Nursing Specialties For Career Growth

If you're interested in entering the healthcare field as a nurse, you may wonder about the types of nursing jobs available. What are some specializations you can explore to grow your nursing career?

There are many different specializations for nurses. Some of these require additional, specialized education, such as a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), while others you can pursue with only a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN).

Keep reading for more information.

Top Nursing Specializations To Grow Your Career

Let's take a closer look at some popular nursing career paths you may want to consider as you grow your career and advance in the nursing field.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who specialize in administering anesthesia to patients preparing to undergo surgery or other medical procedures. They also provide care for anesthetized patients, identify potential health-related risks with anesthetizing patients, and answer questions from patients and family members. Aspiring CRNAs must complete an MSN or DNP to pursue this specialization.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Certified nurse midwives are another type of APRN. They provide obstetric care to mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery. In addition to delivering babies, they:

• perform routine checkups throughout pregnancies
• prescribe and administer medications
• educate patients

CNMs must hold an MSN degree.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are APRNs who provide clinical care to patients from all walks of life. They provide general care and wellness exams, prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, and order specialized tests when necessary. The majority of nurse practitioners choose the FNP specialization. Registered nurses must complete an MSN or DNP degree to become a family nurse practitioner.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are tasked with training the next generation of clinical nurses by leading nursing programs. They teach classes, develop lesson plans, answer students' questions, oversee students' clinical experiences, and maintain necessary clinical competencies. Aspiring nurse educators must obtain at least an MSN to enter this specialty.

Surgical Nurse

Surgical nurses perform various duties that may change from patient to patient or depend on their specific role. Some surgical nurses assist with surgery and examine post-op patients, while others act as operating room directors and lead teams of med-surg nurses. Becoming a surgical nurse with only an associate degree in nursing (ADN) is possible, though most RNs in this specialty hold a BSN.

Pediatric Nurse

A pediatric nurse specialized in providing care for children. Duties may include educating patients and families, administering vaccines and medications, creating treatment plans, assessing patients, documenting observations, and assisting other healthcare professionals during various procedures. Pediatric nurses must obtain an ADN or BSN to get started in the field.

Community Health Nurse

Community health nurses are a subspecialty of public health nurses. They provide public patient care within their community. The focus of this care is often preventative, as they educate populations in the community on making healthy lifestyle choices. Community health nurses typically hold a BSN or MSN degree.

Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses specialize in providing care for patients with cancer. They perform assessments, develop treatment plans, administer chemotherapy medications, and provide care following cancer surgeries. Registered nurses can pursue this specialization with an ADN or BSN degree.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse. These nurse specialists aid in conducting clinical research and evidence-based practice projects; provide education for communities, patients, and families; provide transitional care; and assist and lead teams of nurses, acting as a resource for them. Clinical nurse specialists must hold at least an MSN degree.

Critical Care Nurse

Critical care nurses often work in:

• intensive care units
• emergency rooms
• cardiac units

They provide lifesaving interventions for patients experiencing acute injuries and medical emergencies. They must be able to remain calm in high-stress, fast-paced work environments. Critical care nurses can enter the field with an ADN or BSN degree.

How To Decide on a Nursing Specialization

If you want to expand your career opportunities by pursuing a nursing specialization, you may still have questions about which specialty to choose. Keep reading as we discuss how you can decide on the best nursing specialization for you.

Evaluate Your Career and Life Goals

Spend some time thinking about where you would like your career to take you. If you enjoy traveling, perhaps one of your long-term goals is to become a travel nurse. If you would rather explore career options closer to home, consider the healthcare providers in your area and the positions they are hiring for. Ponder your long-term career and life goals to determine whether to advance to a leadership or management position, stay in patient care, move into education, or do something else entirely.

Examine Your Passions and Interests

Understanding your passions and interests can help inform your career goals. For example, you may consider becoming a psychiatric nurse if you're interested in mental health. Consider a nursing profession in gerontology or women's health if you enjoy working with specific patient populations. There are so many nursing roles to choose from. Identifying your interests can help you choose the career path that's ideal for you.

Determine Which Specializations Are In Demand

Choosing a high-demand nursing field may provide better job security and the potential to earn higher wages, even if you only have an entry-level nursing degree like an ADN or BSN. In addition to the specializations listed above, some other in-demand nursing jobs include:

• licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• home care nurse
• neonatal nurse
• nurse administrator

Fall Back on Your Clinical Experience

While you were in nursing school working through your clinical experiences, you may have had opportunities to work in many distinct settings like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare facilities. Which of these experiences did you enjoy the most? Did you prefer working in one unit or department more than another? When deciding which nursing specialization to pursue, consider what fields of nursing you enjoyed most and did best in as a nursing student.

Speak to Nursing Professionals

If you're still undecided on a nursing specialty, talk to nurses in any of the fields you are considering. Ask them about the work environment, what they like and don't like about the job, the potential for job growth, and any other questions you may have. Talking to those already working in certain specializations can give you a better idea about what it's like to pursue that specialization. This can help you make a more informed decision about whether it's the right career path for you.