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
Care for women with low-risk pregnancies, from prenatal care to labor and delivery. Provide postpartum are and counseling.
n RN, ASN / ADN, or BSN( BSN encouraged) n Nurse midwife certification exam n 2-4 years in related field n CNM n Hospitals, outpatient facilities, patient homes n American College of Nurse-Midwives( www. midwife. org)
Nurse Practitioner
As healthcare providers of choice for millions of patients, nurse practitioners( NPs) provide primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages. They assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans, including prescribing medications.
n BSN and MSN n Registered Nurse Practitioner Board Certification exam in your specialty area n Several years of experience as Nurse Practitioners( varies depending on specialty) n CRNP, CPNP-PC, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC( varies depending on specialty)
n Primary and specialty care practices, hospitals, urgent and convenient care clinics, Community health centers n American Association of Nurse Practitioners( www. aanp. org) National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners( www. napnap. org) n Resources:“ The Primary Care Providers of the Future” By R. Zakhari( Vol 58, No 1 – January 2011) Read at http:// bit. ly / 2kcMyuM
Nursing Professional Development Practitioner
The Nursing Professional Development( NPD) Practitioner is responsible for clinical nursing education which
54 NSNA Imprint