The broad scope of the nursing profession provides you with an opportunity to explore the different nursing specialties and pursue a pathway that aligns with your interests and strengths. Due to the nursing shortage in the healthcare field, there are many nursing specialties in demand, making this an excellent time to advance your education by enrolling in an online RN to BSN program.
What Are Nursing Specialties?
Within the field of nursing, there are distinct nursing specialties that focus on certain areas of healthcare or particular populations who need treatment. According to Johnson & Johnson, most nursing specialties require advanced education and specialized training.
10 Different Nursing Specialties
While there are many different nursing specialties within the profession, these are the 10 nursing specialties in demand right now:
Nursing Informatics
Informatics Nurse Job Description
Nursing informatics is an integrative nursing specialty, and as defined by the American Nurses Association, it combines the fields of nursing, computer science and information science. Informatics nurses often work on the administrative side of the healthcare field, and they typically are responsible for implementing technology solutions, training nurses and ensuring that the facility takes a data-based approach to patient care.
Education Requirements
Nurses who want to work in informatics should be registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree with a specialized focus in informatics.
Job Outlook for Critical Care Nursing Professionals
The field of nursing overall is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average when compared to other occupations. Specialized positions in informatics are expected to be in higher demand, particularly as hospitals and other healthcare facilities work to enact a precise, data-based approach to patient care.
Family Nurse Practitioner
FNP Job Description
Family nurse practitioners, or FNPs, are considered advanced practice registered nurses. These nurses specialize in providing family-focused healthcare services, often emphasizing the importance of preventative care. Family nurse practitioners can provide care, create personalized treatment plans and prescribe medications for their patients.
Education Requirements
You must earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as a master’s degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner. However, most nurse practitioners opt to pursue a doctorate in nursing practice to specialize as a nurse practitioner.
Job Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioner Professionals
There is expected to be heightened demand for FNPs, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicting 38 percent job growth in this field between 2022 and 2032.
Nurse Researcher
Nurse Researcher Job Description
Clinical nurse researchers play an active role on medical research teams to continue to advance the healthcare field as a whole. The roles and responsibilities of a nurse researcher will vary significantly based on the type of study they are working on.
Education Requirements
Clinical nurse researchers should have a bachelor’s degree, but many opt to pursue an advanced nursing degree to remain competitive in the field.
Job Outlook for Nurse Researchers
The BLS anticipates that the field of medical science, which includes nurse researchers, will grow by about 10 percent between 2022 and 2032.
Geriatric Nursing
Geriatric Nurse Job Description
Geriatric nurses primarily work with older patients, providing them with the specialized and personalized care that they need in the latter stages of their lives. Geriatric nurses not only work to care for their patients and ensure that their basic needs are met, but they also work to advocate for this vulnerable population.
Education Requirements
The geriatric nursing specialty typically requires nurses to have a bachelor’s degree as well as significant professional experience working with elderly patients. Nurses also may opt to pursue a professional certificate for geriatric nursing.
Job Outlook for Geriatric Nursing Professionals
Due to the aging population, there is expected to be an increased demand for geriatric nurses. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Oncology Nursing
Oncology Nurse Job Description
Oncology nurses work directly with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Nurses who specialize in oncology care prioritize early detection, prevention, effective treatment and management of symptoms related to the disease and treatment.
Education Requirements
Oncology nurses must be registered nurses, and while an oncology certification is not required by law, many employers prefer oncology nurses to be certified to verify that they have the specialized skills required for this field.
Job Outlook for Oncology Nursing Professional
With thousands upon thousands of patients facing cancer diagnoses each year, there is always a demand for specialized oncology nurses. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric Nurse Job Description
Pediatric nursing is a specialized nursing field in which nurses work specifically with young patients from birth until the age of 18. Pediatric nurses prioritize preventative care, and they often take a comprehensive approach to healthcare, ensuring that their patients are receiving the care they need as they develop and grow.
Education Requirements
Pediatric nurses must be registered nurses who also have significant professional experience working with young patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Job Outlook for Pediatric Nursing Professional
The field of pediatric nursing is expected to continue to grow, particularly as families seek specialized care for their young ones. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Neonatal Nursing
Neonatal Nurse Job Description
Neonatal nursing is a subset of pediatric nursing. Neonatal nurses primarily work with newborn patients in a hospital setting who have been born prematurely or suffering from other health complications, such as birth defects or infections.
Education Requirements
Neonatal nurses must be registered nurses who have significant professional experience working with this population. While not required legally, many neonatal nurses pursue additional certifications to enhance their skill set and provide their patients with the best possible care.
Job Outlook for Neonatal Nursing Professional
Given the fact that these nurses provide specialized care in a hospital setting, there will continue to be a demand for neonatal nurses. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurse Job Description
Public health nursing is a specialized nursing practice that focuses on protecting, informing and advocating for an entire population. Public health nursing combines nursing expertise with extensive knowledge of social and public health sciences.
Education Requirements
Public health nurses are registered nurses who opt to work in a public health setting and gain significant professional experience in this area.
Job Outlook for Public Health Nursing Professionals
With the growing emphasis on preventative care and the need for comprehensive public health programs, the job outlook for public health nurses is positive. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Emergency Nursing
Emergency Nurse Job Description
Emergency nurses work in emergency rooms at hospitals and other healthcare facilities to provide patients with life-saving care. There are specializations within emergency nursing, such as stroke, cardiac, burn, pediatric and disaster response.
Education Requirements
Emergency nurses must be registered nurses who have significant professional experience working in emergency room settings. While not required by law, there may be certification programs available that can help advance your career in emergency nursing.
Job Outlook for Emergency Nursing Professionals
A vast majority of people rely on emergency care services, even for basic healthcare needs, which is increasing the demand for qualified emergency nurses. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
Dialysis Nursing
Dialysis Nurse Job Description
Dialysis nurses are specialized nurses who help administer the dialysis treatments that patients require for kidney disease. Dialysis nurses work in dialysis clinics, acute care clinics or in home-based settings.
Education Requirements
Dialysis nurses must be registered nurses with significant professional experience providing dialysis treatment. To earn a dialysis certification, nurses must complete between 2,000 and 3,000 professional hours.
Job Outlook for Dialysis Nursing Professionals
With an increasing number of patients requiring dialysis, there will be continued demand for dialysis nurses. The number of job opportunities for these registered nurses is expected to grow by about six percent between 2022 and 2032.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Specialization for You
As you consider the various nursing specialties available, you will want to prioritize your personal interests as well as your professional strengths as a nurse.
The Importance of Matching Passion With Profession
By specializing in a particular area of nursing, you can match your passion for working with a specific population—such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or emergency care—with your professional goals, which can help you feel more fulfilled in your career. This alignment not only enhances job satisfaction but also improves the quality of care provided to patients, as you are more engaged and enthusiastic about your work.
Advantages of Specializing in Nursing
Specializing in nursing allows you to pursue niche positions in the industry which may offer further advancement or a higher earning potential over time. For example, nurses with expertise in fields like anesthesiology or neonatal care often have higher salaries and more leadership opportunities. Additionally, specializing can lead to greater job security as you possess skills that are in high demand but limited supply within the healthcare system.
Explore Different Nursing Specialties at Nevada State University
At Nevada State University, you can build upon your professional nursing foundation and advance your career through our online RN to BSN program. This innovative degree program allows you to apply your previous college credits and professional experience toward your BSN degree, allowing you to speed up earning your BSN. Through this degree program, you can explore the nursing specialties in demand and consider advanced practice nursing opportunities.
Request more information about our online degree programs today.