2025 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
Heart Failure Nurse
Heart failure nursing is the provision of holistic care to the specific individual with Stage A through D heart failure due to any etiology . Heart failure nursing care can take place in any inpatient or outpatient setting and address the acute or chronic needs of patients and their support systems . Prevention can be viewed in relation to individuals , high-risk families , the community and populations .
n RN , ASN / ADN or BSN n Certified Heart Failure Nurse ( CHFN ) exam
n 2 years ( full-time ) as RN ( or equivalent of 4,160 hrs ); 1,200 hrs clinical practice caring for heart failure patients within the last two 2 years ; 30 hrs of continuing education in the last 2 years ( 15 hrs must be heart failure specific )
n CHFN n Hospitals , continuing care , home healthcare , community health settings n American Association of Heart Failure Nurses ( www . aahfn . org )
Hematology Nurse
Involves treating patients with blood disorders and can include working in blood research , chemotherapy , blood transfusions , blood tests , and the patient education involved in all procedures .
n ASN / ADN or BSN n Oncology Certification and Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology
n For Oncology Certification : one year as an RN within 3 years of application ; 1,000 hours of oncology nursing practice , within 2.5 years of application ; 10 accredited CNE contact hours in oncology . For Pediatric Hematology Oncology certification : 1 year as an RN within 3 years of application ; 1,000 hours of pediatric oncology or hematology nursing practice within 2.5 years of application ; 10 CNE contact hours in pediatric hematology or oncology
n OCN and CPHON n Hospitals , physicians ’ offices , hospice centers , radiation centers n Association of Pediatric Hematology Nursing ( www . aphon . org )
Also see “ Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Nurse ” section .
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