Why Specialize
Once you’re a Registered Nurse you can take your career in so many new directions by specializing in an area you really enjoy.
Boost your career in every way
Specializing will give you greater responsibilities and a potentially higher salary, and you’ll have a new level of confidence and go even deeper into what you love to do.
Here’s where to start
With over 90 specialties, you’ve got a lot to choose from. We’ve divided them into categories to help you narrow down the ones that might intrigue you the most.
Community
Treat, educate, and help improve the well-being of people in a certain areas.
View 23 specialties
View 23 specialties
Emergency
Care for patients in life-threatening situations caused by trauma or injury.
View 7 specialties
View 7 specialties
Family
Look after expectant mothers, babies, children, and the elderly.
View 19 specialties
View 19 specialties
Long-term
Provide care for patients with chronic conditions and diseases.
View 25 specialties
View 25 specialties
Management
Work towards quality, efficiency, and excellence in the practice of healthcare.
View 17 specialties
View 17 specialties
Surgical
Care for patients before, during and after medical procedures.
View 6 specialties
View 6 specialties
Take the quiz
Which specialty is a good match for you? Take our quiz to find out.
No matter how far you are in your nursing journey, there’s a specialty to suit you. Start the quiz by choosing one of these which describes you.
Something for everyone
Every specialty has its own unique attributes, which can help you figure out which ones might fit your personality.
- Fast-pacedReact and make decisions quickly in demanding conditions.
View 17 specialties - Higher salaryEarn more by having advanced skills and responsibilities.
View 12 specialties - IndependentWork on your own or even start your own practice.
View 46 specialties - ManagerialOversee other nurses and help improve healthcare for all.
View 22 specialties - Out of hospitalTreat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
View 18 specialties - Patient-facingWork hands-on, directly with patients.
View 84 specialties - Research-orientedAnalyze data and discover new ways to help patients.
View 18 specialties - StructuredFollow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
View 70 specialties - VariedTake on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
View 85 specialties
Specialties in demand
With increased expertise and skills, you’ll enjoy more opportunities, higher earnings and the chance to do work that’s meaningful to you.
- Telemetry Nurse Career GuideExplore the critical role of Telemetry Nursing, also known as Progressive Care Nursing, including the key responsibilities, advanced training, and their impact on cardiac patient care. These nurses excel in fast-paced environments, rapidly responding to patient needs. Ideal for quick-thinking problem solvers, Telemetry Nursing offers a challenging yet rewarding career in cardiac care.
- Nurse PractitionerEverything 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.
- Perioperative NursePerioperative 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.
In their own words
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01
I get to guide women through pregnancy, through gynecological problems, and probably the most exciting part of my day is that I get to deliver babies.”
Jamie
Certified Nurse Midwife
02
My favorite thing about working in the emergency room is that no two shifts are the same.”
Avery
Emergency Nurse
Innovation in their own way
As a nurse you can focus on a range of fascinating specialties. Your creative thinking could lead to new innovations, changing health for patients all around the world.
More inspiration about nurse-led innovation
Growing from a single hackathon to a global platform for nurse-led innovation, NurseHack4Health has been empowering nursing teams to design bold, scalable solutions for five years. This year’s Pitch-A-Thon showcases the breadth of nursing ingenuity, from AI-driven maternal health tools and sensory-based care innovations to solar-powered dialysis and digital workforce solutions, demonstrating how nurses everywhere are transforming healthcare.2025-11-11T15:04:29.850Z
A groundbreaking hybrid program from Duke Health and Johnson & Johnson is equipping nurse practitioners (NPs) with leadership and business acumen tools to design and launch NP-run primary care and behavioral health enterprises in limited-resource settings. Learn how 20 NPs are expanding access, advancing equity, and empowering community-driven care.2025-10-08T21:19:16.836Z
In a novel and impactful model, Ascension is transforming healthcare innovation by pairing nurse operators with practice-based nurse scientists. This partnership blends operational expertise with scientific rigor, turning frontline insights into scalable, evidence-based solutions. From reducing falls in emergency departments to improving retention and safety, the approach delivers measurable impact and empowers nurses to lead change.2025-09-04T14:04:43.417Z
Find out more about the different nursing specialties.
