. These positions require graduate education beyond the BSN and offer an expanded scope of practice.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
NPs are trained to diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe medications, and serve as primary or specialty care providers. They may specialize in areas such as family practice, psychiatry, pediatrics, or acute care.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNAs administer anesthesia and provide anesthesia-related care before, during, and after surgical and procedural interventions. It is one of the most clinically specialized and highest-paid nursing roles available.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
CNMs provide gynecological care, family planning services, prenatal care, and support for labor and delivery. They often work in hospitals, birth centers, or community health settings and emphasize individualized, patient-centered maternity care.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
CNSs are expert clinicians who focus on improving patient outcomes within a specific population or area of practice. They typically work in staff education, quality improvement, and system-wide care redesign rather than direct patient care.
Emerging Nursing Specialties
Healthcare continues to change, and so does the nursing profession. Several newer and growing specialty areas reflect the shift toward technology, data, and broader definitions of care:
- Informatics Nurse: Uses data and health information systems to improve care delivery and clinical workflows
- Telehealth Nurse: Provides remote care and patient education through digital platforms
- Forensic Nurse: Works at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system, often supporting survivors of trauma or abuse
- Research Nurse: Coordinates or participates in clinical trials and studies that advance evidence-based practice
- Quality Improvement Nurse: Focuses on reducing errors, improving outcomes, and ensuring care meets regulatory and safety standards
- Occupational Health Nurse: Promotes health and safety in the workplace, managing workplace injuries and wellness programs
These roles often require analytical thinking, systems-level problem-solving, and an ability to navigate large amounts of data. BSN programs build those competencies through coursework in research, public health, and leadership that ADN programs typically do not cover in depth.
Why Understanding the Different Types of Nurses Matters
Knowing what kind of nurses there are is not just useful trivia. It has real implications for how you plan and build a nursing career. The profession spans a wide spectrum, and where you start does not have to be where you stay. Nurses with a clear sense of where they want to go can make more intentional decisions about education, certifications, and experience early on. Consider which of these areas align with your interests:
- High-acuity clinical care in ICU or emergency settings
- Community advocacy and public health work
- Pediatric or maternal and newborn care
- Nursing leadership, administration, or healthcare management
- Health informatics, technology, or quality improvement
- Advanced practice in primary, specialty, or psychiatric care
Understanding the different types of nurses and the paths that lead to each one puts you in a better position to make purposeful career decisions, whether you are just starting out or looking to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of nurses are there?
Nursing includes three primary credential levels (LPN/LVN, RN, and APRN) and dozens of clinical specialties. Nurses work in hospitals, clinics, schools, homes, communities, and corporate settings, serving patients across every age group and health condition.
What are the most common types of nurses?
Registered nurses are the most common, with many working in medical-surgical, emergency, ICU, pediatric, and labor and delivery roles. LPNs and LVNs are also widely employed, particularly in long-term care facilities.
What types of nursing jobs are available outside hospitals?
Many types of nursing jobs exist beyond hospital walls, including public health nursing, school nursing, home health, case management, nurse education, and nursing administration.
Which nursing roles have the highest salaries?
CRNAs consistently rank among the highest-paid nursing roles. Nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, and clinical nurse specialists also tend to earn above-average salaries. Salary varies based on specialty, experience, education level, and geographic location.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
Nursing is a profession with more directions to grow than most people realize. From bedside specialties to leadership, advanced practice, and emerging roles, the different types of nurses reflect a profession that keeps expanding to meet the needs of patients and communities. If you are a working RN ready to advance, Nevada State University’s online RN to BSN program offers a flexible, affordable path to the degree that opens more doors. Ready to learn more? Request information today and connect with an enrollment advisor who can help you map out your next move.
Sources
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/medical-surgical-nurse/