Training, education

• Degrees from a four-year or two-year college are preferred for an entry-level position. A diploma from a hospital-training program is also acceptable. A four-year bachelor's of science degree in nursing will provide you with the best chance for advancement.
  
  

Work environment

• An outpatient nurse will work in a hospital, meaning it will be a safe, clean environment. Work shifts can be 12 hours, and nurses will be expected to work nights, weekends and holidays.
  
  

Hazards

• Lifting patients can result in back strain, and you will spend many hours on your feet. Although an outpatient nurse handles patients heading home, there is potential exposure to infectious diseases and viruses. Strict guidelines must be followed to prevent risk from the handling of bodily fluids and use of needles.
  
  

Salary

• According to the Occupational Employment Statistics program, the median salary for a nurse in a hospital is $63,880 a year.
  
  

Job prospects

• The aging of the American population will mean an increased demand for nurses. The Department of Labor estimated that the number of nursing jobs at a hospital would grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018.