Nursing is a dynamic and diverse profession, offering a wide range of nursing specialties to explore and pursue. Each specialty comes with its unique challenges, rewards, and opportunities. Whether you are drawn to the fast-paced environment of emergency care, the compassionate nature of hospice care, or something in between, there is a nursing specialty that aligns with your interests and skills.
At East Ohio College, we are committed to helping you discover some of the most common nursing specialties, what sets them apart, and how to get on the path to your dream nursing career. Our resources and guidance can assist you in making informed decisions about your future in nursing.
Different Nursing Specialties
While many nursing specialties cover niche areas of healthcare, some of the most commonly pursued professions are as follows:
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Medical-surgical, commonly referred to as Med-Surg, is the practice of caring for patients who are preparing for surgery or recovering from a procedure. Medical-surgical nurses are knowledgeable about the surgical and recovery process and skilled in assessing and managing complex patient conditions. According to Nurse Journal, med-surg is one of the most popular positions for entry-level nurses.
Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric nurses have the skillset unique to caring for infants, children, and adolescents in various settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, schools, and more. Pediatric nurses thoroughly understand child development and possess excellent communication skills, patience, and kindness to work effectively with young children and their families.
Geriatric Nursing
Geriatric nursing focuses on caring for elderly patients and their unique health needs. Nurses who specialize in geriatrics must have a strong understanding of common conditions, such as dementia, diabetes, heart failure, stroke, and more. They often work in assisted living facilities or home healthcare settings.
Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses work in high-pressure settings such as intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments, providing care to critically ill or injured patients. These nurses must be quick thinkers and thrive in stressful situations.
Oncology Nursing
Oncology nurses specialize in caring for patients with various forms of cancer. They provide compassionate support, manage symptoms, and educate patients on treatment plans. Oncology nurses typically work in hospital settings, cancer centers, and outpatient clinics, where they collaborate with a larger team to fulfill a comprehensive care plan for their patients.
Travel Nursing
Travel nurses work on a short-term contract basis at various healthcare facilities to fill staffing shortages. They can gain experience in many different specialties and enjoy the flexibility of choosing where to work.
Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth nursing is becoming popular due to the transition to virtual healthcare. They provide support to patients with non-critical needs through phone calls, video chats, and other virtual platforms. They play a key role in delivering care to those in rural or underserved areas and those who prefer the convenience of telehealth.
How To Pick A Nursing Speciality
Exploring nursing specialties and choosing the right one for you depends on many factors, including your interests, strengths, and goals. Reflect on which aspects of nursing inspire you the most, whether it be working with a specific population, learning new technologies, working in a fast-paced environment, or exploring different settings.
Some other things to consider when deciding on a nursing specialty are job outlook, salary potential, work-life balance, and opportunities for advancement. Conducting research and connecting with working nurses can help guide you in choosing the right specialty.
Start Your Nursing Journey At East Ohio College!
Do you picture your future self working as a nurse in a specialty that you love? The first step toward that dream career is to contact East Ohio College!
Our accelerated 18-month Nursing program is currently accepting aspiring nurses, so don’t wait! Call our admissions team at 330-385-1070 or request information to get started today.