Patient care is becoming more necessary than ever, and there is a higher demand for medical care.
Nurses are often seen as being one of the leading aids in helping sustain the medical field and many gaps need to be filled.
Unlike a general practitioner, nurses have the chance to specialize in furthering their education.
So, let’s delve a bit deeper into what those are and what pathways are available.
Types of Nursing Specializations
Nursing specializations are a fancy way to describe extended education, which furthers into a master’s or doctoral level.
Here, a nurse will hone in on one area and focus on their expertise in completing further education and certificates.
It allows nurses to expand their scope of work and become more knowledgeable about specific areas in the hospital.
Critical Care Nursing
A critical care nurse will work in an intensive care unit, otherwise called the ICU.
This area focuses on the emergency department and provides life-sustaining aid to patients in critical condition.
Nurses who choose to work here must be knowledgeable in areas such as advanced life support, ventilator management, and hemodynamic monitoring.
Oncology Nursing
Oncology is another type of specialization where a nurse will provide oncology care.
This often has to do with aiding patients with a cancer diagnosis and helping administer chemotherapy.
While not the most difficult job, it’s highly demanding of emotional support and requires a deep understanding of cancer treatment and care.
Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric nursing is a favorite for those who love working with the younger population.
Here, nurses can work caring for newborns and adolescents, and aid with developmental needs.
They will have to be proficient in administering vaccinations, ensuring physical and mental growth, and providing excellent family care.
The nurses also have excellent communication skills and can effectively communicate with the family, treatment plans, and necessary needs.
Geriatric Nursing
On the opposite spectrum, geriatric nursing is where you would take care of elderly populations.
Here, you will help manage chronic conditions, aid in healthy aging, and ensure that they have adequate end-of-life care.
Patients will often need help with illnesses such as dementia, mobility, and polypharmacy.
Nurses specializing in their area will also need to be physically fit to help aid with fall prevention and moving patients.
Operating Room Nursing
An operating room nurse will help a surgeon alongside a qualified team of professionals in an operation.
They will help ensure that the operating room is sterile and ensure that the surgical procedure goes as planned.
In the case of an emergency, OR nurses will be responsible for aiding surgeons to help stabilize the situation.
Thus, OR nurses will need a strong understanding of surgical processes and be quick on their feet.
Nurse Anesthesia
A nurse working in anesthesia will be able to administer it to patients.
They will aid in surgical procedures and are often the people you see before and after you wake up from an operation.
They will have extensive knowledge of anesthesia and be able to monitor patients’ vitals as they are put under.
Radiology Nursing
Radiology helps radiologists with diagnosing patients needing radiology procedures.
Often, nurses will be trained to operate and maintain CT scans, MRIs, and angiograms.
They will also be taught how to read the results and administer procedures to aid with diagnosis.
This may also include administering contrast dyes, setting patients up for the right scans, and ensuring patients are comfortable.
Community Health Nursing
Community health nurses are a bit different, as they focus on community outreach.
They often promote healthy lifestyles and help prevent diseases in communities.
These nurses have a different day-to-day life than those who work in hospitals, as they work in public health departments, schools, and community clinics.
They may also work alongside other professionals to give speeches to different communities.
Mental Health Nursing
Mental health nurses will work alongside psychiatrists to help aid in mental health conditions.
They will help prescribe prescriptions for several issues such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.
They may also aid in providing medications for insomnia, PTSD, and more.
Essentially, they can work in hospitals, psychiatric wards, or community health centers.
Neonatal Nursing
If you love working with newborns, then this is the job for you.
Neonatal nursing is extremely rewarding, as you will be aiding newborns with neonatal intensive care.
While not many people can handle this job, it’s highly rewarding, as you will be able to help save a newborn’s life.
Nurses who go into this area are good at monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and monitoring newborns’ respiratory systems.
They also work alongside doctors and help communicate needs to the families of the newborn.
Career Advancement for Nurses
Career advancement often looks like either gaining a certificate or completing further education.
Often, it will highly depend on the area of expertise.
If you are looking to further expand your expertise in a specific area, then it’s best to check and see what type of education you will need.
Most nurses will need to get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Other than that, additional certificates such as an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will offer certificates for specific areas of practice.
After that, a nurse will need to undergo certain field hours working underneath someone.
That way, they can get hands-on experience working with a specific population.
If you’re interested in specializing, be sure to know that becoming a nurse in a specific area is just as demanding as specializing as a doctor.
Why Specialize?
This is often a personal question, but for the most part, specializing allows for better patient outcomes.
Doctors are often spread thin, and nurses can further their education to fill the gaps.
They will be able to make treatment decisions for patients, thus allowing more patient care.
Not only that, but nursing offers a diverse range of career paths that allow those who are pursuing a nursing degree to further their education.
It can be very limiting if you could only become a nurse.
So, they can alternatively continue their education or gain a certificate instead of entering medical school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you specialize?
That is honestly up to the individual, as specializing is expensive and does take time.
However, if you’re interested in working with a specific group of people, it can be a good choice.
What other nursing jobs are available?
You’ll need to check online, as more specializations are popping up throughout the next few years.
If you’re interested in a specific area, then be sure to do your research and contact any credentialing body.
Is specializing worth it?
While there is more pay and often more job opportunities, it’s best to specialize for the patient.
You will be making a huge difference in the quality of care and be able to aid them in recovery.