22 common types of nurses
and what they do

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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).*

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.*

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.

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.