Choosing a specialization in nursing is a crucial part when it comes to practicing as an RN. Yes, we agree that most of the entry-level nursing job positions are generalist, and specialties in registered nursing would offer more room for advancements. With the health care field growing more and more complex, several registered nurses are taking efforts to concentrate on their niche fields. In addition, a specialization would award you with enhanced job security, increased career satisfaction, and enhanced pay. Today, there are more than 100 nursing specialties available, meaning that there is a specialty available for every one of us nurses.

Consider the Personality Aspect

Some nursing specialties are best suited for people of certain personality types. Therefore, it’s important for us to choose a role that would align with our temperament. For example, let’s take critical care nursing. This specialty is more suitable for the independent people who can sustain well on adrenaline rushes. These people will surely feel bored when they are put in departments like nursing informatics or clinical research. These fields are more suited for people who are introverted. Those people who like to work with elderly people can go for gerontological nursing.

So, before deciding upon your specialization, try to analyze yourself to determine which specialization is in line with your personality. To make it simple, chart down your strong and weak points, and consider which environment you can handle best. Always make an honest decision and don’t feel shame in your idea of going for a less stressful field if a less stressful environment is better suited to you.

Educational Requirements

While deciding on a specialty, you must always consider the amount of training you would need after getting your RN degree. Remember, some nursing specialties would require additional certification and advanced degrees. All nurses won’t be willing to go back to school for additional qualification. If you are one among them, don’t choose such specialties that require additional qualification. There are several RN specialties available in associate’s programs, too. Some of them are:

• Nephrology
• Obstetrics
• Radiology
• Rheumatology

On the other hand, if you are interested in taking additional programs, then you can go for the specialties like:

• Nursing administration
• Nurse education
• Case management
• Family nurse practitioner
• Clinical nurse specialist

These are specialties that are solely available for the nurses with an MSN degree.

Work Settings

It may not seem important for some of you. However, we would say, you need to consider your work settings before selecting your specialization. Although most of the jobs in nursing would go to hospitals irrespective of the specialty chosen, some specialties would provide you the chance to work in other settings like schools, corporations, and government organizations.

Remember, there are vast differences between practicing in an emergency unit and in a school. Therefore, those who are looking to practice in a hospital can choose specialties like:

• Ambulatory
• Cardiovascular
• Emergency
• Perioperative

On the other hand, if you want to practice in a non-hospital setting, you can go with the following popular options:

• Hospice
• Cruise ship
• School
• Dialysis
• Public health nursing

In addition, you can go for specialties like infection control and telephone triage if you are not interested in handling patients.

Stress Levels

More often, the more demanding nursing jobs will come with perks and prestige. For example, the chief nursing officer is the nursing job that is often considered to be a highly privileged position. On the other hand, a certified registered nurse anesthetist is another highly demanding position that is often highly paid too. But, these positions can’t come to us very easily. These are the positions that are rewarding for someone who can sustain well during challenges. Think about how much can you handle in a day. Some job positions would demand you to work long and irregular hours. The jobs like these are not only stressful, but also would make it difficult to manage your work-family equilibrium. So, before considering jobs like these, determine how supportive your family members are for you.

Current and Future Location

You might be very confident that the job market for nurses is excellent now, and this trend will follow in the future too. While this is generally true, you may have to consider your location of stay. If you don’t have any plans of relocating, you would have to choose the specialty that is currently in demand at your current location. On the other hand, if you have plans of relocating, you may have to consider additional aspects. Remember, some specialties that are available in big cities may not be available in smaller cities. If you are considering some advanced nursing specialties, you should also consider the licensure requirements in the state where you live in. While some states are allowing nurses to practice on their own, some other states require physician supervision.