09/03/202409/03/2024

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5 Nursing Specialties to Consider

Many nurses get into their careers to help people and provide direct, hands-on care. Eventually, they may discover that they prefer to provide a particular type of care, care for certain populations, or work in specific environments. If you want to hone your nursing career to fit your goals and preferences, you may want to pursue a specialty.

There are numerous specialization options, each with its own requirements, duties, and benefits. If you decide to specialize, you should learn more about what specialties are available, what each one entails, and any certification or renewal requirements in your state. This article will outline some specialties and provide some continuing education course s you can pursue to upskill in each area.

5 Nurse Specialties You Can Pursue

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which specialization you want to pursue. These include demand for the role, educational requirements, salary expectations, and responsibilities. Here are five nurse specialties to keep in mind.

1. Critical Care Nurse

Critical care nurses provide healthcare to critically ill patients. They are responsible for all care of their patients, including monitoring patient vitals, adjusting treatment as needed, and updating loved ones on their conditions. Critical care nurses must be registered nurses (RNs), meaning they likely have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. They should also have certification in cardiac life support and may obtain Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification in different areas from the American Association of Critical Care Nursing Certification Corporation (AACN).

Explore some available continu ing education courses in critical care nursing.

2. Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses usually work for a local government or city health department. They promote wellness and stop the spread of disease by educating community members, but they may also collaborate on vaccine clinics, provide screenings, or even assist in disaster relief efforts. These nurses must have an RN licensure and an undergraduate degree. They may also need additional training or certification in public health, such as The Advanced Public Health Nursing Certification (PHNA-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Find out more about continuing education courses in public health nursing.

3. Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric nurses provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care to patients with mental health disorders. They work closely with psychiatrists and other medical providers to provide holistic treatments. They also play an important role in fostering patient relationships and monitoring symptoms. Psychiatric nurses can be RNs or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). RNs can pursue Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC™) through the ANCC, while APRNs can obtain the ANCC’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™).

Discover continuing education course s related to psychiatric nursing.

4. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs) are APRNs who serve in a primary care role for women of all ages and provide ongoing care during pregnancy and childbirth. Women’s health nurse practitioners can also provide reproductive care and help their patients navigate menopause. To become a WHNP, RNs must pursue an advanced degree and can obtain Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC®) certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Consider contin uing education courses focused on women’s health.

“If you want to hone your nursing career to fit your goals and preferences, you may want to pursue a specialty.”

5. Cardiac Nurse

Cardiac nurses support patients who have both chronic and acute heart conditions. They may work in intensive care, cardiology, and surgical units, as well as in rehabilitation centers supporting cardiologists. Their duties include patient assessment, post-operative care, and vascular monitoring. RNs can obtain Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC™) from the ANCC, and APRNs can earn Cardiovascular Nursing Board Certification (CVNP-BC) through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM).

Learn more about cardiac nursing through continuing education courses focused on cardiovascular and heart disease.

Why Seek a Nursing Specialty?

There are several reasons you might move from generalized care to a specialty role. Some of the most common reasons include:

Focused practice. You can work in an area or population you’re interested in or feel connected to. This can increase workplace engagement and satisfaction.
Career growth potential. Specialization helps you hone your practice, which may prepare you for career advancement in certain areas. For example, specializing in critical care can make you more qualified to advance into a clinical nurse specialist role through certification at the AACN.
Increased opportunities for career growth. You may have more opportunities for career growth in your chosen area of specialization.
Enhanced credibility. You may receive a higher level of professional regard in your specialty area.

Pursue a Specialized Path in Nursing

If you want to narrow your clinical focus and develop specialized skills and knowledge, consider pursuing advanced training or ongoing education. The continuing education offerings at NurseCE4Less can provide you with information on license r enewal in your state and courses to build knowledge in areas for advancement or upskilling in different specialties.

Courses can be g eneralized or range from pharmacology to infectious disease and control. Explore our offerings and find out how you can pursue the nursing career you want.

Recommended Readings

How to Advance Your Nursing Career: 6 Tip s

Telehealth and Nursing: Careers in the Remote Healthcare Landscape

What Is Advocacy in Nursing?

Sources:

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, APRN Certifications

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Get Certified

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, “Are You Considering a Career as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner?”

American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine, Inc., Certification Exams Available

American Nurses Credentialing Center, Our Certifications

American Psychiatric Nurses Association, About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Indeed, “What Is a Cardiac Nurse? (Career Overview and Requirements)”

National Academy of Medicine, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030

National Certification Corporation, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

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