With the rapid and constant evolution of the nursing field, numerous nursing specializations have emerged. The ever-increasing growth of the healthcare industry will undoubtedly lead to increased demand for qualified nurses. As the demand for nurses continues to soar, a nursing career offers vast benefits such as job opportunities, competitive salaries, and intense personal fulfillment.
With so many nursing specializations out there, it can prove quite challenging to decide which type of nursing is ideal for you. From a neonatal nurse to a travel nurse, there is a whole spectrum of nursing specializations, each with unique experiences and varying opportunities. The best thing is that you can get into the nursing field even with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline through an online ABSN program.
To best choose your nursing specialty, consider what you’re passionate about and why you’d want to become a nurse. The ideal nursing specialization for you is definitely one that resonates with your unique aptitude and personality. Below you’ll find some of the industry’s top and fastest growing nursing specialties that you may want to consider:
1. Neonatal Nurse
Neonatal nurses support and care for infants in intensive care units. These are often infants who need more specialized medical care and face an increased risk of health complications. These include premature newborns, babies with cardiac or other related birth defects, drug dependency, or genetic conditions. Typically, neonatal nurses care for such infants until they are discharged from the hospital, but they may extend this care beyond the newborn stage for some special cases.
2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a nursing specialization that offers intensive training such that you can assist in the administration of anesthesia, commonly used during surgeries. CRNA nurses are some of the nursing specialties awarded the highest salaries mainly due to their highly specialized training and the high demand in the surgical setting. However, to qualify for a certified registered nurse anesthetist program, you must have completed your graduate program.
3. Geriatric Nursing
As a geriatric nurse, you’ll specialize in caring for and treating older patients to nurse their injuries or illness toward maintaining their desired quality of life. Additionally, you’ll help anticipate long-term medical care needs for your older patients, such as future treatment of illnesses including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Consider enrolling in a recognized nursing geriatric program to further your career in the specialty.
4. Travel Nurse
As a travel nurse, you’ll have the unique opportunity to move across various locations based on your service contract, interacting with patients from numerous locations. Additionally, you’ll get your hourly payment, accompanied by your housing stipend. Besides the satisfaction that comes with learning and working in new locations as a travel nurse, you’ll also be in a position to broaden your personal and professional experience throughout your journey.
5. Dialysis Nurse
Dialysis nurses specialize in medical care that involves cleaning patients’ blood from kidney-related illnesses. These disorders often inhibit a patient’s kidney’s ability to filter out unwanted fluids and waste from their blood. You’ll receive adequate training on operating blood cleansing equipment, assessing patients before and after dialysis, and educating them about the necessary medication and aftercare.
Endnote
The nursing specializations outlined above will often offer you a competitive salary and a fulfilling work experience. Specialization enables you to focus on a unique area of practice or patient population by gaining the necessary certification requirements and work experience. By pursuing these in-demand nursing specializations, you’ll benefit significantly from increased employment opportunities, better compensation, autonomy, and the chance to further advance your career.