Why Consider a Career in Psychiatric Nurse Practicing?

By  //  November 28, 2022

Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but it can also be challenging. Nursing has many different specialties, each with its focus area and skill set.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 3,130,600 jobs for registered nurses in 2021.

Here are six specialties we think you should consider if you’re thinking about pursuing a career in nursing:

Nurse Anesthetists

If you’re interested in the medical field, nurse anesthetists are the type of healthcare provider many consider a good career fit.

They are the only healthcare professionals who administer anesthesia and work in many different settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, physicians’ offices, and nursing homes.

If you want to do this, you can join a large network of 43,950 employed nurse anesthetists in the USA.

Nurse anesthetists work closely with other professionals to ensure that patients receive safe and effective anesthesia for surgeries or birthing babies.

Their expertise is precious to other healthcare providers because they can assess how much medication is needed to block pain so patients can get through their procedures safely.

Nurse anesthetists may also help monitor vital signs during surgery to know when a patient needs additional medications or treatment before it becomes life-threatening.

Family Nurse Practitioner

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse with advanced education and clinical training qualified to provide primary healthcare to the entire family. FNPs may also offer services to individuals or small groups of patients.

When you’re looking into your nursing career, it’s good to know that there are many specialties within the field of nursing. This will allow you to choose what best suits your needs as a caregiver and help you discover your passion for helping others.

According to recent data, FNPs constitute the most significant chunk of the total nurse practitioners.

There are a total of 147,260 family nurse practitioners. You can become an FNP by getting the relevant education. 

If you have an Associate Degree in Nursing, you can take a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN). You can further study for a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN). However, if you have a registered nurse (R.N.) degree, you can also directly go for MSN if you connect with the right institute.

If you can’t join a full-time on-campus program, look for online R.N. to MSN programs. Moreover, opt for a provider in places with the most healthcare requirements.

This is true for the fastest-growing states in the USA. Fastest-growing states like Texas and Florida have the worst healthcare.

Hence, opt for R.N. to MSN online programs available in Florida or Texas to make a difference. By becoming an FNP in these states, you can play your part in improving healthcare as the growing population becomes a concern.

Nurse Midwife

Nurse midwives are registered nurses who care for pregnant women and newborns. They are trained to give accurate information about pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Midwifery is a traditional approach to maternity care that emphasizes personal responsibility for health and well-being.

Midwives work in hospitals, birth centers, or homes as they deliver babies and provide gynecological care for women from adolescence through menopause. They also educate expectant mothers on prenatal nutrition, infant care, and breastfeeding techniques.

According to the WHO, around 27 million people are in the global nursing and midwifery departments, representing 50% of the healthcare workforce.

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

A gerontological nurse practitioner is the perfect career choice if you’re interested in working with older adults and their families. As a GNP, you’ll have the opportunity to provide primary care for your patients and focus on preventing illness and promoting wellness. 

In addition to providing care for individuals over 65, you may work with adolescents experiencing cognitive problems due to brain injury or conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Above all else, GNPs must maintain excellent communication skills when providing patient care because many of them will deal with terminally ill patients in hospice situations. 

The goal here isn’t simply to treat symptoms. Instead, it’s about treating the whole person by weighing their physical needs against other factors, such as emotional support from family members and caregivers (if applicable).

In order to become certified as a gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP), candidates must complete an accredited program.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is a nurse with advanced training who works in the mental health field. They can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, prescribe medications or refer patients to other specialists. According to recent data, there are around 9,930 PNPs in the USA.

The duties of a PNP include evaluating patients, diagnosing their needs, and prescribing treatment plans that may include therapy or medication. They also support families and caregivers when caring for someone with a mental illness.

To become a PNP, you’ll need an associate’s degree in nursing and certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

It’s also recommended that you have on-the-job experience working with people who suffer from mental health issues before applying for this role to build up your confidence when dealing with them face-to-face.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse

Before, you may have heard the term “neonatal intensive care unit” or NICU. That’s because it’s an area in a hospital where babies born prematurely are treated.

A neonatal intensive care nurse (NICU nurse) is responsible for caring for these patients in a way that ensures they live as healthy and happy lives as possible. 

This often means providing round-the-clock attention to infants with complex medical problems.

But NICU nurses aren’t just there to help their tiny charges. They also play an important role in helping parents understand how to best care for their newborns outside of the hospital environment when they’re discharged home again. 

They provide education about feeding methods and other key topics and can even help craft discharge plans so that families know what steps to take at home after being discharged from the NICU.

Conclusion

Nursing is a rewarding career that does not have to end after graduation. There are many specialties in nursing, so if you want to keep working as a nurse after your initial training, there are plenty of opportunities. It’s important, though, to do research before deciding on what type of specialty you want because not every job will suit everyone.