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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
Emergency
Care for patients in life-threatening situations caused by trauma or injury.
View 7 specialties
Family
Look after expectant mothers, babies, children, and the elderly.
View 19 specialties
Long-term
Provide care for patients with chronic conditions and diseases.
View 25 specialties
Management
Work towards quality, efficiency, and excellence in the practice of healthcare.
View 17 specialties
Surgical
Care for patients before, during and after medical procedures.
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.

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 Guide
  • 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.
  • 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.

In their own words

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01
Headshot of Jamie Hellman
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
Headshot of Avery Huggins
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
Find out more about the different nursing specialties.
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
Group of smiling nurses in scrubs holding folders
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