Nurses with a BSN can choose from many nursing specialties in demand. Some types of nurses include surgical nurses, obstetric nurses, inpatient or outpatient care nurses, critical care nurses, emergency nurses, long-term care nurses, travel nurses, nurse educators, APRNs and home health nurses.
From surgery to obstetrics, there are many different types of nurses you could become when you earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Knowing which nursing specialties are in demand can help you choose which career path to take.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall job growth for registered nurses (RNs) in all nursing specialties is 6%, faster than average, indicating that healthcare employers expect to hire about 197,200 new RNs from 2023 through 2033. No matter which specialty you decide to pursue, you can get your start at Northeastern University.
Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to use your non-nursing college education toward earning a nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Plus, you’ll be able to try many specialties hands-on through clinical rotations. At Northeastern, we’re committed to providing our nursing students with the best possible learning experiences.
What's the fastest way to earn a BSN? Learn more about how an accelerated nursing program can help you reach your goals sooner.
See below for 14 of the most in-demand nursing specialties, for many of which nurses can work day or night shifts or pursue certifications.
1. Inpatient Care Nurse
Nurses are needed within a variety of units throughout inpatient hospital environments. Inpatient nurses treat patients with myriad health conditions, from heart disease to infections to cancer, performing a range of tasks from medication administration to care coordination. These nurses are masters of managing ever-changing healthcare situations, often caring for different patients each shift.
Inpatient care nurses can work the pulmonary, cardio, rehabilitation or orthopedic units, to name a few. If you enjoy shiftwork within a hospital setting, inpatient care nursing may be an ideal fit. No specific career requirements are necessary beyond a nursing degree and license.
Skills of Inpatient Care Nurses
- Adaptability to changing work environments
- Collaboration with a large healthcare team
- Reliability with managing patient care plans
- Relationship building with patients and families
2. Critical Care Nurse
One of the nursing specialties in demand is critical care nursing. Critical care nurses are responsible for managing complex patients and handling high-stress health situations. These nurses care for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), so they often manage people on ventilators and those with life-threatening, acute conditions.
Critical care units use a similar schedule to other hospital units.
In addition to general nursing requirements, critical care nurses can benefit from pursuing professional certifications, such as those available from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Certifications are available in different subspecialties, such as cardiac surgery.
Skills of Critical Care Nurses
- Crisis management in life-threatening situations
- Efficiency with processes and patient care
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication and teamwork with a highly involved care team
3. Emergency Nurse
Nurses in the emergency department are the first line of care for patients who come into the hospital seeking healthcare. They work with patients of all ages, and their role focuses on triage, diagnosis, and stabilization.
ER nurses treat patients with a range of acute and emergent health conditions, including heart attacks, broken bones, traumatic injuries, pain, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, and more. Nurses in the ER focus on treating urgent concerns and determining if further care is needed. They help stabilize a patient’s condition before heading to surgery, transferring to another hospital unit, or discharging. If you’re someone who enjoys new challenges with every shift, emergency nursing is a great option.
After gaining some experience in the ER, you may wish to pursue certification. One option for ER nurses is certification through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Skills of Emergency Nurses
- Stress management during intense situations
- Patient diagnosis and stabilization skills
- Empathy with a diverse patient population
- Streamlined communication with patients and care team
4. Surgical Nurse
As a surgical nurse, you will work with a variety of patients before, during, and after surgery. Surgical nurses evaluate patients prior to their procedure, assist the surgical team in the operating room, and manage patients after they wake up from surgery.
If you enjoy working as part of the operating room surgical team and you excel at collaborating with a safety-minded, protocol-driven team, surgical nursing may be a great fit for you.
After gaining at least two years of clinical experience, surgical nurses may pursue professional certification. The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR®) credential is a highly regarded certification for this nursing specialty.
Skills of Surgical Nurses
- Precision with following protocol
- Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
- Comfort in the high-pressure surgical environment
- Ability to reassure and educate patients and families in stressful health situations
5. Travel Nurse
Travel nurses work as short-term staff for healthcare facilities, working for a few weeks or months in each location. They cover nursing shortages caused by increased patient loads and nurse staffing gaps. Travel nursing isn’t a specific specialty in itself; rather, travel roles are available for different types of nurses. Travel nurses generally have stronger earning potential and can make even more in specialties that require more advanced knowledge or certifications.
