Nursing is a remarkably adaptable career path, which is one of its greatest strengths. The field offers a range of subspecialties, allowing nurses to focus on areas they are passionate about and excel in.
These nursing specialties are generally overseen by professional organizations that offer certification to top practitioners. While this credentialing process is mostly voluntary, it’s still possible to specialize through work experience alone.
Experts predict significant growth in three key nursing specialties in 2013:
1. **Home Health Nursing**
In 2010, Medicare spent over $19 million on home health services, catering to 3.4 million beneficiaries. Despite funding cuts from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, home health services are expected to keep growing. This is largely because patients are being released from hospitals earlier than in the past due to financial pressures and efforts to avoid hospital-acquired infections. These patients often still need nursing care, which is where home health nurses come in.
Home health nurses visit patients in their homes, providing both acute and long-term care. Their duties include checking vital signs, caring for wounds, drawing blood, administering medications, and educating patients. They also document medication routines, patient progress, and other important care details. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts home health care will grow by 70% between 2010 and 2020. These nurses work for various organizations, including home care agencies, hospitals, community groups, and government programs.
2. **Geriatric Nursing**
Americans are living longer, and the number of people over 65 is expected to double from 30 million in 2000 to 71 million by 2030. The elderly population uses a significant portion of medical resources, including half of all hospital services and 70% of home care services. They also make up 80% of the population in nursing homes.
Geriatric patients have unique needs, both medical and nursing-related. Nurses in this specialty manage acute and chronic conditions that come with aging, many of which impact daily functioning. These nurses balance therapeutic interventions with efforts to maintain the best possible quality of life. Sometimes, palliative care becomes the best option as conditions worsen, in agreement with the patient’s family and medical support team.
Geriatric nurses find employment in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospices, and home health agencies. The BLS expects this specialty to grow by 23% by 2016.
3. **Nursing Informatics**
The 2011 Recovery and Rehabilitation Act mandated the complete adoption of electronic medical records by 2016 to improve health care services. Medical informatics, which involves managing health information digitally, is becoming increasingly vital.
Nursing informatics blends computer science with nursing management. This field helps nurses gather and analyze patient data to determine the most effective treatments and interventions.
The BLS projects an 18% growth in nursing informatics by 2016. Specialists in this area are typically registered nurses with additional training in computer science. They often work for healthcare organizations, government agencies, and private companies like insurance firms.
Overall, these nursing specialties are set to expand, offering exciting and rewarding career opportunities for nurses.