If you are interested in becoming a specialist in the field of nursing, there is a long list of different nursing specializations that you can pursue. Nursing specialists study specific areas within the field to become experts and then test to prove that they have mastered the skills needed to work in the area. Before you can take special coursework or get experience in a specific setting or practice area, you need to decide which specialties you are most interested in. Expanding your professional versatility is important, but when you are geared on expansion you must know what your ultimate goal will be. Read on, and learn about some of the ever-growing and fulfilling specialities that you can choose in the nursing profession and then you can start to take the proper steps.

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Specialties

Not only is the geriatric population growing, so is the numbers of people in society who have medical insurance. The demand for healthcare is on a rise and this high demand can take a toll on doctors and physicians. When you specialize in advanced practice nursing will be prepared for advanced roles in clinical practice. Instead of providing the routine care a registered nurse does, APRNs are directly involved in the treatment and diagnosis of their patients, according to the American Nurses Association. You can become Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse-Midwife with the right degree and certification.

Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Specialties

There is more than one type of specialization that relates to critical care or emergency care. If you would like to work in intensive care units, emergency rooms, trauma centers, ambulatory care, or other areas of nursing that involve life-threatening treatments. If you specialize in critical care nursing, you provide care to people in unstable conditions and monitor them around the clock.

Specialists who work in emergency or trauma nursing will have special training in dealing with emergencies and a wide range of conditions in a chaotic environment. Ambulatory nurses will specialize in a wide range of skills to treat acute illnesses, manage pain or provide end-of-life care. When you specialize in these areas, you may also specialize in cardiac nursing or other areas.

Forensic Nursing Specialties

There are some ares of nursing that are a hybrid between the nursing field and other fields. If you have a passion for the legal system or crime scene investigations, you might be able to specialize in forensic nursing. In this area of nursing, you will collect evidence and write reports for the courts once a crime has been committed. You might also testify as an expert witness in court or provide support to victims when it is needed. If you want to pursue this specialty, you must take coursework in forensic nursing, complete specialized training, and then test with the International Association of Forensic Nurses to get your certification.

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These are just a handful of the many in-demand specializations that exist today. Be sure to review salaries, demand, job outlook, and where the jobs are most popular today. Once you do this, you can really make an educated choice and get certified in an area of nursing where you can find openings. Start researching all of the different nursing specializations and take action once you have professional experience as an RN.