Nursing Specialties

There are various types of nursing, each with its own distinct focus and requirements. Different types of nurses include registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Nursing specialties can range from pediatrics to oncology, and require specialized training and education to provide expert care in their respective areas.
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96 Specialties

Ambulatory Care Nurse
An Ambulatory Care Nurse provides pain management and general health education to patients, in non-emergency situations, outside of a hospital environment.
Burn Care Nurse
A Burn Care Nurse treats patients who have been burned by fire, hot water, oil, chemicals or electricity.
Camp Nurse
A Camp Nurse takes care of people at camps and retreats that are often located far from a hospital or healthcare facility.
Cardiac Care Nurse
A Cardiac Care Nurse cares for patients with heart diseases or conditions, from coronary artery disease to heart failure and recovery from bypass surgery.
Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse
A Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse works with patients who have catheters inserted into the heart for cardiac conditions or defects.
Case Management Nurse
A Case Management Nurse creates and coordinates long-term care plans for patients to help them be as healthy as possible.
Certified Nurse Midwife
A Certified Nurse Midwife is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who is specialized in women’s reproductive health and childbirth.
Clinical Nurse Leader
A Clinical Nurse Leader creates and coordinates long-term care plans for patients and the medical teams they work with.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
A Clinical Nurse Specialist has advanced knowledge and hands-on expertise in a chosen specialty.
Correctional Nursing
A correctional nurse delivers evidenced-based nursing to protect, promote, and optimize health and abilities; prevent illness and injury; facilitate healing; alleviate suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response with care and respect. A correctional nurse advocates for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations under the jurisdiction of the justice system.
Critical Care Nurse
A Critical Care or ICU Nurse takes care of patients who are in a critical condition or recovering from a serious medical condition.
Dermatology Nurse
A Dermatology Nurse treats and cares for patients who have skin diseases and conditions, or undergo cosmetic surgery.
Developmental Disability Nurse
A Developmental Disability or Special Needs Nurse takes care of patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and Autism.
Diabetes Nurse
A Diabetes Nurse looks after patients with diabetes, a disease that stops the body from producing or absorbing enough insulin.
Domestic Violence Nurse
A Domestic Violence Nurse works with patients who are victims of physical or emotional abuse.
Emergency Nurse
An Emergency Nurse takes care of patients in a wide range of situations, from fevers, to minor injuries and major trauma.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Explore the rewarding role of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), encompassing key responsibilities and the impact on patient care. FNPs are central to long-term, personalized healthcare, often building lasting relationships with patients.
Flight Nurse
A Flight or Transport Nurse takes care of patients who are being taken to hospitals or trauma centers on civilian and military aircrafts.
Forensic Nurse
A Forensic Nurse cares for patients who have been the victims of sexual abuse, violence and assault.
Gastroenterology Nurse
A Gastroenterology or Endoscopy Nurse works with patients who have illnesses or disorders related to the digestive system or gastrointestinal tract.
Genetics Nurse
A Genetics Nurse works with people who either have, or are at risk for hereditary diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer.
Geriatric Nurse
A Geriatric Nurse assists doctors in taking care of the mental and physical health of older patients who are at greater risk of injuries and diseases.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner is a multi-disciplined primary healthcare provider who helps patients manage the physical, mental, and social effects of aging.
Health Policy Nurse (HPN) at a Glance
As a Health Policy Nurse (HPN), your role is to aid in the research, creation and enforcement of health policies. Whether it’s new legislation surrounding healthcare accessibility, protective laws for patients and doctors, or communicating with government officials about societal health needs, HPNs are heavily relied upon advocates within the world of healthcare.
Hematology Nurse
A Hematology Nurse takes care of patients with blood disorders or diseases, such as hemophilia and leukemia.
HIV/AIDS Nurse
An HIV/AIDS Nurse helps patients with the treatment and management of this immunodeficiency disease.
Holistic Nurse
A Holistic Nurse uses medical knowledge plus complementary, alternative and integrative methods to care for the patient as a whole.
Home Health Nurse
A Home Health Nurse cares for patients in their homes, helping them with tasks that they can’t do themselves due to injury or disease, and providing relief to family members who may be primary caregivers.
Hospice Nurse
A Hospice Nurse takes care of terminally ill or injured patients at the end of their lives.
Independent Nurse Contractor
An Independent Nurse Contractor is their own boss, working on a contractual basis instead of being employed directly by a healthcare facility.
Infection Control Nurse (ICN)
Discover the vital role of an Infection Control Nurse, including key responsibilities, necessary education, and their impact on healthcare safety.
Informatics Nurse
An Informatics Nurse or Nurse Informaticist develops communication and information technologies, using medical data to improve patient care.
