Have you been considering a career in the medical field? Becoming a nurse is fulfilling and exciting, but is it the right path for you?
If you’ve already been applying to nurse school and you know you want to be a healer, it’s time to start considering the different types of nursing specialties. After all, not all nurses are the same.
Not sure where to get started? We want to help. While we can’t list all the different types of nurse specialties, we’ll go over some of the most common ones so you can get a feel for the field.
Keep reading to learn more.
Nursing Assistants
If you aren’t quite ready to jump into nursing school yet, becoming a nursing assistant might be the right path for you. Take a look here to get an idea of your education requirements.
Nursing assistants aid nurses and doctors by providing compassionate care to patients. They can perform simple medical tasks such as taking blood pressure and other vitals. But they primarily work to provide companionship and assistance for patients that need extra help with things like cleaning and dressing.
They often work in long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses are what most people think of when nurses come to mind. They need a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree.
While technically a “specialty” of sorts, these nurses are generalists. They provide care where it’s needed and work with a team of doctors and other nurses to attend to the needs of patients.
Geriatric Nurses
If you’re interested in helping the elderly but you want to do something beyond being a nursing assistant, geriatric nursing might be for you.
These nurses specialize in elderly care. They may attend to regular care and checkups, but they can also focus on mental and physical health conditions that are common in older patients, such as dementia or recovery from falls.
Nurse-Midwives
Nurse-midwives work with patients who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, new parents, or giving birth. They offer a holistic option for people who are expecting.
They handle prenatal appointments, labor and delivery, and post-birth counseling. They also help teach the new parents how to care for a newborn (and care for any common post-birth health problems).
Psychiatric Nurses
Psychiatric nurses specialize in mental health. This type of nursing requires a master’s degree, so if you’re not interested in advanced schooling it might not be for you.
These nurses are able to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They can prescribe medications and provide counseling services. They may work in inpatient centers, hospitals, or private mental health practices.
There Are Many Types of Nursing Specialties to Choose From
Nursing is an umbrella category.
If you want to focus on a specific type of care, learning the different types of nursing specialties first can get you on the right educational path. Figure out your values and intentions with the career and get started!
For more posts on health, business, and more, visit the rest of our site.
