Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses (RNs) who鈥檝e undergone a minimum of a master鈥檚-level education and specialized clinical training. Their scope of practice extends beyond that of an entry-level nurse or RN without a master鈥檚 degree in nursing (MSN).

Because the healthcare field is broad, it can be difficult to pinpoint which APRN specialty best fits you. If you鈥檙e looking to learn how to launch your NP career, selecting the right specialty is a decision that can shape the trajectory of your career and directly influence the communities you serve.

Whether you’re passionate about mental health, caring for older adults, or eager to provide comprehensive family care, this guide is designed to help you navigate the diverse range of APRN specialties.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your APRN Specialty

Selecting a specialty involves considering your personal interests, skills, and career aspirations. Taking the time now to properly align your goals will ease the transition into a specialized role. No matter which nurse practitioner specialties you鈥檙e exploring 鈥� whether it鈥檚 adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric mental-health care, or something else 鈥� it鈥檚 worthwhile to consider the following factors.

Which Population You鈥檇 Like to Assist

As you evaluate your prospective nursing specialty, start by reflecting on the experiences that have shaped you as you pursue this career path. Have you felt a strong connection or sense of fulfillment when working with a specific patient population? Reflecting on what鈥檚 inspired you throughout your nursing journey can help guide you toward a population that aligns with your passions.

Whether you’re inclined towards caring for adolescents and adult patients or supporting the mental health of your community, you can choose a nursing specialty that positions you to make a difference in the lives of these populations.

Before selecting your specialization, it鈥檚 important to ensure that you understand the nuances that differentiate certain roles. For instance, while family nurse practitioners (FNP) and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP) may seem one in the same, their roles diverge according to the populations they serve.

Where You Want to Work

Once you鈥檝e identified a patient population (or populations) you鈥檇 like to serve, it鈥檚 a good idea to determine where you could see yourself thriving. Healthcare workers can be found across a . A few of these settings include:

• Academic/educational institutions
• Community health clinics
• Home health
• Hospice care
• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Private practices
• Psychiatric clinics
• Urgent care centers

Certain NP specialties are more relevant to certain environments. For example, family nurse practitioners and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners typically work in settings like community health clinics or private practices where they can develop relationships with individuals and families across their lifespans. On the other hand psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners can provide 1:1 support and/or assist patients in psychiatric clinics or outpatient mental health centers.

Your Unique Skills and Interests

Assess your clinical expertise, communication skills, and specialized training to identify your strengths. Whether you excel in high-pressure settings or building lasting patient relationships, understanding your abilities can guide you toward a specialty that leverages your potential.

Your personal interests are equally important in selecting the right specialty. For example, a passion for mental health may lead you to become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, while an interest in complex disease management could make an adult-gerontology acute care role a good fit.

Examples of APRN Specialties

As the healthcare landscape advances, so do the opportunities for nurse practitioners. To give you a sense of the wide variety of options available, here are some nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Specializations:
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP):  AGACNPs focus on managing critically ill patients within intensive care settings. They provide continuous patient monitoring, emergency interventions, and post-surgical care to ensure optimal patient outcomes in high-stress environments.
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): AGPCNPs focus on comprehensive health assessments, disease prevention, and patient education to promote the overall well-being of adolescents and adults of all ages. These professionals provide specialized services such as chronic disease management, acute health issue resolution, and holistic patient care to support continuous and comprehensive healthcare across the adult lifespan.

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): FNPs offer comprehensive care for patients of all ages, emphasizing preventive care and health education. They conduct routine check-ups, administer immunizations, and take holistic healthcare approaches.
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): While similar to AGNPs and FNPs, PNPs specialize in providing care specifically to the pediatric patient population.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): PMHNPs specialize in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, diagnosing psychiatric disorders, and providing effective treatments. They offer services that include psychotherapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and mental health education to promote the psychological well-being and overall mental health of their patients.
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): WHNPs concentrate on reproductive health, gynecological issues, and overall wellness for women. These professionals offer specialized services such as prenatal care, family planning, menopause management, and treatment of gynecological disorders to support women throughout their lifespan.