Infusion Nurse
An Infusion Nurse administers medication and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line, ventral line or venous access port.
International Travel Nurse
Explore the exciting role of International Travel Nursing, involving temporary assignments in global healthcare settings. These nurses adapt to various systems and cultures, often filling critical gaps during staff shortages or special projects.
Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse
Explore the essential role of a Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse, encompassing key responsibilities, required education, and their impact on maternal and newborn care.
Lactation Consultant
A Lactation Consultant helps new mothers breastfeed their babies and solve any problems that may come up.
Legal Nurse Consultant
A Legal Nurse Consultant works as a medical expert in legal cases, helping lawyers understand medical technology and healthcare related topics.
Long-Term Care Nurse
A Long-term Care Nurse looks after patients who need care for an extended period due to a disability or illness.
Managed Care Nurse
Managed Care Nurses help elderly and underserved patients, who may rely on government-funded healthcare like Medicare or Medicaid, to stay as healthy as possible.
Medical-Surgical Nurse
A Medical-Surgical Nurse has extensive knowledge that can assist doctors on the medical-surgical floor of a hospital.
Military Nurse
A Military Nurse is a member of the armed forces who cares for patients in the military all over the world and veterans in the US.
Missionary Nurse
A Missionary Nurse works through a religious non-profit, or humanitarian group, providing physical care and spiritual support to patients in underdeveloped areas of the world.
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
A Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse cares for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital.
Nephrology Nurse
A Nephrology Nurse works with patients who have kidney diseases, abnormal kidney functions or are at risk of kidney problems.
Neuroscience Nurse
A Neuroscience Nurse helps patients who experience brain and nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, strokes, and brain injuries, recover from or learn to manage their condition.
Nurse Advocate
In a nurse advocate role, you'll be the liaison between patients and doctors, to help patients understand their diagnosis and make the best decisions.
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Everything you need to know about becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), which includes the crucial role of administering anesthesia and providing anesthesia-related care to manage patients pain before, during, and after surgery.
Nurse Attorney
Explore the distinctive role of a Nurse Attorney, encompassing their key responsibilities, dual educational background in nursing and law, and their impact on the intersection of healthcare and legal systems.
Nurse Educator
A Nurse Educator teaches and trains the next generation of nurses at teaching hospitals, universities and colleges.
Nurse Entrepreneur
A Nurse Entrepreneur uses their nursing education and experience to start their own healthcare-related business.
Nurse Executive
A Nurse Executive holds a top position within a healthcare organization, making sure its goals and mission are carried out in day-to-day operations.
Nurse Life Care Planner
A Nurse Life Care Planner helps create long-term care plans for patients who need medical care for the rest of their lives due to a serious injury or chronic illness.
Nurse Manager
A Nurse Manager is in charge of hiring and supervising the nursing staff of a hospital or other healthcare organization.
Nurse Practitioner
Everything you need to know about the comprehensive role of a Nurse Practitioner, encompassing responsibilities, educational requirements, and the substantial impact of this profession in healthcare.
Nurse Writer, Author, or Historian
A Nurse Writer, Author or Historian writes and contributes to educational materials, articles, historical books, even television or movie scripts about nursing.
Obstetrics Nurse
An Obstetrics or OB/GYN Nurse cares for women during pregnancy, labor, childbirth and other reproductive health issues.
Occupational Health Nurse
An Occupational Health Nurse is charged with protecting the safety and health of people who work in hospitals, businesses, and other organizations.
Oncology Nurse
Everything you need to know about stepping into the vital role of an Oncology Nurse, including the responsibilities, educational requirements, and the profound impact of this work in cancer care.
Ophthalmic Nurse
An Ophthalmic Nurse cares for patients with eye injuries or diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts.
Orthopedic Nurse
Explore the specialized role of an Orthopedic (or Orthopaedic) Nurse, including their key responsibilities, necessary training, and their impact on patient care in musculoskeletal health.
Otorhinolaryngology Nurse
Otorhinolaryngology or an Ear, Nose, and Throat Nurse cares for patients with injuries or diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.
Pain Management Nurse
A Pain Management Nurse takes care of patients who are experiencing or are debilitated by chronic pain.
Parish Nurse
A Parish or Faith Community Nurse cares for patients within their religious community.
Patient Blood Management Nurse
A Patient Blood Management Nurse is a member of the multidisciplinary care team whose goals are to preserve and optimize the health of patient blood by practicing Patient Blood Management (PBM). PBM is a patient-centered, systematic, evidence-based approach to the care of blood that focuses on anemia management and prevention of blood-loss and bleeding, with a focus on patient safety and empowerment.
Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse
A Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse works with children under the age of eighteen who have endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, and pituitary problems.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at a Glance
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) focus on the care of children from infancy to early adulthood. Because of this, PNPs take on the role of caretaker and educator, ensuring that their patients and their families are fully informed and supported during the many stages that occur throughout young lives. In many states, PNPs can function without a physician’s oversight, allowing them to serve their patients as a primary care provider and run their own practice. If you’re looking for a career in medicine where you not only can diagnose and treat patients independently, but also serve as a trusted ally and educator to them and their families, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner may prove to be a rewarding path.
Perianesthesia Nurse
A Perianesthesia or Recovery Room Nurse works with patients who are about to go into or are regaining consciousness from anesthesia or sedation.
Perinatal Nurse
A Perinatal Nurse cares for women through preconception, pregnancy, and the weeks following the birth of their baby.
Perioperative Nurse
Perioperative nursing—also referred to as operating room (OR) or surgical nursing—specializes in patient care before, during, and after surgical and invasive procedures. Find out more about nursing career opportunities within this specialty here.
Plastic Surgery Nurse
A Plastic Surgery Nurse cares for patients who undergo cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures, such as face lifts, chemical peels, lasers, breast reconstruction, and liposuction.
Poison Information Specialist
A Poison Information Specialist is a further specialized Toxicology Nurse, trained to help people who have accidently ingested poison or are looking for information on poison.
Psychiatric Nurse
A Psychiatric or Behavioral Health Nurse cares for patients with psychiatric disorders such as mental illness, eating disorders, addiction, and substance abuse.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Everything you need to know about becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP), including a psychiatric nurse practitioner's responsibilities, education requirements, and the importance of this work in providing mental health care.
Public Health Nurse
A Public Health Nurse promotes and protects the health of people within a community.
Pulmonary Care Nurse
A Pulmonary Care or Respiratory Nurse treats patients who are suffering from lung and respiratory conditions.
Quality Improvement Nurse
A Quality Improvement Nurse helps improve the quality of care that nurses provide in a hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Radiology Nurse
A Radiology Nurse takes care of patients who are undergoing ultrasounds, MRIs, X-rays and radiation treatments.
Rehabilitation Nurse
A Rehabilitation Nurse cares for patients who have chronic illnesses or long-term disabilities.
Reproductive Nurse
A Reproductive or Fertility Nurse treats and advises couples and individuals on matters of fertility, conception, and reproduction.
Research Nurse
A Research Nurse is a scientist who works with patients during clinical trials, recording and managing data with the intent of discovering newer, better ways to provide care.
Rheumatology Nurse
A Rheumatology Nurse helps patients with rheumatic diseases that affect the joints and muscles, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, myositis, spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Lyme disease.
Rural Nurse
A Rural Nurse helps patients living in geographically and culturally isolated areas, who may have limited access to healthcare.
School Nurse
A School Nurse takes care of students from pre-K school to college, who get sick or injured in an academic setting.
Subacute Nurse
A Subacute Nurse looks after seriously ill or injured patients who require 24-hour care for a short period of time.
Substance Abuse Nurse
A Substance Abuse or Addiction Nurse helps patients who are addicted to drugs, alcohol and other substances.
Supplemental Nurse
A Supplemental or Agency Nurse works independently as freelancer, providing extra nursing help to hospitals and other healthcare facilities when their staffing is low.
Telemetry Nurse Career Guide
Telephone Triage Nurse
A Telephone Triage or Telehealth Nurse helps patients over the phone or via video chat.
Toxicology Nurse
A Toxicology Nurse takes care of patients who’ve swallowed poison, come into contact with a toxin, been bitten by a snake, or stung by a bee or wasp.
Transcultural Nurse
A Transcultural Nurse provides culturally sensitive care to patients from different ethnicities and backgrounds around the globe.
Explore These In-Demand Nursing Specialties
  • Circulating nurse at work during surgery at Bon Secours – St. Mary’s Hospital
    High Demand
    Perioperative nursing—also referred to as operating room (OR) or surgical nursing—specializes in patient care before, during, and after surgical and invasive procedures. Find out more about nursing career opportunities within this specialty here.
  • Woman in scrubs an hairnet about to receive anesthetics
    High Demand
    Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are crucial members of any surgical care team. As a CRNA, you’re responsible for bringing stellar communication skills, quality patient care, and a high level of scientific skill to each of your cases, likely to range across all disciplines.
  • Female nurse holding a newborn baby
    High Demand
    As a Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse, you’ll help care for mothers and newborns before, during, and after the birth. Your patients will look to you for information, reassurance and guidance in handling a delicate new life, new family member, and entirely new experience.

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