Guide to Nursing Specializations and Concentrations

Ambulatory care nurses, or outpatient care nurses, provide care to patients in outpatient venues, nonacute surgical and diagnostic settings, and telehealth nursing. These nurses function as care coordinators and transition managers, collaborating with patients and healthcare providers to help ensure a continuum of care. They might assist with same-day minor surgeries, or carry out diagnostic tests. Ambulatory care nurses often work in physicians’ offices.

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Healthcare systems have opportunities for nurses interested in the business side of the field. Nurses who study business can work as nurse administrators or nurse executives, applying their knowledge at the senior management and executive level. Some nurses become entrepreneurs, establishing their own businesses to fill a need in the healthcare industry.

The field of bariatrics deals with the prevention and treatment of obesity. Bariatric nurses specialize in this area, working with bariatric doctors and educating patients as they carry out their weight loss plans. Sometimes bariatrics involves weight loss surgeries; in this case bariatric nurses may work closely with surgeons.

Anyone who has attended camp knows accidents are bound to happen. Camp nurses work as the resident healthcare professionals at camps, particularly those far from any hospitals or healthcare facilities. Camp nurses provide first aid, administer medications, and teach campers about health promotion and illness prevention in the wild.

Cardiac nurses specialize in heart health. They may help treat and educate patients with both chronic and acute conditions, working in outpatient or inpatient settings. Many cardiac nurses also care for patients before, during, and after cardiac surgery.

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Cardiac cath lab nurses work primarily in catheterization labs. They collaborate with doctors and others on the healthcare team in carrying out cardiac procedures. Often their jobs also involve preparing patients for, and educating patients about, the cardiac catheterization procedure and how to reduce the risk of heart disease in their daily lives.

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Case management nurses help coordinate effective and efficient care for individual patients in a variety of settings. They plan the implementation of resources for patients in strategic ways over time with the goal of cost containment. Case management nurses often advocate for patients and families.

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Clinical nurse leaders work in management positions at the clinical level. They coordinate patient care with evidence-based practice. Clinical nurse leaders often work on an interdisciplinary team with nurse practitioners (NPs), physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and clinical nurse specialists to design and implement the best clinical care for patients.

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Clinical nurse specialists work in advanced nursing roles, providing direct clinical care to patients. They can diagnose patients and create treatment plans. Because of their expertise, these specialists may take on additional roles, like providing clinical consulting services or carrying out research.

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Community health nurses take on the essential role of identifying health problems in their communities and offering holistic healthcare to vulnerable or at-risk populations. These patients may not be able to afford healthcare services, or they might struggle with precarious situations. Community nurses often work in community health centers, schools, correctional facilities, public health departments, and even religious organizations.

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Sometimes called holistic nurses, complementary health nurses augment their healthcare practice with alternative forms of healthcare, like meditation, therapeutic massage, hypnosis, and other holistic exercises. Complementary nurses work as RNs or NPs, so they carry out these practices in addition to their regular nursing responsibilities.

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Correctional nurses provide healthcare services to inmates in jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers, and other correctional facilities. They care for chronic and acute conditions, and they are trained on how to deal with situations unique to correctional facilities.

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Critical care nurses work in emergency settings. They provide care to acutely or critically ill patients, often working in the emergency room, intensive care unit, or burn centers. They provide crucial services, keeping patients alive by monitoring life support systems and tending to serious wounds.

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These nurses work with dermatologists, aiding people with their skin health. Patients with skin cancer, cystic acne, or other skin conditions visit dermatologists; dermatology nurses educate patients about their skin and various treatments. They also provide pre and postsurgery care for individuals who undergo certain cosmetic surgeries.

Nurses who specialize in developmental disabilities provide care to patients with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, or Fragile X syndrome. These nursing professionals educate patients and their families about the disorder, and they help patients with skills like speech and movement.

Diabetes nurses need advanced degrees for this patient-facing role. They aid patients with diabetes, helping them monitor their blood sugar to avoid nerve and organ damage. Education makes up a large part of their role too; they teach patients how to stabilize their blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices.

