nursing fields
nursing fields
There are many different kinds of nurses you can be because the nursing field is always changing. There is an ever-increasing demand for nurses, and the nursing career path offers numerous worthwhile advantages, including high salaries, numerous opportunities, and a sense of fulfillment. In this article, you will learn about the various types of nurses and the distinct opportunities associated with each.
20 Fast-Growing Nursing Specialties
It can be challenging to choose from among the numerous nursing specialties available. There is a type of nurse for every interest, from oncology nurses to nurse practitioners. A list of different kinds of nurses and descriptions of the 20 nursing specialties that are growing the fastest are provided below.
- 1. Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses (RNs) provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families, educate the general public about various health conditions, and coordinate and provide care for patients. In a variety of settings, the majority of registered nurses collaborate with physicians and other health care specialists. You should decide whether an RN degree or a BSN degree is right for you based on the type of registered nurse you want to be. Since becoming an RN requires either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can begin working in the field much sooner than in other medical professions. As a registered nurse, you can work in a variety of specialties based on your interests, giving you a wide range of career options.
Select This Specialization If: You are looking for a career in medicine that will let you work as a member of a healthcare team to take care of patients. You would like to start working after two to four years of school.
- 2. Cardiac Nurse
If you’re interested in: You are interested in heart-related issues and would like to help with various surgeries or patient treatment plans.
- 3. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A highly skilled nurse who assists with anesthesia during surgeries is known as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Due to their extensive training and high demand in surgical settings, CRNAs are one of the highest-paying nurse specialties in the medical field. You must complete a graduate degree program to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. For certified registered nurse anesthetists, Gwynedd Mercy University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is ideal for furthering their education.
Select This Specialization If: You want to help patients manage their pain before, during, and after medical procedures or treatments.
- 4. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
A type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) known as a clinical nurse specialist works with other nurses and staff to improve a patient’s quality of care by providing direct patient care. They may instruct and counsel other nurses and frequently assume leadership roles.
Select This Specialization If: You are interested in pursuing a position of leadership in the nursing profession and would like to manage a staff of nurses while also practicing medicine.
- 5. Critical Care Nurse
The main difference between a critical care nurse and a registered nurse is that a critical care nurse is specifically trained for emergency situations. The education level of critical care nurses and registered nurses is very similar. In stressful situations, a critical care nurse is expected to tend to severe wounds and monitor life support systems.
Select This Specialization If: You would like to assist patients during significant traumatic events, such as a fatal illness or serious injury.
- 6. ER Nurse
After carefully evaluating and stabilizing a patient, an ER nurse performs a variety of tasks with their team in the emergency room. When a patient’s medical records are reviewed, an emergency room nurse is expected to treat basic wounds and ailments as well as determine the appropriate dosage of medications.
Select This Specialization If: In a stressful situation, you want to help patients with a wide range of injuries or illnesses.
- 7. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) have specialized training in providing primary health care to patients of all ages. Prescription of medications, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and physical examinations are typical responsibilities of a family nurse practitioner.
Select This Specialization If: You want to offer patients of all ages more in-depth and comprehensive medical care.
- 8. Geriatric Nursing
A geriatric nurse focuses on helping older patients recover from injuries or illnesses, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence. They can anticipate future care for their patients and long-term illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer’s, in addition to caring for elderly patients. Classes at Gwynedd Mercy University’s Post-master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate, which focuses on geriatric conditions specifically, can help you advance your career in this field.
If you’re interested in: You wish to assist the elderly with medical care, physical ailments, or mental disorders, or with more advanced treatments for their basic needs.
- 9. Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/OR Nurse)
A perioperative nurse, also known as an operating room nurse or a surgical nurse, focuses on a patient’s pre-and post-operative care. They are able to set up a surgical room, manage the tools used in operations, and apply bandages to control and maintain a patient’s bleeding during surgery.
If you’re interested in: You want to help women physically, emotionally, or mentally before, during, or after they give birth.
- 10. Mental Health Nurse
Mental health nurses are trained to identify and treat mental health issues in patients. In this field of nursing, counseling services are frequently an essential responsibility.
If you’re interested in: You want to build a meaningful relationship with your patients so that you can meet all of their emotional and mental needs and provide them with comprehensive care.
- 11. Nurse Educator
It is the responsibility of nurse educators to instruct nursing students on patient care. They may focus on particular aspects of nursing or cover the entire field of nursing.
- 12. Nurse Manager
A nurse manager serves as a clinical path supervisor. Many nurse managers take on administrative responsibilities such as scheduling, budgeting, and management decisions, as well as recruiting new nurses.
- 13. Nurse Midwife
The care of pregnant women is the area of expertise of a nurse midwife. They also help with prenatal appointments and labor and delivery. After the delivery room, nurse midwives continue their care by educating and counseling new mothers on how to adjust to life with a baby.
- 14. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners provide advanced nursing services to patients and their families as primary and specialty care providers. Additionally, they might conduct physical examinations, order tests, and give prescriptions for medicines.
- 15. Nursing Administrator
Although on a much larger scale, a nursing administrator is similar to a nurse manager. A nursing administrator’s primary responsibility is to oversee nursing teams as a whole. The nursing administrator’s leadership is crucial to the unit’s smooth and efficient operation.
- 16. Oncology Nurse
Oncology nurses have extensive training in cancer treatment and educate patients about their treatment options and remission status. Oncology nurses can continue to prescribe medications and keep track of their patients’ symptoms and progress.
- 17. Orthopedic Nurse
Osteoporosis, fractured bones, arthritis, and joint replacements are just a few of the musculoskeletal conditions and diseases that orthopedic nurses focus on. They can assist in the treatment of physical problems and the intricate management of diseases.
- 18. Pediatric Nurse
A pediatric nurse specializes in child care from infancy to adolescence. Pediatric nurses are able to perform physical examinations, diagnose illness, and develop treatment plans, just like other nurses.
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19. Public Health Nurse
A public health nurse works on behalf of communities and educates them about crucial health information that affects their society. They strive to educate their patients about various treatment options, disease prevention, and medical assistance.
- 20. Travel Nurse
Uniquely, travel nurses are able to interact with patients from a variety of locations and move around based on their contract. In addition, travel nurses receive an allowance for housing in addition to their hourly pay. Travel nurses are able to broaden their experiences on a personal and professional level as a result of their journey, in addition to the satisfaction that comes from working in a new location and learning new things.
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