For many nurses, the desire to make a meaningful impact in healthcare often comes with the wish to remain close to home. Whether it’s to be near family, enjoy the comfort of familiar surroundings, or simply avoid the stress of relocation, staying close to home while pursuing a rewarding career in nursing is entirely possible.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best nursing job that allow you to work in your community or region, providing essential care without the need to move far away. Whether you’re just starting your nursing career or are a seasoned professional looking for a change, there are plenty of opportunities to explore right in your own backyard.
1. Home Health Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
Home health nursing is one of the most fulfilling career paths for nurses who prefer to stay close to home. This role allows you to work directly with patients in their own homes, providing a wide range of services, from wound care to administering medications and managing chronic conditions. Home health nurses often work with a small group of patients, giving you the chance to build strong, personal relationships while providing essential care.
- Location: Typically in patients’ homes, often within a local community or region.
- Why it’s close to home: Most home health agencies are localized, so you’ll serve patients in a specific area, allowing for a familiar commute and flexible schedules.
- Perks: Flexible hours, autonomy in your workday, and a close-knit, community-based environment.
- Skills needed: Critical thinking, wound care, patient education, and the ability to work independently.
2. School Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
For nurses who enjoy working with children and want a set schedule that aligns with the school year, school nursing is an excellent option. School nurses provide care to students, staff, and teachers, managing everything from daily health checks and administering medications to handling emergencies and educating students about health and wellness.
- Location: Local schools, ranging from elementary to high school levels.
- Why it’s close to home: Schools are typically part of your local community, so you’ll be working just a short distance away.
- Perks: Regular hours (usually during school terms), long holiday breaks, and the ability to stay connected with your local community.
- Skills needed: Pediatric care, emergency response, first aid, and communication with parents and school staff.
3. Nurse Educator at Local Colleges or Universities
Why It’s a Great Option:
If you have a passion for teaching and mentoring future generations of nurses, becoming a nurse educator could be the ideal role for you. Nurse educators teach nursing students in classroom settings and clinical environments, helping to shape the next wave of healthcare professionals. Many nursing programs are offered at local community colleges or universities, giving you the chance to stay close to home while advancing your career.
- Location: Local colleges, universities, or nursing schools.
- Why it’s close to home: Working at a local institution means you can live and work in your community while contributing to the education of future nurses.
- Perks: Regular hours, academic calendar breaks, opportunities for research, and a strong sense of fulfillment in shaping future healthcare professionals.
- Skills needed: Teaching, clinical experience, strong communication skills, and advanced nursing knowledge.
4. Clinic Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
Working in a local clinic can provide a great balance between clinical nursing work and the convenience of staying in your own community. Nurses in clinics often work in general practice offices, urgent care centers, or specialty clinics, assisting physicians with exams, administering vaccines, and helping with patient education. These roles often have predictable hours and offer a strong sense of community engagement.
- Location: Local medical clinics, urgent care centers, or specialty practices.
- Why it’s close to home: Clinics are typically located within local neighborhoods or regions, so you won’t have to travel far for work.
- Perks: Regular hours, weekends off, and the ability to build long-term relationships with patients in your community.
- Skills needed: General nursing skills, patient education, administrative tasks, and communication with healthcare teams.
5. Nursing Home or Assisted Living Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
If you have a passion for working with older adults, a nursing role in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be a rewarding choice that keeps you close to home. Nurses in these settings provide care to elderly residents, including medication management, physical assessments, and support for daily activities. These facilities are often located in residential areas, so you can continue to live near your community while making a positive impact on your patients’ lives.
- Location: Local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care centers.
- Why it’s close to home: Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are often located in neighborhoods or suburban areas, making it easy for nurses to stay in their community.
- Perks: Strong relationships with patients, regular hours, and the chance to work closely with a multidisciplinary team.
- Skills needed: Geriatric care, medication administration, patient mobility support, and communication with families.
6. Public Health Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
Public health nurses are essential to promoting health and wellness in the community, focusing on disease prevention, health education, and outreach programs. Whether working in a local government health department or with a non-profit organization, public health nurses engage with communities to improve public health and ensure that underserved populations receive necessary care.
- Location: Local public health departments, community organizations, or government-funded programs.
- Why it’s close to home: Public health initiatives are often tailored to local communities, meaning you’ll be able to make a difference right where you live.
- Perks: Flexible hours, the opportunity to make a tangible impact in your community, and often a good work-life balance.
- Skills needed: Disease prevention, health promotion, communication with community members, and cultural competence.
7. Pediatric Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
Pediatric nurses specialize in providing care for infants, children, and adolescents. Whether in a hospital, pediatrician’s office, or outpatient clinic, pediatric nurses provide essential services to help children grow up healthy. Pediatric nurses often develop close relationships with patients and families, creating a deeply rewarding and fulfilling career.
- Location: Pediatric offices, pediatric units in hospitals, or local health clinics.
- Why it’s close to home: Pediatric care is often delivered in community-based settings, so working locally is a great option for staying close to home.
- Perks: Making a positive impact on children’s health, building long-term relationships with families, and regular hours.
- Skills needed: Pediatric care, emotional intelligence, communication with parents, and clinical nursing skills.
8. Telehealth Nurse
Why It’s a Great Option:
Telehealth nursing has become increasingly popular, especially with the rise of virtual care options. As a telehealth nurse, you’ll provide remote healthcare consultations to patients, manage chronic conditions, and offer advice through phone calls, video calls, or secure messaging systems. This role provides the flexibility of working from home, while still staying connected to your patients.
- Location: Home-based or local telehealth facilities.
- Why it’s close to home: Telehealth nursing allows you to work from the comfort of your own home, while still providing care to patients in your community.
- Perks: Flexibility in working hours, the ability to work from home, and a balance of technology with patient care.
- Skills needed: Strong communication skills, clinical knowledge, and proficiency in telehealth technology.
Final Thoughts: Stay Close to Home, Make a Big Impact
Nursing is a versatile profession with endless opportunities, and the best part is, you don’t have to travel far to make a difference. Whether you’re interested in working in home health, a local clinic, a nursing home, or even as a nurse educator, there are countless options for nurses who want to stay close to home while still pursuing a fulfilling and rewarding career.
At Nersify, we’re committed to helping you find nursing jobs that align with your professional goals and personal preferences. If you’re looking to stay close to home while making a meaningful impact in healthcare, explore the opportunities available on our platform today.