5 Fastest Growing Nurse Specializations

A nursing career can offer long-term job security. Nurses are in demand and the career is projected to see an impressive 16% growth through 2024. But, nursing is also a career with endless possibilities.

All nurses have great growth potential as they continue their education due to a variety of specializations. Here are the five fastest growing specialty careers for nurses:

1. Nurse anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists are always, and are expected to continue to be in very high demand. A nurse anesthetist’s main responsibility is to give anesthesia to patients who are going into surgery. They require high levels of training to ensure their decisions are made with the best possible consideration of the patient.

The need for nurse anesthetists is expected to increase 31% through 2026, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.  And this nursing specialty if expected to continue to grow as while more and more surgeries and performed to outpatient facilities.

Median salary: $150,000

2. Certified nurse midwife

Nurse midwives see a lot of joy in their jobs. They are the nurse specialists who care for patients through the entire birth process from pregnancy to labor and birth. They deliver babies and work alongside obstetricians throughout the course of pregnancies. Midwives also help new mothers with follow-up care and education after babies are born. Many can be found working alongside gynecologists to help with other reproductive education and treatment branching into subjects such as puberty and menopause.

The job outlook for this position is bright, showing a predicted growth of 9% by the year 2022, which is a faster growth rate than other professions across the United States.

Median salary: $96,000

3. Certified dialysis nurse

Dialysis nurses specialize in diseases of the kidneys. They are part of a larger specialty known as nephrology nursing. They support, medicate, and monitor patients who are undergoing dialysis. They also help them manage their disease by educating them on lifestyle choices.

Demand for this position shows a steady growth, about 26% over the next decade, according to the United States Board of Labor Statistics. This may be because nearly ten percent of the U.S. population is affected by liver disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which accounts for the rise in the need for dialysis treatments.

Median salary: $75,000

4. Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners are currently in high demand. They are licensed clinicians that are not required to work under direct supervision of a doctor. Nurse practitioners are highly educated and have advanced training. This gives them the ability to diagnosis and treat acute illnesses and chronic conditions. Because of their advanced training and ability to diagnose patients, they offer a cost-effective option for primary health care.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job growth for nurse practitioners will rise by 36% by the year 2026.

Median salary: $95,000

5. Nurse case manager

Managed care and budget cuts are at the forefront of health care. Because of this, RN case managers are in high demand and the opportunities for employment are set to increase. Case Management Nurses coordinate long-term care for chronically ill patients. They manage a patient’s care in order to maintain their helth and keep them out of the hospital.RN case managers are, at the very least, a registered nurse. The position of nurse case manager is often one of the most desirable at a hospital.

It also is a good way for an RN to transition away from the regular job of nursing.

Median salary: $69,000

By selecting these booming nursing specialties, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a successful nursing career and provide critical care for patients. As a bonus, you will be able to earn a good salary in a job field you enjoy.

Whether you need to advance your education, or you’re just starting out in the medical field, nursing offers incredible career paths. Athena Career Academy can help you choose the right program for your career goals. For more information or to schedule a campus tour, please contact us online at AthenaCareers.edu or reach us directly at 419.329.4075.