Under the broad umbrella of nursing, there is a wide variety of specialties. As with any industry, specialists exist to ensure the needs of all are met when something requires a particular amount of study or training. This couldn’t be truer for practical nurses (PNs), who can earn special certifications that allow them to work in more specific positions. Prism Career Institute is here to shed some more light on a few common PN specialties and their benefits.
Pediatric Care
For people who enjoy working with children, specializing in nursing for children can be a very rewarding and fulfilling career path, and there are several certifications you can earn that might be useful in this field. For example, you can become certified in pediatric advanced life support, which is important if you want to work in pediatric care. Another is a certification in developmental disabilities, which would allow you to care for children with disabilities. You could even specialize in childbirth and reproductive health. Some nurses in this specialty go on to become breastfeeding counselors, childbirth educators, prenatal or postnatal fitness instructors, and more. These opportunities are open to you as a PN.
Gerontology
Working with the elderly is a very attractive avenue for PNs, as there is a high demand for nurses in this field, and the hours are normally more manageable for working parents or busy individuals. There are certifications available for gerontology, hospice, and palliative care if this specialty interests you.
In addition to caring for elderly patients, this particular specialty can pave the way to become an in-home care nurse. Working in this capacity allows you to care for patients in their homes, and many of these PNS have most nights and weekends off. Similar flexibility in a nurse’s shift schedule can be found in work environments like assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Podiatric Care
Also known as foot care, this specialty is increasing in need as the general population grows older. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, can often mean a patient will need specialized foot care. In addition, aging patients who are otherwise healthy sometimes might not be able to perform normal foot care on their own and require a specialist. Practical nurses can pursue specialty training in this growing field to meet the increasing need.
Get Trained to Become a Practical Nurse
Before you can become a specialist in any one field, you will need a strong educational background in practical nursing. At Prism Career Institute, our Practical Nursing program will arm you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a nurse and prepare you for the NCLEX, the licensing exam. Plus, the educational programs available can provide you with a solid foundation should you decide to pursue further training and certification in a more specialized field. To learn more about PN specialties and beginning a career in nursing, contact us today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, or West Atlantic City, NJ.