Find Your Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Specialty at WCU

Wherever you are in your educational journey, WCU is here to help support you. Our RN to MSN programs, MSN programs, and Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate programs offer flexibility through online coursework so you can develop a schedule that works best for your needs.

Whether you鈥檙e interested in adult-gerontology, family care, or psychiatric-mental health care, you can work to build a strong foundation that helps equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in healthcare.

Discover your APRN specialty at 国产主播 and toward advancing your education.

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Michelle S. (BSN 鈥�17, DNP 鈥�21, PMHNP 鈥�24) first heard the calling to help others when she was only 6 years old. She witnessed a hit-and-run incident involving her 3-year-old brother, a harrowing experience that instilled in her an awareness of the importance of emergency care, as well as a deep respect for the wonderful individuals dedicating their lives to the profession. The experience was the first step to igniting a deep-seated desire within her to aid those in need.

However, her journey into nursing wasn鈥檛 always a straight path. Michelle, whose creative talents shone brightly from a young age, initially earned a scholarship to pursue design. Nevertheless, when the time came to choose a career, her aunt encouraged her to join the nursing field, and Michelle embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

When it comes to choosing nursing over design, Michelle says she knows she made the right choice: 鈥淧eople often wonder if I regret my choice, but I鈥檝e always been drawn to healthcare,鈥� she said. 鈥淲itnessing the esteem of the profession and considering my role as a young mother, plus the assurance of job stability, I鈥檝e never looked back. It鈥檚 been an honor and one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made in my life.鈥�

After years of service as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in acute care case management, Michelle decided to take the next step in her nursing career. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at 国产主播-Ontario, earning her degree in 2017 and becoming a registered nurse in an oncology/stroke unit. During her time at WCU, her academic performance earned her a spot on the prestigious dean鈥檚 list, a testament to the efforts she put into excelling in her courses and clinical practices. 

Since graduating, Michelle has taken on roles that allow her impact to extend even beyond her patients. In her career so far, Michelle has:

• Become a concurrent review nurse and was recognized as her department鈥檚 first employee of the month
  
• Pioneered the first onsite hospital nursing role for the utilization management department in her managed healthcare organization
  
• Mentored and trained fellow nurses in their new onsite nursing roles
  
• Initiated a voluntary mindfulness program for nursing staff, which was linked to boosted productivity and reduced stress
  
• Developed a local resource guide to help minimize gaps in access to healthcare for female veterans at a local university

Through her different roles, Michelle鈥檚 efforts have had a ripple effect through the community. She has not just taken care of her patients, but championed projects and practices that empower her fellow nurses to provide better care.

鈥淚鈥檓 not your typical bedside nurse, and that鈥檚 the beauty of nursing 鈥� its versatility,鈥� Michelle said.

Now, Michelle validates nursing practices within the Integrated Transitional Care department, primarily focusing on quality assurance and optimizing patient care. Though initially apprehensive about this new role, she now considers it one of her favorites, blending her case management background with clinical insights.

Recently, she decided to take on another important role, this time as a clinical instructor, serving as an internal preceptor for colleagues who wish to pursue their graduate degree. She took special pride in witnessing her first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student graduate last year.

As to what鈥檚 next, Michelle is on the verge of becoming a triple WCU alumna, on track to finish her post-master鈥檚 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate in 2024. 鈥淚 never imagined myself in mental health, but after completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2019, I sought a specialty 鈥� a niche,鈥� she said.

The mental health specialty is perfectly in line with Michelle鈥檚 experience and interest in wellness and mindfulness. About her career so far, she has said, 鈥淚 find fulfillment in roles prioritizing self-care, personal growth, teamwork collaboration, and fostering a positive culture. Most importantly, encouraging innovation to achieve quality and safe patient outcomes.鈥�

We can鈥檛 wait to see what Michelle does next!

Ready to start or advance your own nursing career? We offer programs both on campus and online, ranging from bachelor鈥檚 to doctorates. Explore all our programs and find the path that鈥檚 right for you!

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