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
At Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, the nursing innovation unit started by tackling everyday frustrations, like moving printers and improving communication, and has since evolved into a powerhouse for workflow and care delivery transformation. Find out why the initiative started, what key structural supports make it successful, and how these nurse-led innovations are now scaling across the system.2025-04-04T19:57:18.113Z
The Safer Together initiative highlights the critical link between workforce safety and patient care. By fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, it empowers healthcare workers and improves safety for both patients and providers. Learn how the initiative focuses on creating an environment of shared responsibility where everyone plays a part in ensuring safety.2025-04-04T19:57:10.588Z
A new toolkit from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and supported by Johnson & Johnson Foundation provides actionable steps for nurse leaders to scale innovative care models that improve both patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction. Below, explore six steps for engaging frontline staff and building cross-disciplinary teams to foster sustainable and impactful change.2025-02-05T17:54:52.369Z
Find out more about the different nursing specialties.
