2026 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
HIV / AIDS Care Nurse
Involves caring for patients with HIV / AIDS, which includes treat- ment, medication management, and education about managing general health, safe sex, and the dangers of sharing needles. Requires knowledge of: basic pathogenesis of untreated / treat- ed HIV infection; the role of adherence in health outcomes; basic antiretroviral medication regimens and dosing; the need for MAC and PCP prophylaxis; prevention methods; pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis; community and clinical resources available to patients who have barriers to access care or medications.
n ASN / ADN or BSN n HIV / AIDS Nursing Certification n 2 years in HIV / AIDS clinical practice, education, or research recommended, but not required n ACRN n Hospitals, outpatient care clinics, physicians’ offices n Association of Nurses in AIDS Care( www. nursesinaidscare. org)
Holistic Nurse
Become trained and proficient in using holistic, complementary a nd integrative healing modalities( including but not limited to nutrition, yoga, acupressure, aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage, art and music therapy, etc.) to support the whole person’ s body, mind, emotions, spirit and relationships. Integrate self-responsibility, self-reflection, self-care and spirituality into nursing practice.
n ADN or BSN n Holistic Nurse-Board Certification( and Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified) n 1 year( full-time)— or 2,000 hours over 5 years( part-time)— with 48 continuing education hours within 2 years. n HN-BC, HNB-BC, AHN-BC, APHN-BC n Integrated care, birthing centers, home care, oncology units n American Holistic Nurses Association( www. ahna. org)
n Resources:“ Holistic Nursing: A Way of Being, a Way of Living, a Way of Practice” By Lucia Thornton Read at http:// bit. ly / 2kFHfRj
Hospice Nurse
Care for dying patients through pain management and ed- ucational / emotional support to patients and their families. Because hospice patients have terminal illness, the hospice nurse aids them in living out the rest of their days with dignity, and as comfortably as possible.
n RN, ASN / ADN, or BSN n Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse certification exam n 2 years in related field n CHPN
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