Individuals with severe kidney disease turn to dialysis, which replaces the kidneys’ function of filtering blood. Dialysis nurses administer the process of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for patients who need it. These nurses teach patients about their conditions, monitor the dialysis process, and assess patients before and after treatment.

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Domestic violence nurses work within the forensic nursing field, specifically aiding survivors of physical abuse in domestic settings. They collect and record information about the patient’s history, and they physically examine and evaluate patients. They also work with law enforcement and sometimes must testify in court on behalf of patients.

Emergency nurses work in the ER departments of hospitals, aiding people in critical condition or with life-threatening injuries. They carry out crucial decisions based on triage, stabilize patients, and are central to the plan of care.

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All nurses must deal with ethical issues during their day-to-day responsibilities and decision-making. Nurses who are interested in healthcare ethics can work as consultants or educators on the topic, teaching other healthcare professionals about nursing ethics. Nurses could also serve on their healthcare organization’s ethics committee or board. Nurse Ethicists are gaining traction as an advanced practice specialty.

Flight and transport nurses work on medical aircrafts, providing emergency healthcare services to patients being transported to hospitals. Some flight nurses work in the military, caring for soldiers injured in combat. Their responsibilities include providing life-saving emergency care during transport to a hospital.

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Forensic nurses work with survivors of violence and other types of abuse. They receive special training to care for these patients in a sensitive manner. Forensic nurses also take on a cross-disciplinary role in the criminal justice system, coordinating with law enforcement and providing testimony in court.

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Gastroenterology nurses provide care to patients with digestive or gastrointestinal illnesses. They might help conditions such as ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease. These nurses care for patients undergoing procedures such as colonoscopies, and they teach patients how to manage their conditions through diet and lifestyle changes.

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Genetics nurses specialize in helping people who have a greater risk of certain diseases due to their genetic heritage and makeup. Those illnesses and diseases might include Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or heart disease, among others. Genetics nurses sometimes participate in research, performing tests and analyzing hereditary risk factors.

Geriatric nurses concentrate on working with older adults, helping to treat their illnesses and maintain their quality of life as they age. They help physicians care for patients with conditions specific to older adults, like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer, osteoporosis, or arthritis.

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As advanced practice nurses, these NPs independently provide care for older and aging adults. They meet with patients in later stages of life, diagnosing them and creating treatment plans. Gerontological NPs can prescribe medication independently in some states, while other states require these NPs to enter agreements with physicians to write prescriptions.

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Gynecology or obstetric nurses, also called OB/GYN nurses, work in women’s health clinics and hospital departments. They are a central part of the healthcare teams, providing care for women throughout their pregnancy and when they give birth. They also teach patients about childbirth and pregnancy, and they often take on a liaison role between patients and physicians.

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Health policy nurses use their expertise to help create healthcare-related legislation. They participate in research and the development of certain bills, and they work as expert advisers to policymakers. These professionals often gain experience working as registered nurses before earning an advanced degree and moving onto a policy role.

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Hematology nurses help treat patients with blood diseases and cancers, such as hemophilia or leukemia. They monitor patients’ health and record that information; hematology nurses periodically gather data for research purposes too. Some hematology nurses specialize in working with children, while others solely work with adults.

HIV/AIDS nurses take care of patients suffering from this disease. A large part of these nursing professionals’ jobs involves educating patients and their families about HIV/AIDS, particularly since the disease comes with a stigma and misinformation. They also monitor patients and administer medications.

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When providing care, holistic nurses take into account a patient’s mental and emotional health in addition to their physical health. They often engage in alternative therapies, like meditation and massage. Holistic nurses may offer wellness coaching too, guiding patients with lifestyle changes to help them pursue healthier lives.

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Home health care nurses provide health services to patients in their own home. They work with individuals who may need help with mobility or daily treatments, such as older adults or people with disabilities. Home health nurses also carry out tasks like assessing patients or administering infusions.

