Nursing is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying career with a number of nursing job opportunities and so many different specialties to choose from, there’s something for everyone. From working in pediatrics to aesthetics, nurses are valued in all healthcare departments and provide quality care for the patients that seek their help.
With so many nursing specialities to choose from, it can be difficult to find one that you know you’ll love. After all, you may be interested in two or three specialties. How do you know which one to choose?
What is the Most Popular Type of Nurse?
Some nursing specialties are more popular than others, though this isn’t always the best way to determine which specialty you should go into. If you are interested in learning more about the most popular type of nurses, though, here are some of the specialties to look at.
#1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
As one of the top paying careers, certified registered nurse anesthetists are one of the most popular types of nurses. CRNAs earn an average salary of $195,610 according to the BLS. They work alongside surgical and trauma teams and administer all types of anesthesia for any given procedure.
CRNAs don’t just administer anesthesia, though. They also work with the patient and their family to help them understand what to expect post-anesthesia.
#2. Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric nurses work with those suffering from mental health or psychiatric disorders. They work with a variety of patients and their families and help them learn how to live with and accommodate their disorder. The average psychiatric nurse practitioner earns $113,114 annually according to PayScale, making it one of the top paying nursing positions.
Although less than 4% of registered nurses primarily practice psychiatric nursing, the specialty is growing rapidly as the nation’s attention turns toward mental health.
#3. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
More and more people are turning to cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, making aesthetic nurse practitioners more important than ever. These nurses work closely with patients to determine what their aesthetic goals are, inform them of their options, and even perform the procedures.
With more liberal scheduling, a generous salary, and a less stressful work environment, many nurses are turning to aesthetics for the specialty. With the average aesthetic nurse practitioner salary coming in at $95,221 according to Salary.com, you won’t be struggling to make ends meet. Depending on where you’re located in the country, you may even expect a salary upwards of $105,000 annually.
#4. Geriatric Nurse
The baby boomer generation is quickly starting to age out and retire, leaving many job openings and also creating a high need for geriatric nurses.
Geriatric nurses tend to people 65 years old and above and often work in senior care centers, retirement communities, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time monitoring and caring for those with particular health concerns and ensure their last few years are comfortable.
#5. Oncology Nurse
Cancer is one of the biggest healthcare problems in the country and oncology nurses are vital. As cancer can be extremely disheartening for both patients and families alike, it’s important that oncology nurses are around to offer encouragement and lend a helping, compassionate hand.
As patients come in for treatment, it’s up to oncology nurses to ensure their time there is comfortable and that they’re getting the care they need. Oncology nurses also work to help educate patients on their particular type of cancer, administer chemotherapy, and develop treatment plans.
#6. Forensic Nurses
Forensic nurses work closely with law enforcement and are often employed in emergency rooms. A lot of their work is spent with victims of sexual or physical assault as they care for them, collect evidence, and testify in court if necessary. As the nature of forensic nursing can be very sensitive, forensic nurses must be extremely professional and compassionate.
Forensic nursing is a specialty within registered nursing. The average salary is around the same as that for most registered nurses, hovering around $77,000, though additional education and experience increases the chances of a higher salary.
#7. Neonatal Nurses
Neonatal nurses work with newborns and young, sick babies. They often work in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and provide specialized and intensive care to newborns and premature babies. They may also work with very young babies that fall ill.
Most neonatal nurses must pass an additional licensure exam, though not every jobsite will require this. Neonatal nurses must also have experience in critical care and neonatal care before they can take the exam to become a neonatal nurse.
#8. Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Particularly with the rise and spread of Covid-19, intensive care unit nurses are in high demand. ICU nurses spend their days caring for patients in the ICU and must have an extreme attention to detail. Many of their patients require medications or care around the clock and at exact times, making ICU nursing a very structured career field.
For those who want to go into nursing but want to work in an area with more structure, ICU nursing is one of the best choices. The work done by ICU nurses is incredibly precise and must be exact. The nurses that work in this field follow a very rigorous structure and must pay careful attention to every aspect of their patients’ health and recovery.
#9. Certified Dialysis Nurse
Many people in the United States suffer from diabetes, but they aren’t the only ones who require dialysis treatment. Certified dialysis nurses work with all types of patients that need dialysis treatment after kidney failure.
Certified dialysis nurses tend to follow a more traditional work schedule and perform treatment that saves lives. If you want a nursing career with a predictable schedule and a rewarding job outcome, becoming a certified dialysis nurse is a great way to go.
Join a Rewarding Career Field
Nurses are in high demand no matter what specialty they go into, though some specialties are more popular than others. Whether you choose your specialty based on market demand or your personal interest, hopefully you’ll find your career both rewarding and interesting.