The world is always in need of good nurses. Nurses take care of patients and play a huge part in their recovery. But in today’s modern age, the role of nurses is not only limited to hospitals and clinics. There are several fields of nursing that practicing and aspiring nurses can specialize in.
Now nurses work in the corporate sector, law firms, and educational roles. Different fields require competent nurses. And there are different educational or certification requirements for different specializations. If you wish to become a nurse, you might get confused about which path to choose with so many options. You need to determine which field you want to work in first and then attain the required education and license to start practicing. Here are seven fields you must check out.
1. Critical Care and ICU Nurse (CCRN)
As the name suggests, CCRNs provide care to and look after patients that are admitted to emergency rooms or intensive care units ICU. CCRNs provide trauma-based and emergency medical care to patients. As a critical care nurse, you will assist physicians and nursing staff, provide emergency intervention and treatment, help in the care of wounded or critically ill patients, or perform some tasks for patients in critical care.
To be a CCRN, you need to have an ADN at least and also be a licensed registered nurse. But if you pursue a BSN, you can get a better salary. You can enroll in an online degree like the RN to BSN program by La Salle to attain higher education qualifications and improve your competency and expertise with a higher degree.
2. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
You can opt for this specialization if you have an interest in the medical field. CRNAs receive proper, detailed training in surgical settings. A certified registered nurse anesthetist specializes in helping with anesthesia during surgeries. CRNAs are highly trained and also highly demanded. Nurse anesthetists earn very high salaries, and their expected job growth rate is 16%.
To become a CRNA, you need to have an MSN, RN license, and at least one year of experience in the acute care setting. This is a specialization that requires much more training since the nature of work is sensitive, as you have to work in surgical settings.
3. Dialysis Nurse
People who suffer from kidney-related issues need to get their blood filtered from unwanted fluids and waste, and this is done with the help of dialysis equipment. The dialysis nurses specialize in operating the dialysis equipment. They look after the patients before and after the dialysis and assess any important health signs. They also provide information and educate the patients about their medication and how to take care after dialysis.
If you want to become a dialysis nurse, you will need an ADN or BSN, an RN license, and a nursing diploma. If you earn MSN as a dialysis nurse, you can advance to higher paying positions of APRN. You can also attain nephrology certifications to advance in your career.
4. Nurse Executive
If you want to become a nurse and are also interested in leadership and executive roles, this specialization is the best option. Becoming a nurse executive means you have to be a natural leader who can work as a role model and support the vision and mission of the organization you will be working for.
As a nurse executive, you will have to develop, design, and direct the process involved in patient care. With a nurse executive specialization, you get to have a leadership role in a range of disciplines like a manager, director, supervisor, and chief nursing officer. To become one, you need an ADN. You have to be a critical thinker for this role, be able to build relationships with staff, manage financial and economic operations, etc.
5. Occupational Health Nurse (OHN)
OHNs offer their services in workplaces. Nearly 3 million workers get injured every year while in their workplaces. Thus, there is a dire need for a healthcare expert to be present in office settings to assist in such matters.
An OHN brings their business knowledge and healthcare expertise together to design and promote health and safety programs in organizations they work for. They promote a culture of workplace safety. And through their programs and services, they help prevent injuries, illnesses, and workplace hazards. You will need an ADN to become an occupational health nurse, but some employers might demand a BSN qualification or OHN certification.
6. Orthopedic Nurse
As the term orthopedic suggests, these nurses specialize in care for patients who suffer from orthopedic disorders like musculoskeletal diseases and general orthopedic issues. As an orthopedic nurse, you will provide care to patients suffering from fractured bones, joint replacement, osteoporosis, and arthritis. By becoming an orthopedic nurse, you will be able to provide care for physical issues and also will be able to manage intricate diseases.
You will assist in administering pain medication, developing strategies to manage muscular or bone problems, etc. To become one, you need to have a BSN and also a license to work as an RN. The expected growth rate is 26% in this field.
7. Nurse Researcher
If you have a passion for education, research, and nursing all at the same time, then this field is perfect for you. As a nurse researcher, you will be conducting scientific studies. You will analyze data about different illnesses, interpret your findings, and then report them to improve healthcare. You will get to work in research laboratories, hospitals, and other medical settings as a nurse researcher.
As a nurse researcher, you will perform important healthcare functions that will impact the field of nursing and save lives. To be a nurse researcher, you need a BSN or MSN along with an RN license. You can also attain additional certifications to improve your capability and credibility and boost your career.
It will be surprising for you to know how many options there are in the nursing field. Aspiring nurses have several options to choose from, and even practicing nurses can specialize further. Look at these seven fields of specialization in nursing that will make you fulfill your dreams of a successful career.