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Hospice/palliative nurses provide holistic care to patients with severe illness, chronic conditions, or terminal conditions, minimizing pain and keeping patients comfortable. They work under the supervision of physicians and advanced practice registered nurses in hospitals, residential care facilities, and in patients’ homes.

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Independent nurse contractors provide a variety of patient services on a contract basis at different healthcare facilities and hospitals. These nurses work on an as-needed, temporary basis in specific practice areas or specialties. They can also work as “per diem” consultants.

These nurses identify, create, and apply best practices for managing infections, maintaining sanitary conditions, and treating and preventing patient infections. They supervise other nurses about how to treat, control, and eliminate infections. Infection control nurses are also responsible for notifying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about infectious threats.

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This emerging field applies nursing training and expertise in computer science and information technology to the management of data and communications in nursing, with an emphasis on increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the quality of patient care.

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These registered nurses specialize in the administration of medications and other fluids through an intravenous line, central line, or venous access port. They manage intravenous therapy, maintain arterial catheters, and monitor patients for complications.

Registered nurses with U.S. nursing degrees in all specialties will find ample employment opportunities as international nurses. These nurses typically work on a contractual basis for a few weeks or more in countries across the world.

An L&D nurse works under the supervision of a physician or nurse midwife, caring for pregnant women and infants throughout labor, delivery, and the postpartum phase. These registered nurses monitor the woman’s vital signs and progress during labor and delivery and provide emotional support.

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While lactation consultants come from a variety of healthcare backgrounds, the field attracts many registered nurses. Lactation consultants and counselors instruct, advise, and support women preparing to chestfeed their newborns and educate new mothers to overcome difficulties with chestfeeding.

Legal nurse consultants assist attorneys, healthcare staff, claims adjusters, and patients with reviewing and researching healthcare records and preparing testimony. They can serve as expert witnesses in medical-related court cases, such as personal injury and malpractice. These consultants find employment in law offices, insurance companies, healthcare facilities, and corporate legal departments.

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LPNs may enter nursing after approximately one year of training, without earning an ADN or a BSN degree. They provide several services, including monitoring vital signs, administering medication, and assisting registered nurses and physicians.

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This nursing specialty focuses on the needs of patients who require extended care related to illness and disabilities. Long-term care nurses provide assistance to patients across the lifespan, especially the elderly, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, hospitals, and skilled nursing centers.

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Medical-surgical nurses provide patient care to adults with a variety of complex medical conditions, as well as before and after surgical procedures. Depending on the medical setting, they evaluate patient condition, prioritize patient needs, and are central to the healthcare team in coordinating patient care. These nurses often pursue specializations in subfields such as orthopedics, wound care, and oncology.

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These registered nurses work in all branches of the U.S. armed forces, caring for active-duty personnel, their dependents, and veterans on military bases and other government locations. In deployed areas and during wartime, they provide healthcare to military personnel as needed, including treating life-threatening injuries and preparing patients for surgery.

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These nurses treat patients and promote well-being in underdeveloped regions of the world, either as volunteers or paid employees of nonprofit organizations such as churches or religious foundations. They provide a variety of patient services and educate the population on preventive care, nutrition, and other health issues.

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These highly specialized registered nurses provide immediate care for premature and severely ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care units of general hospitals and children’s hospitals. They work as part of a team of intensive care doctors, nurses, and technicians with extensive training in neonatal healthcare.

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Nephrology nurses, also called dialysis nurses, treat and educate patients with kidney disease, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, or those at risk for developing kidney-related conditions.

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Neuroscience nursing focuses on providing care to patients with injuries to the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. These nurses treat patients with head and spinal trauma from accidents or illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. They also treat patients suffering from birth defects and strokes.

These highly specialized APRNs possess extensive training administering intravenous, intramuscular, and inhaled anesthesia to patients undergoing intensive and painful surgical procedures. They conduct physical examinations and monitor anesthesia levels during these procedures.

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Nurse attorneys, registered nurses who have earned law degrees, hold licenses to practice both nursing and law. Depending on their employment setting, they may represent nurses and other healthcare professionals in court cases dealing with malpractice, personal injury, or insurance claims. They also work in research and education, serving as advocates for public policy regarding legal aspects of healthcare.

