While there are numerous vocational paths that an individual could pursue in order to attain professional success and personal fulfillment, becoming a nurse can be uniquely beneficial. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that nurses help ill people become well and thus play a profound role in fostering the health and happiness of the people they serve. If you are thinking about going into the field of nursing, you may be wondering what is the best way to choose a nursing specialty. Here are several things to consider:
Available Offerings
Before you select a nursing specialty, you need to gain a thorough understanding of which ones are currently being offered. Then, you can make a well-informed decision regarding which is most appropriate and advisable for you. There are a plethora of different nursing specialties, and some of them include:
-Ambulatory care nursing
-Advanced practice nursing
-Burn nursing
-Camp nursing
-Medical case management
-Community health nursing
-Emergency and trauma nursing
-Environmental health nursing
-Faith community nursing
-Gastroenterology nursing
-Health visiting
Salary
People choose nursing specialties for a variety of different reasons, and one of them is salary. According to “Scrubs: The Nurses Guide To Good Living,” the top five nursing specialties in terms of salary are:
#5: Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse, Average Salary: $81,000
#4: Certified Nurse Midwife, Average Salary $84,000
#3: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Average Salary: $95,000
#2: Nurse Researcher, Average Salary: $95,000
#1: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Average Salary: $135,000
Your Personality and Interests
Each nursing specialty brings with it a unique environment and company culture. With this thought in mind, individuals attempting to select a nursing specialty should consider their personal style. This will help facilitate a sense of belonging and enable you to perform your duties well. If you are the type of individual who loves constant challenges and unexpected events, you may do well working in the emergency department. If you’re methodical and detail-oriented, you might find that clinical research is the right place for you. In considering your temperament and proclivities, remember that the things you love or enjoy doing outside of the vocational realm can help determine which nursing specialty is right for you. For example, if you find nutrition fascinating or love children, these interests can play a great role in helping you pick the most appropriate nursing specialty.
Job Setting
Nurses can work in a variety of different environments, including industrial job sites, schools, public health departments, research labs, helicopters, and of course hospitals. In thinking about which nursing specialty you should select, it is important that you remain cognizant of the type of environment you would prefer to be in while working. If you like traditional settings, then it may be advantageous for you to select a clinical specialty. At the same time, you’ll want to pay close attention to the type of clinical specialty you select given that there are salient disparities between the delivery room, intensive care unit, and psychiatric unit.
If you are thinking about beginning a career in nursing, you should note that selecting a nursing specialty could help you excel professionally. By considering the factors listed above, you can make an informed decision regarding which specialty is most appropriate for you. Good luck!
