21 Types of Nursing Specialties in Demand

Nursing is a profession that's always been in high demand. An RN specializing in a certain field, especially in a field that is high in demand, has a bright future. Most specialties require an RN license and a bachelor's degree. Additional certifications can then be taken in the specialty of choice.

Some of the most popular nurse career options are:

1

Nurse Anesthetist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

The highest paying nursing career, a CRNA is an advanced practice nurse. A CRNA administers anesthesia to a patient, monitors the patient before and after administering the anesthesia, and makes sure the patient is reacting favorably to the anesthesia.

To become a CRNA, a licensed RN must earn an MSN in nurse anesthesiology and then proceed to pass the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists, which is a three-hour computer-based test. Candidates are required to have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care environment.

The national median annual salary of a CRNA is around $212,650, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2023 data.

2

Surgical Nurse/Perioperative Nurse

As the name suggests, a Perioperative Nurse assists a surgeon during surgical/operative procedures. Duties also include pre-op and post-op services and monitoring the patient at all times. Experienced Perioperative nurses assist the surgeons in suturing and draping the patients. This field is the most in-demand and associated with the word 'nurse' in layman's jargon.

To become a Perioperative Nurse, a licensed RN must have an associate degree in nursing or a BSN. After this, at least a year of work experience in nursing is required, after which they can take one of the two certifications available through Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI), namely CNOR and CNFA.

The top-paying locations for perioperative nurses include Los Angeles, California, with an annual median salary of around $97,000, followed by New York, New York, at $81,000. Other notable cities are Houston, Texas, offering a median salary of $69,000 annually; Dallas, Texas, with a salary of $70,000; and Chicago, Illinois, at $71,000.

The national annual median salary of a Perioperative Nurse is around $71,000.

3

Cardiac Nurse

A Cardiac Nurse assists physicians and surgeons in the field of cardiology. Most Cardiac Nurses specialize in a cardiology sub-specialty.

Obtaining a BSN (recommended) and an RN license is a must to become a Cardiac Nurse. The licensed RN then proceeds to procure an MSN in a cardiac specialty. They can further obtain certifications in a certain sub-specialty through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM), the American Association of Critical Cares Nurses (AACN), or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The available certification options for cardiac nurses include the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC), the Adult Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC), and the Adult Cardiac Surgery Certification (CSC).

The national annual median salary of a Cardiac Nurse is around $73,000.

4

Oncology Nurse

Oncology Nurses help patients suffering from cancer. They assist during chemotherapy sessions, make sure patients are comfortable, monitor them, advise them on how to care for themselves, and educate and answer their questions about their health condition and treatment plan.

To become an Oncology Nurse, an RN needs to have a BSN or associate degree in nursing. They can then earn certification in oncology nursing through Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. To be eligible for the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) exam, the RN must have accumulated 1,000 hours of experience as an oncology RN, possess a valid RN license for at least one year, and complete 10 contact hours in oncology-related education. The certification remains valid for four years, after which it must be renewed.

The national annual median salary of an Oncology Nurse is around $86,000.

5

Neonatal Nurse

A Neonatal Nurse takes care of newborn babies and helps the parents take care of their babies. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses work solely with premature and critically ill newborns.

To become a Neonatal Nurse, a licensed RN must have at least an ADN or BSN. They need to obtain a Neonatal Resuscitation certificate and other NICU certificates. These can be obtained through the employer they are working for.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner are Nurse Practitioners specializing in Neonatal. They need at least an MSN and two years of clinical experience working in a NICU to obtain a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner license. Since Nurse Practitioners have to be certified by the state, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners also need to earn state certifications as Neonatal Nurses in the state where they will be working.

The national annual median salary of a Neonatal Nurse is around $127,000.

6

Nurse Midwife or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A CNM helps expectant mothers during pregnancy, epidural/pain relief administration, delivery, and postpartum period. They usually act as primary care providers or PCP for these patients and have their practice while others perform their duties at a facility.

An RN has to obtain an MSN in midwifery and then get the CNM credential from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). The state defines the requirements to become a CNM, so the final step to becoming a CNM is to make sure to meet those requirements.

One of the highest-paying nurse career choices, a Certified Nurse Midwife's national median annual salary is around $130,000.

7

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A CNS provides clinical care in a specialized field. Common duties include patient care, diagnosing, and treating simple medical conditions. Their scope of duties varies from state to state but regardless, they train and provide managerial services to other nurses in their field.

A CNS is also an Advanced Practice Nurse who needs to have a prior BSN with an RN license. They then work towards obtaining their MSN or DNP in the field they want to be a CNS. After successfully completing a Master's or Doctor's program, they have to pass the National Nurses Licensing Exam provided by the National Certification Corporation and then obtain the state license. CNS certifications provide nurses with the opportunity to specialize in various fields. The most prevalent certifications for clinical nurse specialists are Adult Health CNS, Adult-Gerontology CNS, Pediatric CNS, Neonatal CNS, and Public Health CNS.

