There has never been a better time to be a nurse. Not only are salaries are going up, but nurses are also gaining more independence and enjoying greater job security. Nursing opportunities abound, even for recent graduates.
If you're a natural helper, a nursing career may sound very appealing to you, but there are many nursing specialties out there. You may wonder which one is the right one for you. Which naturally props some questions. What nursing specialties are most in-demand?
To help you figure it out, we've compiled a list of the most popular nursing jobs today. The following five nursing specialties are the most sought after by hospitals and clinics. With the United States still experiencing a nursing shortage, the demand for these jobs is sure to increase.
Nurse Case Manager
Nurse case managers work closely with patients who require long-term and ongoing medical support, such as HIV or cancer patients. Through their continuing support, nurse case managers build long-term relationships with patients. As a case manager, you'll need to create long-term care plans and implement them. Your job is to ensure patients get the best treatment they need throughout their illness.
ICU Nurse
Working in critical care continues to be a popular choice for nursing specialties. Nurses that work in the ICU care for people suffering from severe diseases and injuries. You can choose to narrow down your focus even further by working in the cardiac or trauma intensive care units. Working in the ICU is a very fast-paced environment. Although new graduates tend to undergo training before working in the ICU, most hospitals want at least a year of experience before moving into this specialty.
Nurse Practitioner
Are you looking to get started in advanced practice? Becoming a nurse practitioner may be right for you. Nurse practitioners have some of the same responsibilities as family practice doctors and tend to work with patients throughout their lifespan. As a nurse practitioner, you can specialize in a particular area, such as gynecology or pediatrics. Thinking of becoming a nurse practitioner? After becoming earning your RN and bachelor's degree, you must complete a nurse practitioner program.
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Pediatric Nurse
Do you love children? Working as a pediatric nurse may be the job for you. As a pediatric nurse, you'll work with children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. But caring for younger patients and assisting in their treatment and healing is just part of your job description. You'll also spend a lot of time educating parents on the best at-home treatments to ensure that each child grows up healthy and safe.
Medical Surgery
Medical surgery is a popular nursing specialty for many reasons. With a medical surgery specialty, nurses work with patients with a wide variety of conditions, including those recovering after surgery. Medical surgery is an excellent specialty for new graduates since it gives you a great foundation to move into other specialties.
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