Is looking into nursing specialties the right move for you to advance your career? In this blog, we will go over just a few of the endless specialty paths an RN can take to further advance their career in the medical field and help you explore pathways you might not have heard of or considered before!
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What is the difference between an RN and a Specialty RN?
An average Registered Nurse (RN) typically holds a general nursing license and is qualified to provide a broad range of patient care across various medical settings. They have the foundational knowledge and skills in areas such as medical-surgical, pediatric, and geriatric nursing.
On the other hand, a Specialty RN undergoes additional education and training in a specific area of nursing, like critical care, oncology, or neonatal care. This specialized training equips them with in-depth expertise, advanced skills, and a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs and treatments within their nursing specialties, allowing them to offer highly focused care to patients within their chosen nursing specialty
Do Nurses Have to Specialize? Why is it Important?
No, an RN does not have to pick a specialty. There is standard work in all care settings that does not require an RN to commit to a specific path. However, Specializing as an RN can be important for several reasons. First, it allows nurses to dive deeply into a particular area of interest or passion within the vast field of healthcare. Nursing specialties often open up opportunities for career advancement, higher salaries, and positions with greater responsibilities. It also contributes to the overall depth and diversity within the nursing profession, fostering innovation, research, and the development of specialized protocols that can significantly improve patient outcomes within these nursing specialties.
What steps do I need to take to Specialize as an RN?
Education:
Completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is typically the first step. Nursing specialties often require further education, such as obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Clinical Experience:
After completing the initial nursing education, gaining practical experience in various clinical settings is crucial. This provides a broad foundation in nursing and helps in discovering specific areas of interest.
Certifications and Additional Training:
Nursing specialties often involve obtaining specialized certifications or completing additional training programs. These could be offered by professional nursing organizations, hospitals, or educational institutions, focusing on specific areas such as critical care, oncology, pediatrics, etc.
Advanced Degrees:
Pursuing higher education, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, allows for deeper specialization in a particular field of nursing. Advanced degrees provide more in-depth knowledge, research opportunities, and often lead to different nursing specialties within healthcare.
Clinical Practice in the Specialized Area:
Once specialized training or education is complete, working in the chosen area of specialization is essential to gain practical experience and expertise. This hands-on experience is crucial in developing specialized skills and knowledge.
Continuous Learning:
Nursing is an evolving field, and ongoing education, attending conferences, workshops, and staying updated with the latest research and developments in the chosen specialty are essential to maintain expertise and provide the best care.
By combining education, training, certifications, and practical experience in a particular area of interest, an RN can specialize and become an expert in any field of nursing.
See Also: Becoming a Registered Nurse: 6 Important Things to Consider Before Enrolling in Nursing School
Nursing Specialties that are high in demand in 2023
Cardiac Care Nurse:
A Cardiac Care Nurse specializes in treating patients with heart conditions, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and coordinating treatments like cardiac catheterization. They also educate patients and families on heart health and collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive care in settings such as hospitals, clinics, or cardiac rehabilitation centers.
Certified Nurse Midwife:
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a healthcare professional specializing in women’s health and childbirth. Their responsibilities include providing prenatal care, assisting in labor and delivery, conducting childbirth education, performing gynecological exams, prescribing medications, and offering family planning services. CNMs emphasize holistic, patient-centered care, often working in hospitals, birthing centers, or offering home birth options, providing support and care throughout the pregnancy journey while promoting healthy childbirth experiences.
Home Health/ Hospice Nurse:
A Home Health/Hospice Nurse provides compassionate care for patients who require medical assistance in their homes or within hospice settings. They conduct assessments, manage medications, administer treatments, and provide wound care, focusing on improving patients’ comfort and quality of life. These nurses collaborate with families and healthcare teams to create personalized care plans, offer emotional support, and educate patients and their families on managing illnesses or end-of-life care. They also advocate for patients’ needs while ensuring a supportive and dignified environment.
ER Nurse:
An Emergency Room (ER) Nurse works in fast-paced, high-stress environments, providing immediate care to patients in critical conditions. Their role involves triaging patients, assessing and treating injuries or illnesses, administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to stabilize patients. ER Nurses must act swiftly and effectively, managing multiple cases simultaneously, responding to emergencies, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. They work in hospital emergency departments, handling a wide range of cases from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions, ensuring efficient and compassionate care in high-pressure situations.
Nurse Practitioner:
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who assesses, diagnoses, and treats patients across various healthcare settings. Their responsibilities include conducting physical exams, interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and developing and managing treatment plans for patients of all ages. NPs often specialize in specific areas such as family medicine, pediatrics, adult gerontology, or mental health, providing comprehensive care, emphasizing preventive health measures, and educating patients about health promotion and disease prevention.
Nurse Anesthetist:
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse specializing in anesthesia care. Their primary role involves administering anesthesia before and during surgical, obstetrical, or other medical procedures. CRNAs conduct pre-anesthetic assessments, create anesthesia plans tailored to individual patients, administer anesthesia medications, monitor vital signs throughout procedures, and manage patients’ pain and recovery after anesthesia. They collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective anesthesia care. CRNAs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, surgical centers, and clinics, providing essential anesthesia services across diverse medical specialties.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse:
A Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (NICU Nurse) specializes in caring for premature infants or newborns with critical medical needs in the neonatal intensive care unit. Their role involves providing specialized care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and managing equipment specifically designed for neonatal care. NICU Nurses collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including neonatologists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals, to deliver comprehensive care to fragile newborns. They support families emotionally, educate parents on infant care, breastfeeding, and assist in the transition of infants from critical care to less intensive settings, ensuring the best possible outcomes for these vulnerable patients.
Oncology Nurse:
An Oncology Nurse specializes in caring for patients diagnosed with cancer, offering comprehensive support throughout their cancer journey. Their responsibilities include administering chemotherapy, managing side effects, providing symptom management, and conducting patient education on treatment plans and self-care. Oncology Nurses collaborate closely with oncologists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers, offering emotional support to patients and families, guiding them through the complexities of cancer treatment, and advocating for their needs. They work in various settings such as hospitals, oncology clinics, or in-home healthcare, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by cancer.
There are all sorts of avenues a Nurse can take on their journey to a specialization. The eight we covered in this blog only scratch the surface of the nursing specialties available. If you do not see anything on this blog that you think might be the right path for you; do some more research, there are opportunities everywhere. Just be sure you know what interests you, and do some research on what certifications and schooling you might need to have completed beforehand!
Pro Tip:
The day-to-day life/workload in each of these nursing specialties can be vastly different. Make sure you do your homework on what your general work schedule would look like for each of these specializations to help narrow down what works best for your personal interests and lifestyle.
