About Specialized Types of Nursing

Nursing is a broadly defined practice that encompasses the assessment, promotion and skills needed to improve or maintain physical and mental health. In the United States, there are two broad categories of nurses: Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practitioner Nurses (LPNs). As medicine has become increasingly complex, nursing has begun developing a significant number of specializations similar to those of physicians. Some of the major nurse specializations are discussed below.

Critical Care Nursing

• Critical care nurses help to manage patients that are extremely ill (late stage degenerative diseases, for example) or highly unstable (following surgery, for example). They often work in intensive care units or in emergency rooms.

Psychiatric Nursing

• Psychiatric nurses specialize in the care of the mentally ill, such as those with personality or mood disorders. They typically receive additional training in psychological treatment methodologies and the appropriate handling of psychiatric medications. Some psychiatric nurses with advanced degrees are permitted to prescribe medication on a limited basis.

Pediatric Nursing

• Pediatric nurses focus on the health care management of children and teens. This can cover the entire range of medical issues that can afflict those in these age groups, from chicken pox to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Neo-Natal Nursing

• Neo-natal nurses specialize in the treatment of infants. They may choose to work with healthy or premature infants.

Geriatic Nursing

• Geriatric nurses focus on providing health care to the elderly. This may require working with those who have dementia. As those who approach the end of life may be taking numerous prescription medications, a geriatric nurse may need to monitor patients closely for drug interactions.