Nursing Career Specialties

Clinical nurses practice in pediatrics, neonatology, maternity, family nursing, geriatrics, infection control, medical surgical, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, oncology, emergency/trauma, perioperative, and mental health in settings such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery, helicopter services, clinics, home health, public health, industry, long term care, schools, offices, hospice, churches and prisons.

Expanded roles of the nurse include midwifery, anesthesia, administration, research, education, legal consulting, forensics and entrepreneurship.

The broad goals of nursing in any setting or specialty are to promote health, prevent illness, restore health and to help people cope with disability or death.

Salary Ranges 

The average annual starting salary is $41,000. The average annual income of a Registered Nurse is $58,600.