Nursing Specialties: Deciding On or Changing Nursing Specialties

Reasons to Study Nursing in Australia - PFEC Global

Is it hard to switch nursing specialties? Can you change nursing specialties? Those are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to nursing, and the answer is yes, you could, but changing is not easy. Deciding on or changing nursing specialties is common and there are healthcare traveler jobs by Advantage Medical Professionals that you could look at if you are planning on becoming a healthcare traveler and want to change nursing speciality.

How do I choose a nursing specialty?

  1. What is your personal interest?

Every nursing job and positions come with their own pace and environment. You could try one that fully fits your style so that you will fit in comfortably and you would be able to work at your optimum level.

  1. How do you like to engage with people?

Some nurses are naturally introverted, while some are extroverts. Understanding your personality will help you choose a nursing specialty that is fit for you.

Possible Nursing Specialties for Introverts

  • Forensics Nurse
  • Legal Nurse Consultant
  • Nurse Researcher
  • Information Specialists

Possible Nursing Specialties for Extroverts

  • Critical Care or ICU Nurse
  • Emergency Nurse
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse
  1. Consider the day-to-day job

Consider what your day-to-day work would look like and if that is what you envision yourself doing and if it fits with your personality type. Do you want to work closely with patients in a high-touch role, or would you prefer to be away from the bedside?

  1. What job setting is best for you?

Nurses have the option of working in a non-hospital setting, including schools, public health departments, correction facilities, industrial job sites, rescue helicopters, research labs, and physicians’ offices. You are going to have to consider which environment you want to be in.

  1. Do you thrive under pressure or find it stressful?

Other people find it easier to thrive under pressure, another break under pressure and since there are more demanding jobs with higher prestige or higher salaries, career perks can be rewarding for those who are thriving under pressure. You have to be aware of how you could handle stress because that could affect your career.

  1. What is the typical salary for your specialty?

Registered nurses made a median salary of $71,730 a year in 2018 and nurse practitioners made about $113,930 the same year. If you are ambitious and want to make a lot of money, you should pursue management and leadership positions or choose an in-demand clinical specialty with high salary potential.

  1. How is the job market where you want to live and work?

The job market for nurses is excellent in general, so you need to choose a field that is in demand in the place that you live in now or the place that you are planning on moving to.

  1. How technologically inclined are you?

If you like technology, computers, and helping your hospital with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, you should consider roles in nursing informatics. 

  1. What additional certifications will you need?

Your certificates are the ones that could bring you far since many specialties require nurses who have this specific training and certifications on top of their education and prior experience. Once you are certified, there are annual requirements that you are going to have to maintain your status, so education is a continuous process.

  1. The educational prerequisites you need

Nurses who want to advance their practice faster are going to need a master’s degree, maybe even going for a doctorate. You need to enter a program that focuses on specialties that you are interested in exploring like case management, infection prevention and control, nursing education, and nursing management and organizational leadership. The more experience and educational background you have, the better.

Can a nurse specialize in more than one specialty?

Yes, there is actually no limit in that regard. As long as you have gained the experiences and you are continuing with your education, you could switch and have more specialty as much as you can. 

Most Common Career Change for Nurses

  1. Physical Therapist
  2. Clinical Social Worker
  3. Medical and Pharmaceutical Sales
  4. Nutritionist
  5. Medical Writer

Nursing is one of the most in-demand jobs at the moment and would continue to be in demand. As a nurse, there are always going to be opportunities that could possibly open up to you.