Nursing Specialties

With so many nursing specialties, it can be hard to decide what type would be a good fit for you. From an oncology nurse to a nurse practitioner, there is a type of nurse for every interest. Below you can find a list of different types of nurses and descriptions for some of the fastest-growing nursing specialties.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Registered Nurses (RN) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Most registered nurses work in a team with physicians and other health care specialists in various settings.

Cardiac Nurse

One of the leading causes of death today is heart disease. The demand for cardiac nurses continues to grow with the rising number of patients affected with heartrelated problems. As a cardiac nurse, you will also assist with surgical procedures such as bypass, angioplasty, or pacemaker surgery.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a highly trained nurse that specializes in assisting with anesthesia during surgeries. CRNA’S make up some of the highestpaid nurse specialties in the medical field due to the high demand of these nurses in surgical settings and detailed training they receive. In order to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, you must complete a degree from a graduate level program.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

Clinical nurse specialists are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), who provide direct patient care by working with other nurses and staff to improve the quality of care a patient receives.

Critical Care Nurse

Critical Care Nurses are very similar to Registered Nurses, especially in education level, but the main difference is a critical care nurse is specifically trained for emergency situations. A critical care nurse can be expected to tend to serious wounds and monitoring life support systems in stressful scenarios.

• ER Nurse

With their team in the emergency room, an ER nurse performs an array of tasks after careful evaluation and stabilization of a patient. An ER nurse can be expected to determine proper medication administration by reviewing a patient’s medical charts, as well tend to basic wounds or ailments.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) are specifically trained in primary health care services for all ages. Normal duties of a family nurse practitioner include diagnosing and treating illnesses, physical exams, diagnostic testing and prescribing medications.

Geriatric Nursing

A geriatric nurse specializes in the treatment of older patients in order to provide care for injuries or ailments, illness and maintain their quality of life. In addition to caring for older patients, they can also anticipate future care for their patients and longterm illnesses such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.

Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/or Nurse)

A perioperative nurse, also known as a surgical nurse or an operating room nurse, focuses on pre- and postoperation care for a patient. They can set up a surgical room for operations, manage the tools for operations, and apply bandages during surgeries to control and maintain the bleeding of a patient.

Mental Health Nurse

A mental health nurse specializes in the diagnosis and treating of psychological disorders in patients. Counseling services are also often an essential duty within

this nursing discipline.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are responsible for teaching nursing students about caring for patients. They may teach comprehensive lessons about nursing in general, or focus on specific areas of nursing

Nurse Manager

The role of a nurse manager is that of a supervisory clinical path. Many nurse managers move into an administrative role and handle tasks that include recruitment of nurses, creating schedules and make decisions regarding budget and management.

Nurse Midwife

A nurse midwife specializes in the care of pregnant women. They also assist in labor and delivery, as well as in prenatal appointments. Nurse midwives continue their care after the delivery room by educating and counseling new mothers on adjusting to life with a newborn.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers, delivering advanced nursing services to patients and their families. They may also perform physical examinations, order testing and prescribe medications.