Now, you are at the crossroad and thinking about what nursing specialty you should choose. Glad you find this article!

We will dive into the 10 most common nursing specialties, and let's explore which one might be your favorite!

Let's talk about understanding your career goals in a way that even your grandma would get it. So, before you can choose the best nursing specialty for your career goals, you need to know what those goals are.

It's time for some soul-searching. Think about what you like, what you're good at, and what you need to work on. And don't forget to consider the important stuff, like how much money you want to make, where you want to work, and what kind of patients you want to help. Once you have a handle on that, you can start looking at nursing specialties that will get you where you want to go.

Now, let's explore different nursing specialties. There are so many options out there, from Medical-Surgical Nursing to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Don't get overwhelmed, though. Do your research, evaluate the roles and responsibilities of each specialty, and weigh the pros and cons.

 are responsible for caring for adult patients who are acutely ill or recovering from surgery. They work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

📚 Medical-surgical nursing is a broad specialty that requires excellent critical thinking and assessment skills, as well as strong communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

average annual pay for a medical-surgical nurse

 a year. That works out to be approximately $52.53 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,101/week or $9,105/month.

 specialize in caring for infants, children, and adolescents. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, providing care for a range of conditions, from minor illnesses to chronic diseases.

📚 Pediatric nursing requires strong communication skills, as well as patience and empathy when working with young patients and their families

, but the range typically falls between $69,800 and $88,200

 specialize in caring for patients with cancer. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, providing emotional and physical support for patients and their families throughout their cancer journey.

📚 Oncology nursing requires a deep understanding of the complexities of cancer care, as well as excellent communication and advocacy skills.

, but the range typically falls between $73,700 and $92,100

 specialize in caring for patients in emergency situations, such as accidents, trauma, and sudden illness. They work in emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and trauma centers, providing rapid assessment, triage, and stabilization for patients in critical condition.

📚 Emergency nursing requires quick thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

$79,000 (25th percentile) to $156,000 (75th percentile)

 specialize in caring for patients with mental health and behavioral disorders. They work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, providing support, counseling, and medication management for patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

📚 Psychiatric-mental health nursing requires strong assessment and intervention skills, as well as empathy and compassion for patients and their families.

, but the range typically falls between $74,500 and $91,900.

 specialize in caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, providing support, education, and medical care for women throughout their reproductive years.

📚 Obstetrics and gynecology nursing requires a deep understanding of women's health, as well as excellent communication and assessment skills.

. Ob/gyn nurse salaries typically range between $48,000 and $148,000 a year.

 specialize in caring for patients who are critically ill or injured. They work in intensive care units, emergency departments, and other high-acuity settings, providing advanced life support and monitoring for patients with complex medical conditions.

📚 Critical care nursing requires advanced assessment and intervention skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure.

 specialize in caring for elderly patients with complex medical conditions. They work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health settings, providing care for conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic illness.

📚 Geriatric nursing requires a deep understanding of the unique health needs of elderly patients, as well as strong communication and advocacy skills.

 specialize in caring for patients with disabilities or chronic illnesses, helping them to regain their physical and emotional well-being. They work in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers, providing support, education, and medical care for patients with conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.

📚 Rehabilitation nursing requires excellent assessment and intervention skills, as well as strong communication and motivational skills.

, but the salary range typically falls between $78,795 and $97,271.

 specialize in teaching and mentoring future nurses. They work in academic settings, healthcare organizations, and community programs, providing education and training for aspiring nurses at all levels of education.

📚 Nurse educators require excellent communication and teaching skills, as well as a passion for promoting nursing excellence and improving patient care.

, but the salary range typically falls between $89,296 and $119,272.

Researching and Evaluating Nursing Specialties

As you start to narrow down your options for nursing specialties, it's time to put your research hat on. Don't worry, we're not asking you to become Sherlock Holmes or anything, but you do need to do your due diligence. Check out professional organizations, and job boards, and set up some informational interviews. You'll be surprised by how much you can learn from the experts in the field.

Now, when you're evaluating potential employers and job opportunities within a nursing specialty, it's important to do a little digging. Don't just jump at the first job offer you get. Check out the organization's reputation, work culture, and benefits. You want to make sure you're not getting yourself into a toxic work environment or signing up for a job that's not a good fit for you.

Last but not least, consider your long-term career goals and opportunities for growth and development within a specialty. Don't just think about what's good for you right now, think about where you want to be in five, ten, or even twenty years. Is this nursing specialty going to help you get there? Will it give you opportunities to grow and develop your skills? Don't be afraid to ask these big questions. It's your career!

Once you've chosen a nursing specialty, it's time to take action. Gain experience and skills in that specialty, pursue certifications and training opportunities, and network like it's your job (because it is). You want to be the best darn nurse you can be, so take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. And who knows? You might just end up being the go-to nurse in your chosen specialty.

A Comprehensive Guide to choosing Nursing Specialty