ANSWER
Healthcare careers continue to offer unprecedented opportunities for advancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 15% increase in healthcare employment through 2029, amounting to 2.4 million positions—more than any other occupational category. The increased demand for healthcare services has increased the number of specialized nursing jobs for registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
These nursing careers offer rewarding work experiences as well as competitive pay. Because of the emergence of multiple specializations, nurses can now concentrate on a specific area of practice or patient population by gaining work experience and meeting certain educational and certification requirements. Nurses who pursue these in-demand specialized certifications benefit from job opportunities with more responsibility and autonomy, higher pay, and opportunities for advancement.
1. Nurse in Neonatal Care
Neonatal nurses work in intensive care units, caring for infants at risk of complications and requiring specialized care. Premature newborns and those born with cardiac or other congenital disabilities, genetic conditions, or drug addiction are examples. Neonatal nurses typically care for these infants until they are discharged from the hospital, but in some cases, care may extend beyond the newborn stage.
How to Become One: A valid RN license and an associate degree are required for a neonatal nursing career, though more competitive positions require a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). All neonatal nurses must be certified by the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. Most pursue additional credentials such as Low-Risk Neonatal Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing.
$70,582 per year
2. Midwifery Nurse
Nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses specializing in pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Nurse midwives care for patients from labor to delivery and offer postpartum support. While these nurses are primarily concerned with pregnancy care, they may also provide general services to women, such as gynecological reproductive, and preventive healthcare.
How to Become One: Nurse midwives have several paths to licensure. Prospective nurse midwives with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an RN license may pursue a master’s or doctorate in nursing. Some MSN programs accept RNs who do not have a bachelor’s degree. Students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees are admitted to direct-entry MSN programs. Nurses must earn the Certified Nurse Midwife credential after completing their graduate training, which the American Midwifery Certification Board administers.
$105,030 per year
QUESTION
Discussion in Nursing 6003N – Week 10 Examining Nursing Specialties
You have most likely seen one or more inspirational posters about making decisions. A visual, such as a forked road or a street sign, is usually depicted, along with an inspirational quote.
Decisions are not always easy to make. Perhaps you discovered this while deciding on a specialty for your MSN program. This is a critical component of your success strategy, and you undoubtedly want to get it right. This is another area where your network and other sources of information can assist you in making an informed decision.
To Get Ready:
Consider your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program and your professional and academic objectives in relation to your program/specialization.
By Week 10’s third day
Post an explanation of your program-specific nursing specialty choice. Describe any difficulties you encountered (or are experiencing) in making your decision and the factors that drove (are driving) your decision. Identify at least one professional organization associated with your chosen specialty and provide information on how to join.
By Week 10’s Day 6