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Job Profile: Registered Nurse

RN Specialties by Organ or Body System type

RNs specializing in treatment of a particular organ or body system usually are employed in specialty physicians’ offices or outpatient care facilities, although some are employed in hospital specialty or critical-care units.

• For example, cardiac and vascular nurses treat patients with coronary heart disease and those who have had heart surgery, providing services such as postoperative rehabilitation.

• Dermatology nurses treat patients with disorders of the skin, such as skin cancer and psoriasis.

• Gastroenterology nurses treat patients with digestive and intestinal disorders, including ulcers, acid reflux disease and abdominal bleeding. Some nurses in this field also specialize in endoscopic procedures, which look inside the gastrointestinal tract using a tube equipped with a light and a camera that can capture images of diseased tissue.

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• Gynecology nurses provide care to women with disorders of the reproductive system, including endometriosis, cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.

• Nephrology nurses care for patients with kidney disease caused by diabetes, hypertension or substance abuse.

• Neuroscience nurses care for patients with dysfunctions of the nervous system, including brain and spinal cord injuries and seizures.

• Ophthalmic nurses provide care to patients with disorders of the eyes, including blindness and glaucoma, and to patients undergoing eye surgery.

• Orthopedic nurses care for patients with muscular and skeletal problems, including arthritis, bone fractures and muscular dystrophy.

• Otorhinolaryngology nurses care for patients with ear, nose and throat disorders, such as cleft palates, allergies and sinus disorders.

• Respiratory nurses provide care to patients with respiratory disorders such as asthma, tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis.

• Urology nurses care for patients with disorders of the kidneys, urinary tract and male reproductive organs, including infections, kidney and bladder stones, and cancers.