As many of us know, nursing is one of the most flexible and diverse careers you can have. Nursing opens the door to a broad range of specialties and opportunities beyond the conventional roles that are associated with hospitals and clinics. Even with all of my years of experience as a nurse, I’m still discovering new roles within the profession. For those looking for uncommon nursing careers away from the bedside but don’t want to hear about the typical case management and insurance roles, keep reading. Here are 3 nursing careers you may have never heard of.

Space Nursing

What if I told you that space exploration doesn’t have to be limited to astronauts? You could have the opportunity to boost your nursing career by working for NASA and exploring outer space! It sounds too good to be true, right?

The advent of space exploration has opened up new horizons not just for astronauts but also for medical professionals. Space Nursing, although still very new, is a field that promises to address certain healthcare challenges faced during space missions. This specialty is based on the understanding that outer space—characterized by microgravity, radiation exposure, and isolation—presents novel health risks and psychological challenges for astronauts. Space Nurses are at the forefront of developing and implementing healthcare strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring astronauts’ well-being during space missions.

The Role of a Space Nurse

Space Nurses play an important role in astronaut care, focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions specific to the space environment. Their responsibilities may include monitoring astronauts’ long-term health, conducting research on the effects of space travel on the human body, and developing emergency medical protocols for space missions. Space nurses are also instrumental in preparing astronauts for the physiological changes they will experience in space, such as muscle atrophy and fluid shifts, and providing post-mission care to facilitate re-adaptation to Earth’s gravity.

Becoming A NASA Nurse

The pathway to becoming a Space Nurse involves a solid foundation in nursing, particularly in specialties that require quick decision-making and autonomous practice, such as emergency nursing or critical care. Potential Space Nurses should aim to gain experience in high-intensity fields like critical care to develop the necessary clinical skills and resilience required for space healthcare. Since this nursing career is highly specialized, Air Force flight nurses or regular flight nurses have a better chance of getting into one of these roles.

Advancing in this specialty requires further education in aerospace medicine, which covers the specific health risks associated with space travel and the principles of providing medical care in space. Participation in aerospace medicine conferences, workshops, and certification programs can also provide valuable knowledge and networking opportunities.

Future Opportunities For Space Nursing Careers

As space agencies and private companies intensify their efforts toward long-duration space missions, the demand for healthcare professionals with specialized knowledge in space medicine will grow. Space Nurses will not only contribute to the safety and success of these missions but also advance our understanding of human health in the unique context of outer space. This is definitely an opportunity to consider for those who are ambitious. 

Wilderness Nursing 

Those who want to take their nursing careers to the great outdoors should consider Wilderness Nursing! Wilderness Nurses operate at the crossroads of healthcare and outdoor adventure, delivering medical care in remote and often challenging environments. This unique nursing career caters to individuals participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, and camping, as well as communities living in areas far removed from traditional medical facilities. By combining their clinical skills with a passion for the outdoors, Wilderness Nurses ensure that high-quality healthcare is accessible even in the most isolated settings. I honestly had no idea this was a thing until I worked at a remote critical access hospital. 

What Does A Wilderness Nurse Do?

People who are into extreme activities like hiking in remote locations or backpacking in sparsely populated areas are just as prone to injury as anyone else. Moreover, natural disasters  The difference is that if something were to happen, there would be virtually no medical resources within a nearby radius. Wilderness Nurses are trained to provide comprehensive healthcare services outside the confines of conventional medical facilities. This includes performing emergency interventions, offering primary care, and educating the public on wilderness safety and first aid. They are skilled at improvising with limited resources and adapting their medical knowledge to the unpredictable conditions of the natural environment.

These nurses may work alongside search and rescue teams, within national parks, or as part of expedition groups, where they are responsible for assessing and managing acute injuries, environmental illnesses, and other health issues that can arise in wilderness settings. Their role is not only curative but also preventive, focusing on health promotion and injury prevention among outdoor enthusiasts and remote communities.

Educational and Professional Requirements

Given the specific demands of wilderness medicine, additional training and certification in wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder (WFR), or wilderness advanced life support (WALS) are highly recommended to equip nurses with the skills needed for emergency care in harsh environments.

Those who’ve had prior nursing careers in emergency, trauma, critical care, or flight nursing will have valuable preparation for the challenges of a wilderness nursing career. Moreover, involvement in outdoor activities or volunteer work with outdoor organizations can enhance a nurse’s understanding of the specific health risks and logistical challenges associated with wilderness areas.

Continuing education courses and workshops focused on wilderness medicine, offered by organizations such as the Wilderness Medical Society, can also be helpful for enhancing expertise and credibility in this field. 

The Future Of Wilderness Nursing

The demand for Wilderness Nurses is expected to grow as more people seek outdoor experiences and as the global population of remote and underserved communities continues to require accessible healthcare services. Wilderness Nurses not only fulfill a critical need for medical care in non-traditional settings but also contribute to the safety and well-being of individuals engaging with the natural world.

This nursing career path offers nurses the unique opportunity to combine their clinical expertise with a love for the outdoors, promoting health and wellness in some of the most beautiful and untouched parts of the world. For those with a spirit of adventure, a wilderness nursing career offers a challenging and rewarding way to make a difference outside the walls of a hospital.

Hyperbaric Nursing

Hyperbaric Nursing is a specialized field that involves the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to treat a variety of medical conditions. By delivering 100% oxygen at pressures greater than sea level to patients inside a hyperbaric chamber, this treatment enhances the body’s natural healing processes and has been effective in managing conditions such as chronic wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness, among others. Hyperbaric Nurses play a major role in this therapeutic environment by optimizing treatment outcomes.

Hyperbaric Nursing Explained

Hyperbaric Nurses are responsible for assessing patient suitability for HBOT, preparing patients for treatment, monitoring them during the therapy session, and providing post-treatment care. Their duties also include operating the hyperbaric chamber, managing any side effects, and educating patients and their families about the therapy process and what to expect. These nurses must have a thorough understanding of hyperbaric medicine principles, including the physics of high-pressure environments and the physiological effects of oxygen on the body.

Given the potential risks associated with HBOT, such as oxygen toxicity and barotrauma, Hyperbaric Nurses must be vigilant in monitoring patients for any adverse reactions and be prepared to respond to emergencies. Their expertise ensures that HBOT is delivered safely and effectively, maximizing the therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks.

Educational Requirements

Those interested in pursuing a nursing career in hyperbaric medicine typically gain experience in critical care, emergency nursing, or wound care to build a solid foundation for the specialized skills required in hyperbaric nursing.

Certification in hyperbaric technology is an essential step for those looking to specialize in this field. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) offer certification programs for nurses, which include both didactic instruction and clinical training in hyperbaric medicine.

Continued education and staying on top of the latest research and developments in hyperbaric medicine are essential for a hyperbaric nursing career.

The Future Of Hyperbaric Nursing

As the applications of HBOT continue to expand and its benefits in treating a wide range of conditions become increasingly recognized, the demand for skilled Hyperbaric Nurses is expected to rise. This nursing career offers the opportunity to engage in a highly technical and rewarding field of medicine, where nurses can have a significant impact on patient recovery and quality of life.

Hyperbaric Nursing combines the compassion and patient care skills inherent in nursing with the advanced technical knowledge required to administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For those drawn to this unique intersection of nursing and technology, a career in hyperbaric nursing offers a challenging and fulfilling path.

As you can see, nursing offers a world of opportunities that cater to people of all interests. It’s nice to know that as a nurse, you don’t have to pigeonhole yourself into one specific area. You’ve got options. Have you heard of any of these uncommon nursing careers? Let me know!