If you desire to visit different cities across the country, travel nursing is a great opportunity. These nurses enjoy living a flexible lifestyle.
To work as a travel nurse, you will need to seek out contracts using a travel nurse agency as an intermediary. Travel nurse agencies generally require at least a couple of years of clinical experience.
Skills of Travel Nurses
- Adaptability to changing environments and ability to learn quickly
- Confidence with nursing care
- Relationship-building skills
6. Long-Term Care Nurse
Long-term care nurses work with patients in nursing homes, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and similar settings. They may develop close bonds with residents who live in the facility for months or even years. Nurses in these settings manage chronic conditions, give medications, perform treatments, and help patients recover and gain strength. There is a focus on palliative care.
As the U.S. population ages, the number of people needing nursing home care is increasing. Because of this, long-term care nursing is one of the top nursing specialties in demand.
One certification option for these types of nurses is the Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC). This is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Skills of Long-Term Care Nurses
- Reliability and consistency in treating patients
- Listening skills and ability to earn patient trust
- Compassion for those with disabilities
7. Obstetric Nurse
In obstetrics, the nurse’s role consists of caring for mothers during and around childbirth. OB nurses monitor the fetal condition, aid mothers in the labor and delivery process, and help new mothers care for their newborns. Obstetric nurses may work in the labor and delivery unit within a hospital, or they may work in a dedicated birth center.
OB nurses work closely with their patients, and building rapport is a must.
There are various certification options for OB nurses, such as the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®) credential and the Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification (C-EFM), both from the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Skills of Obstetric Nurses
- Ability to earn patient trust and care for their unique needs
- Respect for women during vulnerable health situations
- Comfort with the fast-paced and ever-changing environment of labor and delivery
- Attention to detail and ability to monitor patient status carefully
8. Nurse Educator
With the increasing need for nurses amid the nursing shortage, educating quality nurses is of high importance. Nurse educators teach the next generation of nurses, earning a median annual salary of $80,780 as of May 2023. These educators teach nursing skills and simulation labs, helping nursing students learn hands-on nursing skills. They also teach didactic nursing courses that provide foundational knowledge about health conditions and treatment.
Nurse educators generally need at least a master’s degree and clinical experience, and they can work for universities or healthcare systems. If you have a passion for teaching others and you enjoy working with new nurses, becoming a nurse educator could be a great growth opportunity for you.
Skills of Nurse Educators
- Teaching skills and ability to simplify complicated health information
- Empathy for students
- Organization with creating a teaching plan
9. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
An APRN career is ideal for those with high career aspirations who desire more independence in their nursing practice. APRNs can work in the hospital or clinic setting. They can manage patients independently, determine treatment plans, and prescribe medications in many states.
There are various advanced practice specialties to choose from, each earning competitive salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Nurse practitioner - $126,260
- Nurse anesthetist - $212,650
- Nurse-midwife - $129,650
Advanced practice nurses need either a master’s or doctorate degree. They also need to pass a board certification exam in their specialty and obtain a state-issued APRN license. If you’re looking for a great way to grow your career and expand your scope of practice, consider working toward becoming an APRN.
Skills of APRNs
- Communication skills with patients
- Leadership skills for diagnosing and implementing treatments
- Passion for excellence and lifelong learning
- Collaboration with other healthcare providers
Learn the steps for how to become a nurse practitioner with a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
10. Outpatient Clinic Nurse
Nurses can work in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, and for those who enjoy a predictable daytime schedule, outpatient clinics are a great option. In the clinic setting, nurses assist physicians and other healthcare providers in managing a busy clinic schedule. Nurses in the clinic interview and examine patients, take patient vitals, administer vaccines, provide treatments, and manage charting in the electronic medical record.
Depending on your interests, you can choose one of many specialties for outpatient clinical nursing, including:
- Family medicine
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
- Orthopedics and sports medicine
- Mental health
- Cardiology
Additional certifications are available for outpatient clinic nurses, but the one you should pursue will depend on your specific career focus (e.g., orthopedics, etc.)
