The process for how to choose a nursing specialty may be a little different for each nursing student. First, explore the many different types of nursing specialties, such as pediatric nursing, critical care and oncology nursing. Then, consider your preferred patient population, work environment and responsibilities.
If you are in nursing school or pursuing admission to a nursing program, you might have questions about how to choose a nursing specialty. Specialties can range from oncology to pediatrics to critical care. Of the types of nursing specialties you can choose from, you should consider which is best aligned with your career goals, skills and personal interests.
At Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU), you can develop a strong foundation for any nursing specialty and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree faster. Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program will provide ample opportunity to explore a wide variety of nursing career paths.
Take a closer look at what nursing specialties are and why they matter. Then, explore a range of different nursing specialties and the factors to consider as you develop an answer to the question, “What type of nurse should I be?”
Why Nursing Specialties Matter
A nursing specialty is a distinct practice area within the field, such as oncology nursing, pediatrics or medical-surgical nursing. Nursing specialties matter because they enable providers to develop in-depth knowledge and clinical skills relevant to their specialty. No nurse can know everything about every practice area; by specializing, however, nurses can develop extensive knowledge about what matters most for their patients.
How to become an RN fast by leveraging your previous education.
Types of Nursing Specialties You Can Pursue
Nurses can pursue a wide range of specialties, including the following.
Critical Care Nurse
Patients with life-threatening conditions are cared for in the intensive care unit (ICU). In the ICU, critical care nurses aim to stabilize their patients and prepare them for transfer to step-down units.
Because nearly everything in the ICU is urgent, it can be a high-stress environment with life-or-death decisions. ICU nurses must thrive in fast-paced environments and think clearly under pressure.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric nurses treat patients with mental health issues. They assess, develop care plans, lead therapeutic activities and administer treatments, including medications. This nursing specialty especially focuses on emotional support and patient education.
Psychiatric nurses can work in numerous settings, including hospitals, inpatient mental health treatment facilities and outpatient clinics. This position requires patience, compassion and professional boundaries.
Labor and Delivery Nurse
Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses work with patients during and after labor and childbirth. They provide close monitoring, pain medications, emotional support, labor coaching and emergency interventions when complications occur.
An L&D nurse needs empathy and compassion, coaching skills and communication skills. They also need attention to detail and the ability to respond quickly to emergencies. L&D nurses can work in hospital obstetrics departments, as well as in birthing centers and private homes. With additional education and certification, a labor and delivery nurse may advance to the role of a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), an advanced type of nursing specialty.
Oncology Nurse
Oncology nurses provide treatment for patients with cancer. They care for patients of all ages, clarify diagnoses and treatment plans, support families and manage symptoms and side effects.
These nurses often build strong relationships with their patients during cancer treatment since their time in the hospital can be highly emotional. You will need to have excellent communication skills, be a good listener and be emotionally resilient. Oncology nurses can advance their careers as oncology certified nurses (OCNs).
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses work exclusively with children from birth through adolescence. These nurses are invested in the well-being of their patients and often get to watch them grow up. Pediatric nurses can benefit from patience, excellent communication skills, emotional resilience and a cheerful demeanor.
Pediatric nurses can further specialize in areas such as pediatric acute care, which involves short-term injuries and illnesses, and family care, which focuses on preventive wellness. Pediatric nurses may also work in an emergency department, a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or a cancer treatment center.
Hospice Nurse
Hospice nurses work with patients receiving end-of-life care. Hospice patients often return to their homes for treatment that will keep them comfortable and reduce pain during their final days. Hospice nurses provide kindness, support and care for families during this time, with a focus on palliative care, rather than curative treatments.
Hospice nurses must have excellent teaching skills, as they often help family caregivers learn how to use medical equipment and supplies at home. They must also be adept at consoling grieving patients and family members. Professional boundaries, emotional resilience and patience are critical in this nursing specialty.
Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses step in to care for patients in their own homes, often working with geriatric patients, those with chronic health issues and those who are recovering from a major surgery, illness or injury. While working for a home health agency, these RNs often focus on health assessment, symptom management, medication management and patient and family caregiver education.
Home health nurses need to work with a great deal of autonomy. They must be adaptable, have good time management and excellent interpersonal skills.
Plastic Surgery Nurse
Preparing the operating room, monitoring patients and educating patients on what to expect before, during and after a procedure are just a few things plastic surgery nurses do.
These RNs also assist in cosmetic surgeries and help patients achieve their desired results. They support physicians throughout the process to help keep the patient stable and safe. After a procedure, plastic surgery nurses help patients and family caregivers learn what to expect and what to do at home. Attention to detail, discretion and collaboration are essential soft skills.
School Nurse
School nurses work in primary and secondary schools to ensure students' health. They treat minor health issues in students as they arise and advise parents and faculty as to further treatment options.
School nurses also administer parent-approved medication to students during the day. They perform health screenings, report possible child abuse or neglect and manage patient records. Patience, organization and communication skills are important in this specialty.
Does working outside of the hospital appeal to you? Learn more about your options for non-bedside nursing jobs.
What Type of Nurse Should I Be?
After taking some time to explore different types of nursing specialties, you may find yourself leaning toward one or even a few of them. While considering your choice, reflect on what you hope to gain from a nursing career. Think about your preferred:
- Patient population
- Working schedule
- Health care setting
- Pace of activity
- Opportunities for advancement, including certifications and requirements
Consider which nursing specialties you’re interested in that would best align with your goals for your career and lifestyle.
How to Choose a Nursing Specialty During Nursing School
You can start thinking about how to choose a nursing specialty during nursing school. During classes, pay attention to which topics interest you most. Talk with your instructors about the career opportunities in nursing and discuss the specialties you’re thinking about pursuing.
Clinical rotations can offer the best opportunity to choose a nursing specialty while in school. You’ll work in different practice areas, gaining a first-hand look at a few nursing specialties. You’ll also be able to work with patients of varying ages and with a range of health issues. This clinical experience can help you determine which nursing specialty may be ideal for you.
At NDMU, our students can work in a range of practice areas during clinical rotations, including:
- Medical-surgical
- Labor and delivery
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric/mental health
- Community/population health
Work Toward Nursing Excellence at Notre Dame
At Notre Dame of Maryland University, we provide the support our students need to thrive as they work toward a nursing career. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that facilitate faculty mentoring, along with Academic Success Coaches and tutors to work with you one-on-one. It’s an individualized and flexible learning experience, with the choice between online and in-person ABSN coursework.
“What type of nurse should I be?” At Notre Dame, you can prepare to pursue any type of nursing career. Request information today to get started.