A Clinical Nurse Specialist earns a national annual median salary of around $100,000.

8

Critical Care Nurse

As the name suggests, Critical Care Nurses work on critical care floors like ICUs and trauma floors. They can be further specialized in a particular field like cardio, etc.

The field of critical care Nursing does not require a lot of degrees like other specialties. Instead, these nurses require practical knowledge. They might be required to work with only a couple of patients at a time since they might be at high risk and need special care. After obtaining an RN, along with a BSN, the nurses require at least a couple of years of experience working in the critical care field, after which they can take one of the various certifications provided by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Critical Care Nurses earn a national annual median salary of around $78,000.

9

Pain Management Nurse

Do not confuse them with CRNA, who mostly deal with anesthesia. A Pain Management Nurse works hand in hand with a doctor to come up with a plan for pain management for a patient suffering from chronic pain.

To become a Pain Management Nurse, an RN license and a BSN are a must. Additionally, the RN has to prove that he/she has practical knowledge to qualify as a Pain Management Nurse. They have to show that they have worked as an RN for at least 2 years, which must include 2,000 hours of work in pain management, which has been earned in the last 3 years. A Pain Management Nurse has to take the pain management test through the American Nurses Credentialing Center to become certified as a Pain Management Nurse.

Pain Management Nurses make a national median salary of around $68,000 annually.

10

Perianesthesia Nurse

Perianesthesia Nurses help the patients who are coming out of anesthesia and sedation post-surgery. Duties include checking vital signs and any adverse reactions to anesthesia. They are also the first ones to communicate with the patients once they regain consciousness and ensure they are comfortable. They are also trained in resuscitation and defibrillation to deal with emergencies when the patient comes around.

To become a Perianesthesia Nurse, a valid RN license along with a nursing degree are a must. The RN must additionally have 1,800 hours of practical experience working in a perianesthesia setting and then apply for a CPAN or CAPA certification through the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC).

Certification is not required for pain management nurses; however, those who hold certifications in their specific fields may receive higher compensation. The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides a certification examination in pain management nursing for registered nurses with at least two years of practice experience, 2,000 hours of clinical nursing in pain management, and 30 hours of continuing education in the same area.

A Perianesthesia Nurse earns around $118,000 as the national annual median salary.

11

Dialysis Nurse

Dialysis Nurses help patients suffering from acute and chronic kidney failure. They are responsible for prepping the patient before the procedure, monitoring the procedure, and making sure the patient is doing well post-procedure. Dialysis Nurses may work in outpatient dialysis centers or hospitals.

To become a Dialysis Nurse, post-graduate courses are not needed. An RN and BSN is a necessity. Once nurses get their RN license, they need to have between 2,000 and 3,000 work hours in nephrology to qualify for certification. One of the two certificate exams can be obtained through the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission - Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) or Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN).

The national annual median salary of a Dialysis Nurse is around $93,000.

12

Health Policy Nurse

A Health Policy Nurse does not work at the clinical level but helps set up policies and laws for a better healthcare system. They may work in a non-profit organization, a medical university, or for the United States Congress.

A BSN, along with an RN, is a must to become a Health Policy Nurse, though it's feasible to earn an MSN in a related field, like MSN in Healthcare Policy. Certification Options for Health Policy Nurses include Certified Public Health Administrator (CPHA), National Healthcare Disaster Certification, Advanced Public Health Nursing Board Certification (PHNA-BC), and Graduate Certificate in Health Policy.

The national annual median salary of a Health Policy Nurse is around $117,000.

13

Nurse Advocate

Nurse Advocates are the advocates for the patients. They make sure that the wishes of the patients and their families are heard by the medical staff. They make sure that all the questions and concerns that the patient might have are properly answered, and they also act as an intermediary between the patient and the doctors, clinical nurses, or other healthcare staff. Healthcare facilities usually hire Nurse Advocates, so there is someone available to hear out the patients calmly, apart from the usual hustle and bustle.

Interested RN needs to have a BSN and enough clinical experience. Although a specific certification is not required, nurse advocates frequently enhance their professional skills by obtaining additional credentials, such as the Board-Certified Patient Advocate designation, or completing a program focused on patient advocacy.

The national annual median salary of a Nurse Advocate is around $95,000.

14

Informatics Nurse

This field is probably the least in demand, but once a nurse enters it, there is an immense potential to grow. Some nurses choose to go into this field for personal/medical reasons since it is a lot less demanding. An Informatics Nurse works with the data and statistics collected from patients and institutions and converts them into meaningful information that can be used to serve the healthcare industry better. They must have a strong math, statistical, and technical background to manipulate the data properly. An Informatics Nurse also trains other nurses and staff on better use of the latest technologies. Informatics Nurses are in demand in medical research fields like pharma and CDC.

