Understanding the breadth and depth of nursing areas is critical to identifying your career path, whether you are a prospective nursing student starting your educational journey or an experienced healthcare professional considering a career move.

Therefore, choosing a nursing career is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Health professionals can learn essential insights that will help shape their aspirations by investigating the elements, requirements, and opportunities offered by various nursing areas.

But, before you explore the nursing fields discussed in this article, it is essential to consider where and how you can avail the educational opportunities available. If you are keen to learn and practice the challenges of acute care nursing, pursuing an advanced MD degree in this will be an ideal path for you.

These programs help you with the essential knowledge and skills required to master the art of a fast-paced healthcare environment. With thorough research and selecting the most suitable online program, you can make considerable progress toward a rewarding career as either an acute-care nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse, a nurse leader, or an ICU nurse – careers that guarantee lucrative paydays.

With that said, this article will help explore a list of eight nursing specializations that are currently accessible, giving a thorough review of the alternatives and highlighting the unique features of each one.

1. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)

Licensed practical nurses play a vital role in the healthcare industry. Their duties are to provide necessary care under the supervision of their registered nurses or physicians. That may include monitoring the patient’s vital signs, administering medications, assisting with personal care tasks, collecting samples for laboratory testings, and maintaining patient records.

To become a certified Licensed practical nurse, they usually have to complete a certification program in less than a year and pass an LPN exam for the license. Once licensed, apply for focused nursing programs to climb the career ladder.

2. Nurse care manager

Nurse care managers work as registered nurses (RN).

Typical Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating patient care,
• Assessing healthcare needs,
• Developing care plans,
• Advocating for patients,
• Collaborating with healthcare teams
• Ensuring effective communication and resource utilization.

Moreover, they are also assigned to provide patients with education and support, promoting optimal health outcomes and intensive care.

To become a successful Nurse care manager, you must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and gain clinical experience as a registered nurse (RN).

3. Clinical informaticist

The responsibilities of a Clinical Informaticist include

• Analyzing healthcare data
• Designing and implementing electronic health record systems
• Training staff on technology usage
• Ensuring efficient and secure data management for improved patient care and outcomes

To become a Clinical informaticist, you need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, along with specialized training in health informatics or health care information system. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential in this role.

4. Critical care and ICU nurse

Critical care nurses (CCRNs) provide extreme care to critical or terminal patients.

Their responsibilities also include

• Monitoring their vital signs
• Administering medications
• Managing life support equipment
• Collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure positive patient outcomes.

To become a Critical care and ICU nurse, you need to have a nursing degree, either an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After completing the nursing program, gaining experience in a general medical-surgical unit is recommended before moving toward critical care.

5. Certified nurse midwife (CNM)

Being a certified nurse midwife entails providing comprehensive care to women throughout their maternity period, childbirth, and postpartum.

Here’s a breakdown of their responsibilities

• Conducting parental exams,
• Assisting in deliveries,
• Guiding with family planning to parents, and
• Offering reproductive health education and counseling.

To become a Certified midwife, you must obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program focusing on midwifery. After graduation, you must pass the national certification exam to get a Certified nurse license.

6. Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

Clinical nurse specialists have expertise in a specific area of nursing, such as critical care, oncology, or psychiatric health.

Moreover, their responsibilities include

• Providing direct patient care,
• Conducting research,
• Developing and implementing evidence-based practices, and
• Serving as educators and consultants to healthcare teams.

To become a Clinical nurse specialist, you need to earn a Master’s degree in Nursing with a specialization in clinical nursing. After completing the course, you must obtain a state license as an Advanced practiced Registered Nurse (APRN).

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7. Psychiatrist nurse practitioner

Psychiatrist nurse practitioners are responsible for

• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders,
• Prescribing medications,
• Providing therapy, and
• Collaborating with healthcare to deliver comprehensive psychiatric care.

To become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, you must first graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and obtain a license as a Registered Nurse. Then, a Master of Science in Nursing or Docter of Nursing Practice specializing in psychiatric mental health would be needed.

8. Telemetry nurse

Telemetry nurses have to keep check and balance in monitoring patients’ vital signs and cardiac rhythms using telemetry equipment.

They must also fulfill the following duties

• Provide special care to critically ill patients
• Administer medications, and
• Remain in contact with the healthcare team to ensure patient safety.

The procedure to become a Telemetry nurse is the same as a Critical care and ICU nurse, to have a nursing degree, either an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and to gain experience in a general medical-surgical unit after graduation.

Conclusion

It is essential to go through all the different fields and their pros and cons to choose the best option that fits your career goals.

You can now choose nursing as your career path or consider a change. Figure out what it takes to be a successful nurse and which category interests you. Make sure to research and learn about the qualities and skills needed to apply for a specific rule before sending in your resume to apply for a higher position.

We hope you learned something from this article. If you think we missed anything, let us know in the comments below.