Types of Nurses and Different Types of Nursing Specialties

Friday, Nov 28, 2025 Ajman University
Types of Nurses and Different Types of Nursing Specialties

Nursing is a dynamic and evolving profession, offering a range of career paths to suit various interests and skills. With healthcare becoming increasingly complex, the demand for specialized nursing roles is growing rapidly. Whether you want to care for newborns, support people with mental health needs, or work in emergency rooms, there’s a nursing specialty that fits your goals. 

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) gives you practical training and real clinical experience, so you can step confidently into those roles and build your career. Ajman University’s BSN program is a comprehensive gateway into this diverse and rewarding field. The program also focuses on ethical practice, communication, and teamwork, which are essential in everyday patient care. It prepares you through a well-rounded curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, setting you on the path to make a real difference in healthcare. You’ll graduate with hands-on experience and the professional skills employers look for, ready to make a real impact in patient care.

Different Types of Nurses

Here are ten of the most well-known nurse roles you might  encounter or pursue:

  1. Registered Nurse (RN): Provides direct patient care, coordinates treatments, and educates patients.
  2. Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN): Delivers basic nursing care under the supervision of an RN.
  3. Nurse Practitioner (NP): Advanced practice nurse who can diagnose, treat, and, in many places, prescribe medications. 
  4. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Expert in a clinical area who improves patient outcomes and guides teams.
  5. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Specializes in anesthesia and pain management.
  6. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): Focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
  7. Pediatric Nurse: Cares for infants, children, and teens.
  8. Geriatric Nurse: Specializes in the health needs of older adults.
  9. School Nurse: Manages student health, vaccinations, and wellness in schools.
  10. Home Health Nurse: Provides nursing care to patients in their homes.

Nursing Specialties

Specialties let you focus on conditions, age groups, or settings. Ten popular specialties include:

  1. Emergency and Trauma Nursing: Fast-paced care for urgent, life-threatening conditions.
  2. Critical Care / ICU Nursing: Caring for seriously ill patients using complex monitoring and technology.
  3. Oncology Nursing: Supporting people with cancer through treatment and recovery.
  4. Cardiac Nursing: Focused on heart disease, post-op care, and cardiac rehab.
  5. Neonatal Nursing: Care for newborns, including premature infants.
  6. Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing: Care for people with mental health conditions.
  7. Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing: Women’s health, labor, and postpartum care.
  8. Orthopedic Nursing: Care for bone, joint, and rehabilitation patients.
  9. Infection Control / Infectious Disease Nursing: Prevents and manages infections in healthcare settings.
  10. Rehabilitation Nursing: Helps patients recover function after injury or illness.

The Role of a BSN in Specialization

Choosing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is your first step toward entering this exciting world of healthcare with countless specialization options. A BSN not only covers nursing fundamentals but also broadens your understanding of patient care across different ages and medical conditions through clinical rotations. This degree prepares you to step confidently into specialties that align with your passion and skills. 

Ajman University’s BSN program provides you with rigorous training and real-world experience needed to thrive. With this foundation, you can specialize confidently in areas such as pediatric, critical care, or mental health nursing and even pursue advanced nursing roles in the future.

If you are considering a meaningful and rewarding career in healthcare, nursing offers you diverse paths tailored to your interests and talents. Ajman University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare you for these opportunities with a solid education and hands-on clinical experience. 

Explore the types of nurses and nursing specialties available and take the first step toward a career where you can truly make a difference every day. Learn more about the BSN program at Ajman University and start shaping your future in nursing today.

FAQs

  1. What are the main nursing specialties? 
    Common specialties include critical care, emergency, oncology, neonatal, cardiac, psychiatric, obstetrics, orthopedics, infection control, and rehabilitation.
  2. What career opportunities are available after completing a BSN? 
    After a BSN, you can work as an RN in hospitals, community health, schools, or home care, and you can pursue advanced practice roles or specialty certification.
  3. Why should I choose Ajman University for my BSN degree? 
    Ajman University’s BSN offers 120 credit hours, structured clinical rotations, and career-focused learning that prepares you for diverse nursing roles and further study.