An Informatics Nurse holds a BSN degree and RN license along with a certification in Informatics through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Clinical experience is a must before earning this certification.

The national annual median salary of an Informatics Nurse is around $84,000.

15

Diabetes Nurse

Diabetes Nurses educate patients suffering from diabetes about nutrition and how to care for themselves, including but not limited to modifying their lifestyle. Diabetes nurses can either work on their own accord or work under an endocrinologist or a related specialist.

To become a Diabetes Nurse, an RN license is a must, and at least 500 hours of clinical experience in a diabetes facility. They can then earn their MSN and work their way towards earning Advanced Diabetes Management Certification through the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Obtaining nursing certification as a diabetes nurse specialist, although not mandatory, signifies a high level of proficiency in the field. The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) provides the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) certification for advanced practitioners with a master's degree who complete a specialized examination.

The national annual median salary of a Diabetes Nurse is around $86,000.

16

Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric Nurse takes care of patients with mental illness in hospitals or in-patient care facilities. Duties include counseling the patients so that they can care for themselves, take their medications and stay safe and comfortable.

An RN can become a Psychiatric nurse by having a nursing degree. Though an associate and diploma in nursing are acceptable, it's better to hold a BSN. An additional 2 years experience as an RN, which includes 2,000 hours of clinical experience working in a mental health nursing setting in the last 3 years, is required to earn Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner are Nurse Practitioners that specialize in mental health. They have the power to prescribe medications and treat patients suffering from mental health issues. To become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, an RN needs to earn an MSN or DNP in a psychiatric program. They also need 500 hours of clinical experience working in a mental health setting. After meeting these criteria, they can take Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The national annual median salary of a Psychiatric Nurse is around $85,000.

17

Trauma Nurse

Trauma Nurses work in trauma centers, emergency rooms, and urgent care centers. They are among the first ones to handle the patients in these settings.

To become a Trauma Nurse, an RN needs to clock in more clinical hours than course hours. An RN needs to have 2 years of experience working in a trauma setting. After this, they can apply for emergency nursing certification through the Board of Emergency Nursing. The last step is passing a course in trauma nursing through the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).

In addition to the essential certifications such as ACLS, a trauma nurse may pursue additional credentials. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) provides a variety of certification options, including Certified Burn Emergency Nurse (CBEN), Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Certified Flight Emergency Nurse (CFEN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN), Certified Transport Emergency Nurse (CTEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).

The national annual median salary of a Trauma Nurse is around $73,000.

18

Nurse Educator

As the term implies, Nurse Educators educate and train nurses to perform better at their jobs. They can work in the field they specialize in. Nurse Educators can be hired on a temporary contract basis or on a permanent basis to train nurses as and when needed.

Nurse Educators need to be highly knowledgeable in their area and have sufficient practical experience to effectively train nurses and answer their questions. They need to have an MSN or DNP along with an RN license. Upon finishing their MSN or DNP programs, nurses are encouraged to pursue the Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) or the Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Certification (CNEcl) examinations.

The national annual median salary of a Nurse Educator is around $84,000.

19

Travel Nurse

Travel Nurses are not a special kind of nurse, but they are nurses in their chosen field who, as the name implies, travel. They fill the employment gap in the facilities that need them, like filling in for a nurse who's on maternity leave or sick. They work on a contractual basis and are affiliated with an agency that provides nurses with short-term needs.

No additional qualifications are needed to be a Travel Nurse. They just have to be licensed and have the degree required by their field. Nursing certification prerequisites differ depending on the specialty. Certain certifications, such as ACLS, PALS, NRP, and chemotherapy certification, may be required.

The national annual median salary of a Travel Nurse is around $124,000.

20

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioners are Nurse Practitioners that are like family practice doctors. They work under a physician or, in some cases, have their own practice. Duties include examining patients, diagnosing illness, and prescribing medicines.

An RN with a nursing degree must earn an MSN or DNP to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. They can then proceed to earn their Family Practitioner Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Since Family Nurse Practitioners are a step up from RNs, they earn a national annual median salary of around $125,000.

21

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Gerontological Nurse Practitioners are nurse practitioners who treat elderly people. They can work in several settings, including nursing homes and hospitals, and can also have their private practice.

Since Gerontological Nurse practitioners are nurse practitioners, they must have their RN license and a BSN and MSN or DNP. Upon finishing a graduate program, AGNPs must secure national certification from recognized bodies like the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Additionally, gerontology nurse practitioners must obtain licensure in the state where they plan to practice.

A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner earns a national annual median salary of around $119,000.