Nurses can work in over 100 different nursing specialties. These specialty areas can range from lactation consultant to hospice nurse and beyond. The vast range of specialties means that nurses can craft their own career path according to their interests and strengths.

Many are drawn to nursing for its range of day-to-day responsibilities and variety of specialties, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can qualify you to work in many different areas. Marian University’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, with locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Nashville, Tennessee, can make a nursing career possible even sooner. If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 30 non-nursing college credits, you could graduate in as few as 16 months from our ABSN program.

First, consider the different nursing career paths and explore some top specialty areas. Then, consider which specialty area may be the best choice for you, given your interests and strengths. You may also wish to consider the opportunities you can access with Marian University’s clinical partners.

What Are the Different Types of Nursing Career Paths?

It’s important to choose a nursing specialty based on your professional interests. The specialty you choose can lead to specific career advancement opportunities later. For example, a nurse who starts out working in a primary care office may later work toward becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Similarly, an emergency room nurse may later progress to becoming a flight nurse.

Exploring different nursing career paths during nursing school can help prepare you for graduation and to enter the workplace. It is better to know what you enjoy and are skilled at ahead of time to avoid committing to a job that doesn’t fit you.

Marian University is committed to providing excellent practical experiences through our clinical partnerships in the Indianapolis and Nashville areas. The skills you learn in your clinical rotations can possibly give you experience in certain specialties and a head start in your career.

Popular Nursing Specialties to Consider

Some of the many different types of nurses include the following:

1. Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses work with children and their families in various situations, from general family care and checkups to medical emergencies. These nurses are excellent with children and understand how children’s development and health needs differ from adults. In addition to earning a BSN, a pediatric nurse can pursue certified pediatric nurse (CPN) certification.

2. Critical Care Nurse

A critical care nurse works with patients who are suffering from severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. You may be a great fit for critical care nursing if you thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. These nurses are quick on their feet and passionate about providing life-saving care, often handling highly complex patient cases. A future critical care nurse must earn their BSN and can eventually pursue critical care nursing (CCRN) certification.

3. Neonatal Nurse

Newborn babies often require quite a bit of attention and specialty care, and neonatal nurses provide both. Neonatal nursing can mean performing hearing and vision tests and ensuring the child is healthy. Often, however, neonatal nurses work in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), treating babies who require additional medical and surgical care and restoring them to a stable condition.

4. Obstetrics Nurse

Obstetric (OB) nurses provide crucial care to mothers during pregnancy, labor and childbirth. These nurses often build strong relationships with patients. This job can be joyful as parents prepare to bring new life into the world, but it can also be emotionally difficult when patients face challenges like infertility and miscarriages. To become an OB nurse, you will need your BSN degree. After gaining experience, you can obtain an RNC-OB certification.

5. Geriatric Nurse

With the increase in the older population, geriatric nurses are needed now more than ever. These nurses provide holistic care to older patients who often have complex co-morbidities and are experiencing declining functional capacity. While geriatric nurses care for their patients’ health needs, they also often provide emotional support during a confusing and challenging time in the patient’s life. Get started by earning your BSN.

Choosing the Right Nursing Specialty for You

How can you determine which of the many nursing specialties best suits you? First, think about which topic areas of the nursing curriculum interested you the most. If you enjoyed learning about cardiac conditions, behavioral health or community health, then perhaps one of those specialty areas is the right choice for you.

You might also think about the patient population that you would most enjoy working with. Would you prefer to work with infants, kids, adults or seniors? Consider your work setting options, as well. Can you envision yourself as a school nurse or camp nurse? Do you think you might enjoy the autonomy of a home health nurse or the fast-paced setting of the emergency room or trauma center?

Consider your personality and personal qualities. If you thrive in a fast-paced setting and can stay calm under pressure, consider joining an ICU unit. If you have a great deal of empathy, consider oncology nursing or hospice care.

Get Started With Marian University’s Accelerated BSN

Marian University is a leading choice for future nurses who are interested in higher education with a spiritual purpose. Our curriculum is integrated with our Franciscan values. As a Catholic university, we promote nursing education that upholds the dignity of the individual and takes a holistic approach to patient care.

As an ABSN student at Marian University, you’ll be fully supported in your nursing journey. You’ll have access to Academic Success Coaches, and you’ll be taught by attentive faculty members and clinical instructors. No matter which nursing career path suits you best, you can get off to a great start at Marian University.

Contact our admission advisors today to determine whether you could be eligible to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.