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The nursing profession attracts many people eager to help others and have a keen interest in healthcare. Nurses fulfill various roles and possess various skills, including patient care, education, and advocacy. There are numerous specialties to choose from when you pursue a nursing career. Nursing specializations and roles are in high demand and offer high compensation for qualified nurses. Pursuing a nursing specialty allows you to enjoy tremendous flexibility and job security.
With so many career paths and specialties in the nursing field, deciding the right specialty for you can prove difficult. Although most nursing career choices are emotionally fulfilling and rewarding, some specialties offer better-earning potential, job satisfaction, and versatility. If you want to assume leadership roles in nursing, enrolling for the MSN in leadership degree open to California nursing students can help prepare you to become a transformational nurse leader. Here are the top nursing specialties you should consider:
1. Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists play a critical role in administering and monitoring anesthesia before surgical procedures. This sensitive role demands strong attention to detail, so you can accurately calibrate sleep-inducing medication. You must also be a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited medical institute.
As a nurse anesthetic, you will often work under the supervision of dentists, surgeons, or anesthesiologists. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are among the highest-paying roles in medical practice. CRNAs in the US earn an annual salary of approximately 160,000 dollars, and job opportunities are projected to grow by 12% over the next decade.
2. Nurse Educator
Nursing educators train nursing students on the science and art of becoming a nurse. They serve as students’ instructors at nursing colleges and participate in medical research. Nurse educators have a unique opportunity to bestow clinical nursing expertise to the new aspiring nurses of tomorrow. As a nurse educator, you’ll create course plans, teach lessons, supervise students’ clinical experiences, and evaluate their performance.
For you to become a nurse educator, you must be a registered nurse and consequently earn an MSN from an accredited institution. Aspiring nursing educators should specialize in nursing education or enroll for a postgraduate nursing educator certificate. While some nursing educators teach generalized courses such as nursing and biology, others may specialize in pediatrics, informatics, or geriatrics.
3. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced-level nurses capable of performing the full scope of medical care procedures. Similar to physician assistants and medical doctors, nurse practitioners diagnose, interpret laboratory diagnostics, and treat injuries, sicknesses, or other conditions. NPs offer in-person assistance to patients ranging from newborns to seniors. They are also responsible for keeping patients healthy by providing regular checkups and screenings.
To become a nurse practitioner, you must be a registered nurse and earn an advanced master’s degree in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). As a nursing practitioner, you can work in various medical settings, from hospitals and clinics to healthcare offices and nursing homes.
Endnote
The nursing specialty you choose will determine the educational requirements you must fulfill. While you can get into the nursing field by having a high school diploma and a CNA or LPN certification, you must earn an MSN degree to fill the nursing career specialties outlined above.