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Nurse educators provide training for nursing students and offer continuing education and professional development for experienced nurses. They design and teach classes, advise and mentor students, and design curriculum. Besides colleges and universities, these educators work in hospital-affiliated nursing schools, public health centers, and other medical facilities.

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Nurse legislators represent the nursing industry in the state and federal governments. They work in grassroots advocacy initiatives to make changes to existing laws or lobby on behalf of new legislation to assist the nursing profession.

Life-care planning nurses advocate on behalf of patients with severe injuries, chronic illnesses, and disabilities. They develop integrated plans to determine the kinds of services needed and the costs associated with long-term care, working with patients, family members, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government agencies.

A nurse midwife’s primary responsibility is to assist women during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. They also provide gynecological care and family planning services, including conducting physical exams and diagnosing and treating medical conditions.

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Among the most highly skilled nursing roles, the nurse practitioner performs many of the same responsibilities as physicians. They provide primary and specialty care to patients from a variety of backgrounds. They carry out a variety of duties including diagnosing and treating illnesses, conducting and analyzing diagnostic tests, and administering medication.

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Nurse researchers design, conduct, and publish research studies that improve healthcare outcomes, using data they create or from existing sources. In addition to nursing training, these specialists must have advanced skills in data collection and scientific research methods. They typically work in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and government agencies.

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Nurse advocates act as liaisons between patients and their healthcare providers, helping patients to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. They assist patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment options, medical costs, and procedures for insurance claims.

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Nurse entrepreneurs rely on their nursing and business skills to initiate their own business ventures within the healthcare field. They establish businesses in an array of specialized areas, including medical equipment sales, home healthcare, travel nursing agencies, coaching, and consulting services.

Nurse executives and CEOs hold senior administrative positions in healthcare organizations. They perform a variety of organizational and managerial functions including hiring and directing nursing staff, collaborating with boards and medical staff, creating and monitoring budgets, and overseeing compliance.

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Nurse managers and administrators work in hospitals, medical clinics and offices, and residential care facilities. Their duties may include hiring and training nursing staff, managing budgets and records, organizing professional development opportunities, and conducting performance reviews.

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This nursing field has developed out of the increasing emphasis in healthcare organizations to improve safety and quality patient care. Registered nurses may work as part of quality improvement teams or as quality assurance coordinators and managers, collecting data and implementing policies that improve patient care outcomes.

Nursing executives, educators, and consultants engage in clinical, academic, and general interest writing to produce textbooks, scholarly monographs, historical analyses, and popular media articles about the nursing profession. Nurse writers who work in the specific field of medical writing may produce training manuals, research reports, clinical trial reviews, and regulatory documents.

These registered nurses care for cancer patients across the lifespan, monitoring their progress, administering medication and treatments, and providing information and support to patients and family members. They typically work in teams with physicians and nurse practitioners in hospitals, cancer-treatment clinics, and hospice facilities.

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Perioperative or surgical nurses work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurse practitioners assisting with surgical care before, during, and after procedures. They prepare patients for surgery, care for them through recovery, and facilitate communication between the patient and surgeon.

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This nursing specialty focuses on the health of the eye. These registered nurses assist doctors trained in ophthalmology to assess and treat a variety of eye diseases and injuries, including blindness, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Ophthalmic nurses also care for patients before, during, and after eye surgery.

Orthopedic nurses care for people suffering from musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis, joint replacements, osteoporosis, and bone fractures. They care for patients after surgical procedures, help them regain strength and mobility when recovering from injuries, and administer and monitor pain medications.

Otorhinolaryngology nurses examine and care for patients with illnesses, disorders, and physical conditions in the head and neck. They mainly treat the ears, nose, and throat (ENT). These ENT nurses see patients of all ages — infants, teens, and adults. Many work in ENT offices but also specialty units at clinics and hospitals.

