Top 13 Nursing Specialties for 2023

Nursing is a challenging job that demands a constant commitment to serving patients regardless of the circumstances. You need to act vigilant and stay alert to provide high-quality patient care and services. With so much pressure on your shoulder, it is also the most rewarding career option that you can have. Nursing offers diverse employment opportunities in various settings. Whether you choose to work in traditional or non-traditional roles, endless opportunities are waiting for you. However, before choosing a nursing specialization to pursue advanced roles, you must first explore nursing specialties that can bring numerous benefits. 

Here are the thirteen nursing specialties for 2023 that you can consider to opt to brighten your future. 

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

A nurse with an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). These nurses are well-qualified and trained to diagnose patients, direct lab tests, and prescribe medication to patients depending on the state. If you want to join more specialized nursing roles, many sub-specialties like midwife and anesthesia are available options. 

• Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners who work in similar areas to Psychiatric nurses. However, a mental health nurse practitioner job can handle additional challenges based on their high education degree and advanced training. Some states allow them to work with little or without medical supervision. To become an MHNP, you need to work as an RN and obtain an MSN degree. Later, you can acquire an NP certification. 

• Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) deal with patients of all ages and provide them with primary healthcare services. Their work revolves around patients building long-term professional relationships throughout their entire lives. You must complete an MSN or DNP degree specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner to become an FNP. After that, you can earn certification in either clinical or non-clinical areas.

• Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives primarily provide healthcare services to pregnant women and their newborns. They focus on reproductive health and guide patients about prenatal and postpartum care. You can educate women about reproductive health, monitor the fetus’s condition, and advise new mothers about baby care. To work in this field, you need to become a registered nurse and earn an MSN with a midwifery specialization. In addition, you can become a Certified Nurse Midwife.

• Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetists administer the anesthesia to patients. In addition, they screen patients getting or recovering from sedation. These APRNs earn the most money because they have to gain in-depth knowledge and advanced training to do their job. To work as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you must first become a licensed registered nurse with some experience working in an intensive care unit or a similar setting. After that, you’ll need to complete a Doctorate in CRNA. The final requirements include passing the National Certification Examination. 

• Forensic Nurse

You can become a forensic nurse either after working as an RN or gaining an advanced education degree. Forensic nurses treat patients who face abuse, violent crimes, or neglect in any form. They also assist and collect evidence for law enforcement agencies. You can even provide consultation to legal authorities and testify in court while working as a forensic nurse. 

• Informatics Nurse

The development of user-friendly electronic health record (EHR) systems, the implementation of other technology like home care management systems, and the coordination from paper to digital records are among the duties of these nurses. Informatics nurses collaborate with IT specialists to guarantee the proper operation of EHR systems and other tech-assisted healthcare systems. After earning an MSN in nursing informatics, you can work as an informatics nurse. You can also get certified in informatics nursing.

• Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners deal with patients who want to improve their physical appearance with cosmetic surgery. You can expect to administer botox, use chemical peels to reduce skin problems, and perform the removal of laser tattoos as an aesthetic nurse practitioner. To pursue a career in this nursing specialty, you must work as a licensed RN and avail of an MSN or DNP. 

Finally, you can become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist after gaining experience.

• Critical Care/ICU Nurse (CCN)

Critical care nurses or ICU nurses care for critically injured or ill patients. To carry out life-saving medical procedures, they must think and react quickly. You can expect a low patient load because the patients constantly need medical monitoring and attention. As an ICU nurse, you can perform duties in a wide range of settings, such as burn units, intensive care units (ICUs), coronary care units, and critical care units. 

• Nurse Attorney

A nurse attorney can practice law and nursing simultaneously. They play a part in changing healthcare policies and representing healthcare service providers in court. You can educate healthcare workers about their work’s legal aspects, appear in court for testimony as an expert, and represent healthcare providers in negligence and malpractice cases. To join this nursing specialty, you will need to work as an RN and gain some experience. After that, you need to submit an application to a law school, earn your JD, and pass the State Bar Licensing Exam. You will be ready to start your career as a nurse attorney once you are licensed as an attorney and a nurse.

• Nurse Educator

Nurse educators work as instructors for nursing courses in colleges and universities and work as faculty at teaching hospitals. As a nurse educator, you can teach clinical skills, advise and mentor students, and design and deliver the curriculum. However, to become a nurse educator, you need to earn an advanced degree like an MSN or DNP. You can also get certified to teach nursing courses.

• Nurse Manager

A nurse manager recruits, monitors, and oversees the nursing staff. Some specific responsibilities may include setting and managing budgets, finances, and medical records, hiring new staff, and implementing and enforcing disciplinary procedures. You can become a nurse manager after gaining an MHA, MSN, or MBA degree. Moreover, you can also earn certification as a Nurse Manager and Leader.

• Community Health Nurse

You can start to work as a community health nurse after earning a BSN. Community health nurses are more inclined towards social services and serve underserved populations by bridging the gaps between the healthcare system and the patient’s needs. They primarily work with families who have low incomes, immigrants, and people with special needs or disabilities.   

Conclusion 

Every nursing specialization is designed to cater to specialized patients’ target groups. You need to figure out your interests and preference to become a valuable part of the ever-expanding healthcare industry. From medical care to administration and legal aid, you can choose any nursing specialty to embark on the journey of success.