Skills of Outpatient Care Nurses:
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Efficiency with a busy clinic schedule
- Communication skills with patients and healthcare providers
11. Home Healthcare Nurse
Home health nurses provide nursing care for patients in their homes. They often treat elderly patients or those who are physically unable to visit a physician’s office or treatment facility. They manage long-term illness or disability and help patients recover from major surgery.
When these nurses visit their patients’ homes, they take assessments and vitals, evaluate progress, monitor medications, and recommend inpatient care or specialist evaluations if needed. Home healthcare nurses also have the benefit of advocating for mental health and developing long-term bonds with their patients.
Since home health nurses practice with greater autonomy than most RNs, they typically need at least a couple years of clinical experience at the bedside in a hospital or clinic. Home health nurses may also pursue professional certifications, such as the Home Health Nursing Certification (RN-BC) credential from the ANCC.
Skills of Home Healthcare Nurses
- Excellence in patient assessment and monitoring
- Friendliness and listening skills
- Consistency and trustworthiness
- Passion for relationship development
Interested in alternative nursing specialties? Discover more options for nursing jobs outside the hospital.
12. Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth nurses work with patients remotely, often using videoconferencing technology that is compliant with HIPAA requirements. Many patients are unable to visit a medical office due to issues such as physical disability or transportation problems. Those living in a healthcare desert may have to travel long distances to see a provider. Telehealth nursing helps bridge the gap in care, allowing patients to receive remote assessments and guidance.
Although telemedicine is conducted remotely, many telehealth nurses work from a medical office, although some may work from home. Telehealth nursing can be a challenging specialty, as nurses cannot perform head-to-toe assessments and must rely on questioning patients about their condition and symptoms. Because of this, telehealth nurses can benefit from having extensive clinical experience at the bedside before transitioning into a remote role.
There are no specific certifications available for telehealth nursing. However, these nurses often obtain the Ambulatory Care Nurse-Board Certified (AMB-BC) credential from the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN), as it has a section on telehealth nursing.
Skills of Telehealth Nurses
- Observation skills
- Communication skills
- Technological proficiency
- Patient education
13. Mental Health Nursing
Mental health nurses might work with inpatients or outpatients in hospitals, treatment programs, and addiction rehab centers. They help patients with a range of mental health challenges, such as depression, addiction use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide ideation, and others.
Mental health nurses perform a range of tasks, such as intake, patient assessments, treatment planning, medication administration, and crisis intervention. They can also counsel patients going through difficult times.
To enhance their qualifications, mental health nurses may seek professional certification. One common option is the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) credential from the ANCC.
Skills of Mental Health Nurses
- Crisis intervention
- Therapeutic communication
- Compassion and empathy
- Professional boundaries
14. Gerontology Nursing
Gerontology nursing, also called gerontological nursing, involves the care of older adults. Many older adults suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease, Parkinson’s, dementia, and diabetes, and they may also struggle with serious acute conditions like stroke and heart attack. Gerontology nurses strive to help their patients reduce the risk of disease and injury, improve quality of life, and promote long-term health.
Gerontology nurses may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, family care clinics, and long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
In addition to the usual nursing qualifications, gerontology nurses can benefit from professional certifications like the Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) from the ANCC. Additionally, they might seek continuing education courses on topics like Alzheimer’s disease and home modifications that enhance safety.
Skills of Gerontology Nurses
- Patient and family caregiver education
- Compassion and patience
- Observation skills
- Patient safety
- Patient advocacy
Prepare for Nursing Specialties in Demand at Northeastern
The options for high-demand nursing specialties are vast. The first step to choosing a nursing specialty that suits your passions and lifestyle is earning a BSN.
At Northeastern University, we’re committed to educating our students to become excellent care providers no matter which specialty they choose. In our ABSN program, you’ll learn through online courses and hands-on skills and simulation labs, as well as clinical rotations that provide real-world experience.
Eligible students with a prior bachelor’s degree or at least 62 college credits can earn a BSN at Northeastern in as few as 16 months. Contact our admissions counselors to learn more about how to begin your nursing journey.
