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Find a Nursing Specialty
Jennifer LeClaire / Monster Contributing Writer
From emergency-room and operating-room nursing to pediatric and orthopedic nursing and beyond, there’s no shortage of specialties for today’s ambitious nurse.
Besides the traditional specialties – OB/GYN, nurse anesthetist and nurse practitioners – there are lesser-known subfields such as telephone-triage nursing, forensic nursing (the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings) and correctional nursing (nursing in prison settings).
While healthcare settings across the nation continue to experience nursing shortages, nurses are in particularly high demand in some subfields, including critical care (where the American Organization of Nurse Executives reports a 20 percent vacancy rate), emergency room and telemetry. Since these areas typically require nurses with higher levels of training, skills and certification, there are fewer candidates who fit the bill.
How can you zero in on the nursing specialty that will fulfill your career goals?
• New Programs Narrow the Field
• Externships Offer Hands-on Experience
nursekc1
8 months ago
4 comments
Is it really necessary to do med surg right out of school now? I am in an LPN program and many hospitals do not advertise the jobs for LPNs. Being that I love the elderly and a slower more laid back pace, would a nursing home be for me? If so what could I do to keep my skills up? Nurses in a nusring home are like charge nurses.
ksnurse08
8 months ago
2 comments
I graduated a year ago and so wanted to work in a hospital setting, this setting I found to be long 12 hours shifts at a rate of pay only 1.50 more than I made as a CNA, this was not what I went to school for as an lpn I currently work in long term care at a nursing and rehab facility. This was not what I bargained for either straight out of school yet the money is well worth it! To NuLpn check out local nursing homes, I know Fla pays lpn's about 22.00 an hour even fresh out of school in nursing homes. Until I get my rn which I start back to school this summer, nursing homes are the place to be. 8 hours shifts too!
NuLpn
8 months ago
4 comments
I'm a newly grad (LPN) in Miami. So far along with most of my classmates are having problem finding jobs. 16 out of 20 got licensed as of Nov 2008, yet only 4 got jobs. Are we NOT good enough or need further training? Someone please help? Thanks.
saqer
8 months ago
12 comments
i am warking as endoscopy technotion i likit tomutch i like to go farther to laern abut this topic
niki1122
about 1 year ago
4 comments
This article deffinatly helped me to find direction with my nursing schooling/career. I get more excited just learning these things.
didirn04
about 1 year ago
26 comments
I worked for about 2yrs on a Medical stepdown/tele floor. Now I'm in the ICU (which I never thought I'd be. lo.) But I like it alot. I eventually down the road would like to work a little bit with Dementia clients. I'm looking now in concentrating my education in geriatrics and dementia. Anyone have info?
Romine
about 1 year ago
2 comments
What are the most lucrative specialities for and the future of wound care?
armstrongcj
about 1 year ago
7334 comments
This article was very informative. I will think about the different options that I have to be a nurse.
Done
about 1 year ago
362 comments
Take advantage of as many clinical opportunites while in school, especially in critical care- the addage of "paying your dues on med/surg units" is outdated, due to RN shortages many hospitals are now offering internship programs in specialties...if your up to the challange, take it!
Account Removed
about 1 year ago
i have completed 2 yrs of medsurg experience and i want to try some speciality. i like critical care nursing,besides that i want to pursue higher education.but i am confused. i like forensic nursing,nurse anesthetist,nurse councelling or i wanted to do something that is different challenging anf interesting.could you please suggest me the available masers programs and the schools i can apply. btw i live in california
sikckb
about 1 year ago
38 comments
I am interested in woring in an ICU and find it very helpful to know that starting on a med/surg floor has valuable experience. Also I find it very comforting hospitals are taking timid unsure nursing students and helping them ease their transition to the professional side.
gospellove772003
about 1 year ago
636 comments
No matter what i plan on rolling with the punches no matter what comes i have the drive to do this
verri14a
about 1 year ago
14 comments
im geting in to this
nancyharrelson
about 1 year ago
8 comments
This is very informative information.
nancyharrelson
about 1 year ago
8 comments
This is very informative information.