RN’s specializing in a particular disease, ailment, or health care condition are employed in virtually all work settings, including physicians’ offices, outpatient treatment facilities, home health care agencies, and hospitals.
Addictions Nursing– nurses in this field specialize in pain management and regulatory treatment of patients who have been involved with some form of addiction to drugs, alcohol, or other substances. They also help to educate people about prevention, intervention, and treatment of individuals who are either at risk, currently addicted, or in the process of rehabilitating from addictions. Duties include the monitoring and assessment of detoxification, and administering drugs to help with the management of addiction.
Disabilities Nursing– these professionals are often referred to as special needs nurses, and they care for patients who have developmental or mental disabilities. Some examples of these kinds of patients include those with Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, and autism. A secondary function would be to educate families and friends of such patients about appropriate treatment. Duties include helping patients with eating, bathing, and other bodily functions.
Diabetes Management Nursing– just like it sounds, the nurse in this field assists patients and their families with the management of diabetes. They educate these individuals about diet, self-care, exercise, and proper administration of medications. Duties include educating patients about maintaining healthy glucose levels, blood pressure, and diet, and promoting lifestyle changes as needed.
Genetics Nursing– Genetics nurses analyze risk assessment for people who may be more susceptible to genetic disorders and diseases, and help patients and families understand the best healthcare management principles for dealing with such disorders. Some of the most common afflictions in this area include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Duties include performing risk assessments and educating patients about genetics and genetics research.
HIV/AIDS Nursing– nurses in this specialty area are trained on how to care safely for patients who have contracted the HIV virus, and for those who have had it develop into full-blown AIDS. Since this virus attacks the human immune system and often disables it, patients can literally be subject to almost any other form of bodily affliction or disease. Duties include providing care for infected patients, and educating them about coping and managing symptoms of the disease.
Oncology Nursing– oncology nurses have received a background in how to care for patients who are either currently afflicted with some form of cancer, or are at serious risk of doing so in the future. Some of the duties associated with this type of care are monitoring physical conditions, prescribing medications or other treatments, and sometimes administering chemotherapy. Duties include supervising and caring for patients with cancer.
Wound Nursing– patients requiring treatment for various wounds, injuries, or diseases need the assistance of a wound nurse. Wound nursing also includes caring for patients who have post-surgical ostomies, which are bodily openings used for the purpose of eliminating body wastes. Duties include the treatment of patients with wounds, burns, and surgical incisions.
Pediatrics Nurse– pediatrics covers the ages from infancy all the way up to young adulthood. This can include an enormous number of different conditions, including the treatment of common diseases like measles, tonsilitis, and chickenpox, immunizations, and the developmental monitoring of height and weight. Pediatrics nurses also work hand-in-hand with physicians and families to provide education to parents about their children, especially about preventive techniques and procedures. Duties include providing care and emotional support for families having children with diseases.
Geriatric Nurse– these nurses care especially for senior citizens, and are very knowledgeable about all the most common mental and physical issues confronting the elderly. Their duties can include education and prevention methods, to help families take care of their loved ones. Care can also include management and treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and many other afflictions which elderly persons are faced with. Duties include treating elderly patients and educating them and their families about problems which develop later in life.
Women’s Health Nurse– this field of nursing prepares a nurse to deal with a woman’s obstetrical and gynecological requirements associated with the child-bearing years of her life. It can include being a primary caretaker during the entire span of a woman’s life, under conditions which are relatively static. Duties include diagnosing, treating and educating women with health issues.
Neonatal Nurse– this field of care is concerned exclusively with infants, and all the various kinds of issues which they might face. Normal care is part of the total care provided, but also the abnormal situations which may come up like premature birth, infections, birth defects, heart conditions, and even problems during delivery. Typically the neonatal period is defined as including only the first month of life for a newborn, but in situations where complications are in effect, neonatal care will be extended to cover the period of treatment and recovery. Duties include working with other healthcare professionals to provide needed care to infants.
Mental Health Nurse– mental illness is the specific focus of care for nurses in this area of specialization. It will include both planning and support for families and patients who have been diagnosed with some kind of mental disorder. Counseling can also be a big part of helping a patient recover from some kind of disorder, and helping to prepare them for rejoining society as a functional human being. Duties include providing medical and emotional support for patients with mental illnesses.