As a registered nurse, you have a wide array of career options available, with many different areas of specialization to explore. Each specialty requires different skills and demands unique qualities, and choosing the right one is critical to your success and satisfaction in your work.
This guide provides an in-depth look at common nursing specialties, what they entail, and the key skills required for each.
Emergency Nursing
What is Emergency Nursing?
Emergency nursing involves working in the emergency room, where nurses triage, assess, and treat patients who are experiencing acute illness or injuries.
What Kind of Patients do Emergency Nurses Typically Work With?
Emergency nurses work with patients of all ages, with various medical conditions, including trauma victims, stroke patients, or those with severe illnesses.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Emergency Nursing?
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Effective communication
- Ability to work well under pressure
Critical Care Nursing
What is Critical Care Nursing?
What Kind of Patients do Critical Care Nurses Typically Work With?
Critical care nurses work with patients who are facing life-threatening conditions, such as those with heart or respiratory failure, traumatic injuries, or complications from surgery.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Critical Care Nursing?
- Strong technical skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations
Pediatric Nursing
What is Pediatric Nursing?
Pediatric nurses provide care to children from infants to teenagers. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and pediatric offices.
What Kind of Patients do Pediatric Nurses Typically Work With?
Pediatric nurses work with children with a wide range of medical conditions, including common childhood illnesses, chronic diseases, and developmental disabilities.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Pediatric Nursing?
- Patience, kindness, and compassion
- Ability to communicate effectively with children and their families
- Understanding of child development
Oncology Nursing
What is Oncology Nursing?
Oncology nurses work closely with cancer patients to provide care tailored to their unique needs. They help patients navigate the complex medical process of cancer treatment.
What Kind of Patients do Oncology Nurses Typically Work With?
Oncology nurses work with patients who are either undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Oncology Nursing?
- Comprehensive understanding of cancer physiology and treatment options
- Ability to manage complex symptoms
- Strong communication and compassionate care
Mental Health Nursing
What is Mental Health Nursing?
Mental health nurses help patients with mental health conditions to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
What Kind of Patients do Mental Health Nurses Typically Work With?
Mental health nurses work with patients with various mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Mental Health Nursing?
- Strong therapeutic communication skills
- Understanding of psychiatric illnesses and psychopharmacology
- Empathy and ability to establish trust with patients
Forensic Nursing
What is Forensic Nursing?
Forensic nurses use their medical expertise to assist in legal matters. They provide medical care to victims of crimes, as well as working with law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes or emergencies.
What Kind of Patients do Forensic Nurses Typically Work With?
Forensic nurses work with patients who have been victims of crimes, abuse, or neglect.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Forensic Nursing?
- Attention to detail and thorough documentation
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to remain objective in high-stress situations
Geriatric Nursing
What is Geriatric Nursing?
Geriatric nurses provide care to elderly patients with complex medical needs.
What Kind of Patients do Geriatric Nurses Typically Work With?
Geriatric nurses work with elderly patients with cognitive, physical, and functional impairments.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Geriatric Nursing?
- Knowledge of age-related illnesses and conditions
- Compassion and patience
- Ability to provide comfort during end-of-life care
Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
What is Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing?
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses provide care to patients who have serious illnesses, with a focus on symptom management and improving quality of life.
What Kind of Patients do Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Typically Work With?
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses work with patients who have life-threatening conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological illnesses.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing?
- Excellent communication skills for end of life care
- Ability to provide comfort and emotional support to patients and their families
- Knowledge of pain management
Travel Nursing
What is Travel Nursing?
Travel nursing involves working short-term nursing assignments and providing care outside of one’s hometown or home state.
What Kind of Jobs Can Travel Nurses Expect to Find?
Travel Nurses are hired for various nursing roles, including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Travel Nursing?
- Benefits:
Flexibility in location, salary, and job type
- Drawbacks:
Short-term assignments, new work environment, and unfamiliarity with staff and physicians
Public Health Nursing
What is Public Health Nursing?
Public Health Nurses work with communities to prevent illness, promote health, and provide care to those in need.
What Kind of Work Do Public Health Nurses Typically Do?
Public Health Nurses work with community members to promote healthy lifestyles, provide general healthcare guidance, and administer vaccinations or other health initiatives.
What Are the Key Skills Required for Public Health Nursing?
- Knowledge of community health planning and implementation
- Ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including community leaders, policy makers, and healthcare professionals
- Passion for community and public health
Conclusion
Choosing a nursing specialty is a significant decision. Look closely at each specialty’s essential requirements, kind of patient contact, and working environment. Once you have an idea about your interests, hobbies, values, and strengths, you can start exploring nursing specialties that fit your criteria.
FAQs
Q. What Should I Consider When Choosing a Nursing Specialty?
Consider your interests, strengths, and values, as well as the requirements and demands in pursuing the specialty and job opportunities.
Q. Can I Change Specialties Later in My Career?
Yes, you can change specialties later in your career. There might be requirements for additional education and experience.
Q. What Are the Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties?
Some specialties, such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Orthopedic Nurses, and Pain Management Nurses, have higher salaries than other specialties.
Q. How Do I Know If a Nursing Specialty is a Good Fit for Me?
Explore your interests, strengths, values, and goals with healthcare professionals and mentors. Shadowing other nurses in the specialty you’re curious about is an excellent way to get hands-on experience.
Q. Are There Any Nursing Specialties That Are in High Demand?
There is an increasing demand for critical care nurses, pediatric nurses, neonatal nurses, and psychiatric nurses.
