When someone chooses to become a nurse, the decisions about career paths are just beginning.

"Nursing is an education for life that you can apply anywhere," said Emily Beard, who has held three nursing roles since she graduated from Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in 2004. "Each role has prepared me for the next, and I see nothing but more opportunities on the horizon as I grow into the profession. There's no end to where nursing can take you."

Photos by BARRY WILLIAMS/Special (ENLARGE)

Emily Beard (right), a nurse navigator at the Comprehensive Breast Center at DeKalb Medical, goes over MRI results with patient Karen Hubbard.

(ENLARGE)

Kennesaw State University nursing instructor Chuntiel James (center) supervises nursing students (from left) Stacy Davis, Amanda Abraham, Sumier Overcash and Nicole Nemecek at St. Joseph's Hospital, where they are participating in clinical instruction.

Here are a few of the roles performed by nurses.

Navigator

Beard worked in a medical/surgical unit and as director of clinical services at a public health clinic before becoming a nurse navigator for the Comprehensive Breast Center at DeKalb Medical in Decatur.

It was the role she had played for her mother — a breast cancer survivor — and one that she knew was needed.

"The hospital didn't know what the role would be, which allowed me to be innovative in creating the program. I got to ask the patients what they needed," Beard said.

When a woman has a breast problem or a cancer diagnosis, Beard is there to listen, explain procedures and to coordinate appointments.

"A person could do it themselves, but it's scary and intimidating," Beard said. "It's like I stand with them at the center of the wheel and help them reach out to all the spokes.

"I'm their advocate. Some need financial assistance, some counseling, a support group, information about lab results ... I never really know what I'm going to walk into each day. I love that challenge and the opportunity to grow as a nurse."

Educator

Chuntiel James started her nursing career in a hospital cardiac unit but, while earning her master's degree at Tennessee State University, she became a lab instructor for undergraduate nursing students.

"It hadn't been that long since I got my BSN [degree], so I could understand where they were coming from and be a sounding board," she said. "It was totally different being on the other side, though. Now I understand an instructor's struggles."

A clinical instructor at Kennesaw State University's nursing program, James enjoys taking students to hospitals.

"I show them nursing skills and try and make them feel comfortable touching and talking to patients," James said. "I never expected to end up in education, but I like helping students feel more confident."

James believes in the importance of real-world learning.

"They need to know that as nurses they are going to see a lot more variation than they read about in a textbook. They need to learn to think critically," she said.

James knows she could make more money as a practicing nurse, but she likes the flexibility and challenge of teaching.

"Every semester I get a little better," she said. "I've found a niche I really like."

Charge nurse

"I always wanted to be a nurse. I love helping people heal," said Pam Bisig, a charge nurse in the neurovascular unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. "You can work in [obstetrics] and welcome new babies into the world or hold a dying patient's hand as a hospice nurse. I don't know of another profession that is so broad."

The opportunity to make a difference with patients and families has kept Bisig at bedsides for 28 years.

"I love the science, new medications and technology. There's always something new to learn," she said. "The patients are sicker now and need more care and education. It keeps you on your toes."

Bisig has seen the responsibilities of hospital nurses grow. St. Joseph's operates on a shared-governance model, with nurses playing a role in the decision-making process. "Who better than bedside nurses to have a say in how things should be done?" she asked.

Bisig is a preceptor for new nurses. "Watching a scared, new grad evolve into a confident and productive staff member is one of my greatest rewards," she said.

Researcher

When she was in kindergarten, Kathy Parker landed in the hospital with a kidney infection and a wonderful nurse took good care of her. "She made such an impression on me, and I knew I would become a nurse," Parker said.

As a clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner, Parker has treated patients with kidney disease at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center for about 10 years.

"You can keep a patient alive on dialysis for up to 20 years, but you can't cure them. You can only control their symptoms," Parker said. "We did a pretty good job, except with their sleep issues. Many sleep poorly at night and are groggy during the day,"

Parker earned her Ph.D. in 1990 and began conducting clinical trials. The results are promising; they show that patients sleep better when blood is given at cooler temperatures during dialysis.

Studying sleep is Parker's passion, and she is one of five nurses certified by the American Board of Sleep Disorders. As co-director of the Emory Sleep Program, Parker maintains an active practice and has expanded her research to include sleep disturbances of people with chronic illnesses.

"I don't spend my time on anything unless I think there is a viable intervention and positive outcome for patients," Parker said. "My research comes from my patients. Patients will tell you what the important problems are. Nurses bring that unique perspective to research."

Manager

Kimberly Fitzgerald always loved the frantic pace of the emergency room. "I like taking care of patients and seeing them get better right before your eyes," she said.

Fitzgerald didn't want to go into management, but her "can-do" personality resulted in her becoming a charge nurse six months into her career.

"After [performing] one role, you're in management, but I found that I loved taking care of patients and staff," she said.

She's done it for 18 years.

As nurse manager of emergency room services at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale, Fitzgerald is making a difference. She initiated the practice of using protocols that allow ER nurses to perform assessments and order tests. That way, physicians can have test results in hand when they first see patients.

"Nurses love it, doctors love it, and it's better for the patients," Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald wears a nursing uniform every day and, if needed, she'll pitch in at the bedside.

"Being responsible for everyone and making sure they have what they need in the job is demanding," Fitzgerald said, "but I love it when I walk in and everything's in place and everybody's taking care of patients. That's a good feeling."