Common Nurse Specialties to Choose From

Nursing

Common Nurse Specialties to Choose From

Written by: University of Tulsa • Mar 26, 2024

Two nurses in scrubs reviewing information on a tablet in a health care setting.

Registered nurses (RNs) are dynamic health care professionals who profoundly impact the lives of their patients on a daily basis. If they want to focus on a specific population or area of care or advance to a leadership role, RNs may choose to pursue a specific nursing specialty. Nurses benefit from obtaining an advanced education and furthering their knowledge in a specific field of nursing.

Pursuing education beyond a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program can open doors for new leadership roles and career advancement. Prospective nurses who want to move their careers forward should review some of the potential nurse specialties to choose from and decide which specialty may be best for their preferences.

Why Pursue a Nurse Specialty?

Nurse specialties allow RNs to hone their practice and gain expertise in a specific patient population or area of nursing. There are many reasons why nurses may want to specialize, and doing so can yield significant personal and professional benefits.

Salary and Career Outlook Benefits

Earning an advanced degree, such as an MSN, can increase nurses’ earning potential. According to Payscale, RNs reported a median annual salary of $78,000 in 2026, while professionals with an MSN reported a median annual salary of $110,000.

Nurses can also benefit from strong demand across the health care field. For example, employment of RNs is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment of nurse administrators and other health care managers is projected to grow 24% over the same period.

Professional Benefits

Obtaining an MSN degree also allows nurses to choose a concentration or specialization they are passionate about. This can lead to greater career satisfaction. Additionally, it can help nurses feel they are making a positive difference for a specific patient population or area of care.

Advanced education and specialization can also help nurses develop leadership skills and technical expertise and qualify for roles that offer more responsibility, such as managerial or administrative positions. Some roles may also be non-bedside nursing positions, which may appeal to nurses who are looking for a non-clinical career focus.

Types of Nurse Specialties to Consider

A higher-level nursing degree offers students the potential to enter various nursing careers. Some common nurse specialties include the following:

Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses treat children from birth through adolescence, providing primary and specialty care. Because pediatric nurses work with children and their families, these roles require strong communication skills, empathy, and patience. RNs who specialize in pediatrics may work in hospitals, pediatric clinics, physician offices, and other health care settings.

The 2026 median annual salary for pediatric RNs is $71,000, according to Payscale data.

Acute Care Nurse

Acute care nurses provide care to patients experiencing serious illnesses, injuries, or other conditions that require immediate or short-term treatment. They commonly work in hospitals and other settings where patients require close monitoring and treatment, and may work with specific patient populations.

Acute care nurses earn a median annual salary of $78,000 in 2026, according to Payscale.

ICU/Critical Care Nurse

ICU and critical care nurses work with patients with severe, complex, or life-threatening conditions. They typically work in intensive care units in hospital settings and need strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to respond quickly to changes in a patient’s condition.

RNs who specialize in critical care report an annual median salary of $81,000, according to Payscale data from July 2026.

Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses specialize in caring for patients with cancer through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. These RNs may administer chemotherapy treatments, monitor patients for symptoms, coordinate care with other professionals, and communicate with patients and their families. Oncology nurses can work in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, outpatient clinics, and other health care settings.

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for oncology nurses is $85,000 as of 2026.

Nurse Educator

Hospitals and health care organizations rely on nurse educators to train nursing staff and improve patient outcomes. Nurse educators develop training materials, lead continuing education sessions, and ensure the consistency of nursing practices. In addition to working in health care organizations, nurse educators may work at nursing schools.

Nurse educators earn median annual pay of $90,000, according to 2026 Payscale data.

Nurse Administrator

Nurse administrators are RNs who focus on organizational, leadership, and managerial responsibilities. They may provide bedside care, but their primary duties include scheduling, staffing, and other administrative tasks. Large health care organizations, including hospitals, rely on nurse administrators to oversee nursing staff and patient care.

RNs who move into administrative roles report median annual pay of $97,000 in 2026, according to Payscale.

Deciding on the Best Nurse Specialty

Nurses who want to specialize in a specific area should consider certain factors to find the right choice.

Consider the preferred work environment. Nurses who prefer working directly with patients will want to consider nurse specialties that allow them to gain more knowledge in a specific nursing field, such as orthopedics or OBGYN care. On the other hand, nurses who prefer working in a non-clinical environment may pursue specialist roles including managerial roles.
Consider the ideal patient population. Consider which patient population is most enjoyable to work with. It is also important to consider the different parts of the body and which are of interest (for example, cardiac care).
Research the earning potential. If earning more is a driving factor for obtaining an MSN degree, consider the average earning potential of each of the many nurse specialties. Nursing specialties in some fields may have a higher earning potential than others. The BLS is a great resource for exploring average salaries for specific nursing careers.

Getting Started with The University of Tulsa’s MSN Program

The University of Tulsa Master of Science in Nursing makes it easy for motivated nurses to obtain their MSN through a flexible, online class schedule. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) curriculum allows nurses to choose from three specialties to advance skills in specific focus areas: Leadership and Innovation, Education and Elevation, and Public Health Global Vision.

From increased earning potential to new leadership opportunities, exploring nurse specialties can help you advance your career and achieve your goals.

Learn more about TU’s MSN program today.

Recommended Readings

Becoming a Nurse Executive: How MSN Graduates Can Climb the Ladder

How to Become a Chief Nursing Officer

Population Health Nursing: What It Is and How to Make It Your Career

Sources:

Indeed, “12 Master in Nursing Jobs You Can Pursue with an MSN Degree”

Payscale, Average Nurse Administrator Salary

Payscale, Average Nurse Educator Salary

Payscale, Average Nurse, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Hourly Pay

Payscale, Average Nurse Oncology Hourly Pay

Payscale, Average Pediatric Nurse Hourly Pay