Nurses are essential members of any healthcare institution, and they play a vital role in delivering the highest standards of care. Nursing is also among the nation’s largest healthcare professions, which means there are different types of nurses with specific specialties. In this blog post, we’ll investigate 4 of the most prominent nursing specialties.
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What are the Different Types of Nurses?
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare industry and are consistently ranked among the most trusted professions. There’s no doubt that we need nurses; they bring quality care to their patients and their families. The healthcare field is a complex one with different specializations for doctors, but for nurses, too. These are the most common types of nurses:
1. On-site Nurse
On-site nurses provide health and safety programs and services to an organization’s employees. The practice of on-site nursing focuses on promoting and restoring health and protecting workers from work-related injuries and illnesses. Typically, employers provide on-site nurses within their company so employees can have direct access to healthcare. They specialize in both acute and primary care. The services they provide include first aid, health screenings, vaccinations, and more. On-site nurses monitor the long-term recovery and overall health of employees.
2. Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurses (CCN), also known as ICU Nurses, care for patients with acute illnesses and severe injuries. Typically, a patient who requires critical care has unstable vital signs, is unconscious, and/or has life-threatening conditions. CCNs are specially trained to handle these types of emergency care situations. They monitor and provide medical care for their patients and even support their families. CCNs work in an extremely high-stress environment. Given that they are providing care for patients in a serious state, these nurses must give extra attentive care to ensure their patients remain stable.
3. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurses provide primary care to infants, children, and adolescents (often up to age 19). PNPs usually work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and schools. PNPs can also provide preventative care services, such as child exams and immunizations.
4. Clinical Nurse Specialist
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a type of healthcare provider who has a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nursing. A clinical nurse can diagnose, treat, and manage people seeking healthcare, but their priority is providing primary care. They are also educators, clinicians, researchers, and consultants. CNSs can practice many different types of specialists including pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, mental health, and more.
The Role of Nurses in Modern Healthcare
Nursing is an undeniably noble and crucial profession: their work changes lives. At OnSite Health, we understand and appreciate the work nurses do every day. Nurses are dedicated, hardworking, and caring. OnSite Health provides customized healthcare and nursing to employers across the country. Learn more about OnSite Nurses and what their job entails here.
