Nursing has become far more advanced over the previous decade. No longer is a nurse just second fiddle to a doctor, in many situations nurses are the only healthcare professional that patients are dealing with on a regular basis. After becoming an Registered Nurse (RN) you have the option to specialize in certain areas. There are many options and sometimes the various choices can get a bit confusing.
There are four basic ways to specialize:
1. Based on work setting or type of treatment
2. Based on specific health conditions
3. Based on organs or body systems
4. Based on a well defined population
RNs who specialize based on work setting or type of treatment have no limit to their options. Critical care nurses provide care to patients with complicated illnesses or injuries that require close monitoring. Holistic nurses provide treatment through acupuncture, massage and aroma therapy. Perioperative nurses assist surgeons with surgery. There are many more, and new ones come up as the healthcare industry evolves.
RNs looking to specialize based on specific health conditions are not at a loss for options. Addiction nurses care for patients who have problems with alcohol, drug, tobacco, or other additions. Diabetes management nurses help diabetic patients in taking care of their lifestyle. HIV/AIDS nurses care for patients diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. All the major illnesses have specialization that an RN can potentially look into.
Nurses who specialize in a specific organ or body type are usually employed by hospitals or speciality clinics. Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with heart problems and post-heart-surgery care. Ophthalmic nurses provide care for patients with eye problems like glaucoma and blindness. Dermatology nurses help patients with skin disorders and diseases. Again there are many options to pick from in this type of specialization as well.
The final way for an RN to specialize is by focusing on a segment of the population. Geriatric nurses care for the elderly. Pediatric nurses help children and adolescents. Neonatology nurses take care of newborns.
There is yet another way to do a more advanced specializa