Nurses join international medical associations, religious nonprofits, and humanitarian missions to work in high-need regions — including those overseas. These nurses include RNs and LPNs who come from many backgrounds and specialize in various areas. They may work at international hospitals or clinics, focusing on laboratory work, triage, education, or community healthcare.

Pain management nurses work with physicians to create treatment plans for patients experiencing chronic or critical pain. They educate patients about traditional pain management and nonpharmacological methods. Pain management has come under increased scrutiny because of the opioid crisis, so nurses also may recommend alternative remedies such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga.

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Parish nurses, also called faith community nurses, provide healthcare that also integrates faith. Parishes, community service centers, and hospitals hire faith community nurses. The American Nurses Association officially recognized this nursing specialty in 1998.

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Pediatric endocrinology nurses assist endocrinologists in assessing and monitoring patients under 18 years of age who have endocrine disorders such as diabetes. Their role includes educating children and parents about managing conditions and performing routine bedside duties such as drawing blood and administering medications. These nurses work at hospitals, physicians’ offices, and children’s healthcare facilities.

Pediatric nurse practitioners serve as primary caregivers and educators who provide healthcare services to infants, children, and adolescents. These advanced practice registered nurses also educate families and caregivers about accessing treatment services and care for children with special healthcare needs.

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Pediatric nurses serve as advocates for children and adolescents. Their specialized training enables them to care for children and adolescents at hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers. Working with pediatricians and other healthcare professionals, these nurses perform various duties such as routine physical exams. They also comfort and educate children and their families who have healthcare concerns.

Perianesthesia nurses prepare patients for surgery. They also provide postsurgery care, treating patients feeling sick or drowsy from anesthesia. Perianesthesia nurses monitor patients postsurgery by checking their blood pressure, heart rate, and pain level to prevent adverse side effects.

During the entire pregnancy process, perinatal nurses provide care to pregnant women and their babies. They provide support in the delivery room and postpartum care. Work settings for these nurses include birth centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals.

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Patients undergo plastic surgery for many reasons: breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, burn repairs, and congenital defects. All of these patients see plastic surgery nurses who collaborate with plastic surgeons and others on the healthcare team at outpatient clinics, hospitals, and private medical facilities. Plastic surgery nurses help prepare patients for surgery through education and other treatments.

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All-hours poison information specialists counsel people who have ingested toxic substances. Poison information specialists work for poison center hotlines. Their job includes collaborating with physicians to inform people about poison treatment and prevention at outpatient centers and hospitals.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat people with mental health disorders and substance misuse issues. Working alongside psychiatrists, they create psychopharmacologic plans of care, provide psychotherapy, and conduct screenings. Their work hours may include night shifts at community mental health centers, state psychiatric facilities, or correctional facilities.

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Psychiatric nurses work with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners to carry out treatment plans and provide emotional support to patients with mild and complex mental health disorders and substance misuse issues. They serve as advocates for patients and their families, helping them access mental health services and other social services resources.

Public health nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals and community leaders to promote health and wellness across all populations. Their role requires providing healthcare education and advocacy in the community, while also assessing and monitoring health trends such as spikes in COVID-19 infections. Public health nurses have training in health education across diverse groups, enabling them to reach at-risk groups and carry out interventions.

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Pulmonary care nurses, also called respiratory nurses, treat patients with respiratory health illnesses such asthma, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis. They play an integral role in helping patients on ventilators and providing education about managing conditions. Daily duties include doing physical exams, assessing health issues, taking vital signs, and administering treatments.

Radiology nurses work on small teams with radiologists and radiology technicians to care for patients before, during, and after image-guided biopsies, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scans. They provide assessments, administer medications, and follow-up with patients and their bedside nurses. Work settings include diagnostic imaging offices, hospitals, and outpatient care facilities.

Earning an RN license serves as an entry point into nursing. Many RNs pursue specialties after gaining experience performing routine nursing care. An RN’s multifaceted duties change day-to-day. A routine day may include communicating and coordinating with other members of the healthcare team, administering medications, observing and monitoring patients, assessing vital signs, educating patients and families, and admitting and discharging patients.

