How to Specialize in an Area of Nursing
Specializing in a specific area of nursing can enhance your career by increasing your professional growth, earnings potential, competency, and credibility. With around 80 nursing specialties available, you can specialize in an area of nursing by finding the right one and becoming certified in it.
Considering you will spend a lot of time learning about and working in a particular specialty, you need to carefully consider which one is the best fit for you. First, think about your personality. Do you find yourself interacting better with patients of a certain age? Nurses spend most of their time working directly with people, so you want to make sure your personality is brought out by the people you will work with. Are you drawn to certain specialties more than others because of the issues, treatments, and people they involve? Since the field of medicine is constantly changing, nurses have to maintain their education to keep up with it, so you will want to specialize in something you enjoy learning about. Second, think about what type of environment you want to work in. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of hospitals, or the orderliness and calmness of private offices? Nurses often work long shifts and spend a lot of time at their place of employment, so you need to make sure it is one that brings out the best in you and not the worst.
To prove your expertise in a certain area of nursing, you will have to get certified in it. You can usually obtain a certification through professional nursing associations in specialty practice areas or nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center. To earn a specialized certification you must first meet eligibility requirements. These requirements will differ depending on specialty and credentialing organization, but typically include that you have a certain amount of college education, a current and unrestricted license as a registered nurse, and have completed a minimum number of hours working in the specialty practice area, as well as general nursing, within the last few years. You will then be required to pass an examination that will assess your knowledge of the specialized area and your ability to apply that knowledge to medical situations. Upon successfully passing the exam, you will receive your certificate which serves as validation of your expertise. These certifications usually only last a set number of years and require re-examination or continuing education in order to maintain certification and learn about advancements in the field.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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