2024 Career Planning Guide
NURSING SPECIALITIES KEY : n Minimum Education required n Certifications required n Experience needed n Certification credential n Possible employment n Professional Organization n References / Resources
Clinical Research Nurse
Clinical Research Nurses ( CRNs ) must balance the care needs of the patient / volunteer who is par- ticipating in clinical research with the needs of the research protocol . CRNs care for research par- ticipants ranging from healthy volunteers to critically ill patients . CRNs are an integral member of the clinical research team . Team responsibilities may include contributing to protocol development and implementation , providing specialized care , data collection , data management , interpretation of findings . The specialized skills and knowledge of the CRN focus on ( 1 ) human subjects protec- tion , ( 2 ) care coordination and continuity , ( 3 ) research study implementation and management , ( 4 ) clinical practice and ( 5 ) contributing to science .
n ( Minimum education requirement ): RN , ASN / ADN , BSN
n Hospitals ( acute care settings ), Continuing care ( i . e . long-term and assisted living centers ), ambulatory care centers , out-patient surgery centers , medical / physician offices , military service , community health settings , contract research organization
Dermatology Nurse
Involves screening for skin cancer , treatment of skin conditions / diseases , biopsies , research , and dermatological surgery ( includin plastic surgery ).
n LPN , ASN / ADN or BSN n Dermatology Certification Examination n 2 years ( 2,000 hours ) n DNC n Private physician ’ s or plastic surgeon ’ s office , hospital burn unit n Dermatology Nurses ’ Association ( www . dnanurse . org )
Developmental Disability Nurse
These nurses provide care , education , and treatment for individ uals that have a range of emotional , physical and mental disabil ities — like Down ’ s syndrome , cerebral palsy , and fetal alcohol syndrome , among others — either from birth or by accident .
n LPN , ASN / ADN , or BSN n Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing
n 4,000 hours as a developmentaldisabilities RN , LPN , or LVN within the immediate previous 60 months ( five years ). n CDDN n Hospitals , long-term acute care hospitals and chronic care facilities , children ’ s rehab centers n Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association ( www . ddna . org )
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