The Healthcare sector is a significant industry, and it is gaining immense momentum. The medical workers are high in demand. The alarming increase in people suffering from health issues and deadly diseases has put stress on the healthcare system. Today, many people need to take regular medication as their sugar-level,, blood pressure, or cholesterol fluctuates. On the other hand, gone are the days when only adults faced cardiovascular or neurological issues. Now, many children need strong medication for survival. Nurses are the primary caretaker for patients, and they ensure to provide the best care to the patients.

Nurses work for grueling hours, and their job is mentally exhausting and physically exhausting. Still, most of them always wear a smile and deal with patients gently. Nursing is a prestigious career as people from all walks of life give them immense respect. The field of nursing has expanded, and in the past few years, several subfields have emerged. Regardless of what field and level nurses serve, the motive behind their job is to cater to patients’ needs and give them the best possible treatment.

The field of nursing has expanded and many nurse practitioner specialties have emerged.

Nurse practitioners possess several high-level skills, as they are advanced practice registered nurses. Some nurse practitioner specialties are as follows:

1. Family Nurse Practitioner

FNP, Family Nurse Practitioners provide family care and cater to a family’s medical needs. They possess skills in dealing with the primary medical conditions of people of all ages. They earn significantly higher salaries as their job is challenging than other nurses. They are skillful enough to operate independently and with autonomy. Apart from catering to physical needs, they also empower patients and motivate them to care for themselves. Nurses can enroll themselves in any available family nurse practitioner programs and climb the ladder of success. A higher nursing degree equips them with advanced skills and enhances their earning opportunities.

2. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Another field of advanced practice nurses is Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs). As the name implies, they work with patients in acute care centers. They are distinctive from advanced Primary Care Nurse Practitioners. They have nerves of steel, and they belong to the specialized healthcare teams. The ACNPs assist doctors in treating severely sick people who are in hospital for their treatments. They prepare to make instant decisions that are in the best interest of patients’ health. Their primary focus is on caring for the patients who are dealing with after surgical complexities or are recovering from grave injuries. The ACNPs also earn higher than other nurses, and they often have to work extra shifts.

3. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are another name for a psychiatric nurse practitioner. They are also advanced practice registered nurses. They have specialization in mental health and deal with the psychiatric needs of people of all ages. The psychiatric nurse practitioners are skillful enough to assess patients’ mental health conditions, prescribe treatments, and treat several mental disorders. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners generally have their private practice or work in hospitals, government organizations, educational institutes, or military services. They provide counseling and lend their shoulder to the patients and provide emotional support to them

4. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

NNps, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners deal with very young patients and cater to their health needs. They look after vulnerable, sick newborn babies who are born premature or get injured right after birth. NNPs have to be extremely vigilant and ensure that they handle babies with the utmost care. Many babies have several tubes or cathedra inserted into their bodies. NNPs possess skills to cope with neonates who have got exposure to drugs and can handle the sick child’s parents. NNPs work with parents and educate them about their child’s condition and establish bonds with their child. NNPs bear complete responsibility of looking after patients in incubators. They continuously monitor infants’ breathing and keep an eye on the specialized medical equipment, which shows a sick baby’s reading.

5. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

A specialized nurse who looks after patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems is known as an orthopedic nurse practitioner. They have unique skills and knowledge about orthopedics. Orthopedic NPS are not very large in number. Other nurses often take care of patients with diseases or injuries of bones, muscles, supporting connective tissue or joints. Arthritis, fractures, sprains, temporomandibular joint disorder, fibromyalgia, and muscular dystrophy are common orthopedic issues, and orthopedic NPS can effectively deal with them. Orthopedics NPs are at an advantage as they can offer their services on an hourly basis. Many Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners serve in a medical facility center and work as a hospice to generate extra income.

6. Emergency Nurse Practitioner

As it sounds, Emergency Nurse Practitioners are specialized nurses who have expertise in assessing, diagnosing, managing, and prescribing medication for urgent cases. They undergo regressive training sessions, and if the need arises, they can perform medial operations without any supervision. Emergency Nurse Practitioners are valuable members of a healthcare facility center. Their timely intervention and decisions help stabilize patients’ deteriorating medical condition. Emergency Nurse Practitioners have essential, useful skills, and they draw a handsome salary against their services.

7. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Women’s Health Practitioners, commonly refer to as WHNP, are advanced practice registered nurses. They have specialized in the comprehensive care of women. As the title indicates, they provide primary care to women of all ages. WHNPs can counsel, provide OB/GYN and prenatal care. Their course focuses on women–related health issues and have a great emphasis on gynecological health, reproduction, and obstetric. WHNPs know health issues that women of all ages commonly suffer as their course covers women’s health issues of entire lifespans. Contrary to a popular idea, WHNP is not certified midwife-nurse, but they have basic delivery knowledge.

Conclusion

A healthcare system cannot functions without Nurse Practitioners. They provide primary or specialized care as per their certifications. NP degree allows them to cater to patients’ needs and prescribe medicines. The nursing sector is booming, and every year the healthcare industry welcomes a plethora of nurses in various fields. Nurses have earned frontline soldiers’ title as they continue to perform their duties while putting themselves back.