Exploring My Top 5 Nursing Specialties

Are you considering a career in nursing but unsure which specialty is right for you? 

As a seasoned registered nurse, I’m here to shed light on my top five nursing specialties: critical care nursing, operating room nursing, informatics nursing, emergency nursing, and travel nursing.

Top 5 Nursing Specialties: Exciting Opportunities

1. Emergency Nursing

This is personally my first pick. I thrive in chaotic situations and love the adrenaline rush of being in the ER. Emergency nursing is a fast-paced and high-energy specialty that involves caring for patients in emergency situations. Emergency room nurses work in hospital emergency departments, providing care to patients with a wide range of medical conditions and injuries. The patient population spans from pediatrics to geriatric and everything in between. Theres never a dull moment in the ER. This specialty requires strong critical thinking skills, the ability to make quick decisions, and the capacity to remain calm under pressure, so if you think you can handle it, do it!

Why I like this specialty:

• It’s exciting for those who love a good ole adrenaline rush. (side note: if you really want excitement you need to work in a level 1 trauma center)
• It’s not floor nursing (although ER holds require floor nursing skills)
• From my experience, there’s usually a great team environment.
• You gain excellent experience that could take you farther in your career.

2. Critical Care Nursing

Critical care nursing is a dynamic and fast-paced specialty that involves caring for patients who are critically ill or injured. Working in intensive care units (ICUs), critical care nurses play a vital role in monitoring patients, administering medications, and providing life-saving interventions. This specialty requires strong assessment skills, critical thinking abilities, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. But don’t think that since the patient to nurse ratio is 2:1 that it will be less work. ICU nurses work hard and non-stop. You’re getting vitals every 2 hours and maybe even more than that depending on what drips you have for the patient and you don’t have nursing assistants to help clean your patients or collect blood sugars. For me, ICU nursing is great and you learn ALOT in this role. 

Why I like this specialty:

• You consistently apply your critical thinking skills
• After working in the ICU, you can apply to CRNA school!
• Nurse to Patient ratio is 2:1
• You gain invaluable experience that can help you negotiate higher pay.

3. Operating Room Nursing

Operating room nursing, also known as perioperative nursing, is an exciting and challenging specialty that involves providing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Operating room nurses work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other members of the surgical team to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. This specialty requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure. I do not have experience in this specialty but from what I’ve seen/heard OR nurses love their jobs. You can work inpatient or outpatient. It’s also a strong team environment which is why I am drawn to it.

Why I like this specialty:

• You can work inpatient or outpatient
• You don’t have the same patients all day long
• You still use your critical thinking skills
• You work in a team environment and get to see procedures first hand

4. Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is an exciting and flexible career option that allows nurses to work in different healthcare facilities across the country. Travel nurses take short-term assignments in various locations, providing temporary staffing support to hospitals and healthcare facilities. This specialty offers nurses the opportunity to explore new places, gain valuable experience, and earn competitive pay and benefits.

Why I like this specialty: 

• Earn competitive pay (you may need to provide your own health insurance though)
• Flexibility to work when and where you want.
• You get to explore new places (and get paid for it).
• You gain invaluable experience by working with new orgnaizations and seeing how they operate and find what works/doesn’t work.

5. Informatics Nursing

Informatics nursing is a rapidly growing specialty that focuses on the intersection of healthcare and technology. Informatics nurses use their knowledge of nursing, information science, and technology to improve patient care outcomes, streamline processes, and enhance the delivery of healthcare services. This specialty is ideal for nurses who are tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and passionate about using technology to improve patient care. I am biased on this specialty because I previously have worked in Healthcare IT. 

Why I like this specialty:

• You can work from home – great work/home lifestyle
• Not bedside or patient facing
• You get to be apart of improving efficiency for nurses and clinical staff. 

In conclusion, each of these nursing specialties offers unique challenges and opportunities for growth and advancement. Whether you’re interested in caring for critically ill patients, assisting in surgical procedures, leveraging technology to improve patient care, working in emergency situations, or exploring new places as a travel nurse, there’s a nursing specialty for you. Consider exploring these top five nursing specialties to find the one that best fits your skills, interests, and career goals