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Many patients with disabilities, injuries, or chronic diseases must make lifestyle changes. Rehabilitation nurses at inpatient and outpatient facilities help these patients adapt. Because each case brings unique challenges, nurses must tailor plans of care and daily activities to each patient to help them achieve maximum independence. Nurses in a rehab setting often function in supervisor or managerial roles.

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Reproductive nurses (also called fertility nurses) treat and counsel patients having trouble conceiving a baby or women experiencing menopause. At fertility clinics and hospitals, they educate individuals and couples about treatment options and administer ultrasounds and blood tests. These nurses also perform administrative tasks.

Rheumatology nurses care for patients with rheumatic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. At doctors’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient centers, they focus on helping patients ease their discomfort, fatigue, and pain through medications and therapy. This could include administering infusions or teaching patients how to make injections at home.

Children and teenagers rely on school nurses for physical, emotional, and mental health services. School nurses work with school administrators to provide input and lead discussions within school districts. Each day brings varied responsibilities that may include administering health screenings, managing health records, and making referrals.

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Subacute nurses provide observation and nursing care to patients rehabbing from strokes, cardiac disease, cancer, knee fractures, and brain injuries. Instead of an extended hospital stay, these patients heal in subacute care facilities mostly on a short-term basis until they can maximize their independence and transfer to a lower-care facility.

Substance abuse nurses provide medical and emotional support to people with substance addictions. Work settings primarily include outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, detox centers, prisons, and hospitals. They help people find social services and support groups such as narcotics anonymous.

Supplemental, or agency nurses, work as freelancers. The nursing shortage has created a constant demand for agency nurses. Understaffed hospitals and health centers use staffing agencies to hire supplemental nurses for temporary assignments.

Surgical nurses support patients during the entire operating process. They prepare patients for surgery, work in the operating room, and monitor patients in recovery. They work on teams with surgeons, surgical technicians, and anesthesiologists. During surgery they may pass tools to a surgeon, sterilize equipment, or serve as a circulating nurse.

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Telemetry nurses work in the telemetry units of hospitals and clinical facilities where patients require continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. These nurses commonly care for patients recovering from cardiac conditions, and they also work closely with cardiologists during procedures.

Patients can get advice and assessments over the phone from telephone triage nurses. Telephone triage nurses review patients’ medical histories and direct them to seek appropriate medical care. They also serve as patient advocates.

Toxicology nurses work in emergency rooms and intensive care units. Others work for poison center hotlines. They treat patients with venomous bites from animals, overdoses, or sick patients who have purposefully or mistakenly ingested toxic materials.

Established in 1955, transcultural nursing provides culturally sensitive care to patients. They serve as a communication link among patients, families, and other healthcare providers. Transcultural nurses understand how a person’s ethnicity, religion, and race may influence their experiences in accessing and receiving healthcare. They work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and community health centers.

Transplant nurses, also called transplant coordinators, play an important role in the process of organ and tissue donation. They prepare the donors and recipients for surgery and monitor patients in recovery. Transplant nurses also educate patients and families about leading a healthy lifestyle. Job responsibilities include informing patients about the risks of receiving an organ transplant.

Trauma nurses work in hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units where critically ill or wounded patients need life-saving care. They perform life support skills such as CPR and administer intravenous fluids to stabilize patients. Trauma nurses often prepare patients for emergency surgery and collaborate with surgeons.

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Becoming a travel nurse offers the opportunity to fill vacant positions at hospitals and clinics around the United States — and the world. Nursing staffing agencies place travel nurses in these temporary positions where they carry out RN duties. For their service, travel nurses receive above average salaries and housing benefits that include agency-provided housing or tax-free housing stipends.

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Triage nurses commonly work in emergency rooms. Their job requires quickly evaluating patients, prioritizing patient care, and performing emergency treatment when needed. Triage nurses often serve as a patient’s first point of contact.

Urology nurses treat patients with urinary infections, kidney stones, and cancer. Urologic nurses work with doctors to perform exams and determine the best treatment method for patients. They often work in private physicians’ offices and urology clinics.

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