Nursing Specialization
By Disease
RNs specializing in a particular disease,
ailment, or condition are employed in virtually all
work settings, including physicians’ offices,
outpatient treatment facilities, home health care
agencies, and hospitals. For instance, addictions
nurses treat patients seeking help with alcohol,
drug, and tobacco addictions. Developmental
disabilities nurses provide care for patients with
physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities; care
may include help with feeding, controlling bodily
functions, and sitting or standing independently.
Diabetes management nurses help diabetics to
manage their disease by teaching them proper
nutrition and showing them how to test blood sugar
levels and administer insulin injections. Genetics
nurses provide early detection screenings and
treatment of patients with genetic disorders,
including cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
HIV/AIDS nurses care for patients diagnosed with
HIV and AIDS. Oncology nurses care for patients with
various types of cancer and may administer radiation
and chemotherapies. Finally, wound, ostomy, and
continence nurses treat patients with wounds caused
by traumatic injury, ulcers, or arterial disease;
provide postoperative care for patients with
openings that allow for alternative methods of
bodily waste elimination; and treat patients with
urinary and fecal incontinence.
Nursing Specialization By Population
RNs may specialize by providing
preventive and acute care in all health care
settings to various segments of the population,
including newborns (neonatology), children and
adolescents (pediatrics), adults, and the elderly
(gerontology or geriatrics). RNs also may provide
basic health care to patients outside of health care
settings in such venues as including correctional
facilities, schools, summer camps, and the military.
Some RNs travel around the United States and abroad
providing care to patients in areas with shortages
of medical professionals.
Information nursing career specialties
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