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
a holistic approach to meeting patients’ medical, vocational, educational, environmental, and spiritual needs. They continue to provide support in the form of patient and family education and empower individuals as they continue to live life independently again. The rehabilitation nurse often teaches patients and their caregivers how to access systems and resources.
n RN, ASN / ADN, or BSN( BSN recommended) n Rehabilitation nurse certification n 2 years in rehabilitation nursing( or 1 year, with another year of advanced study) n CRRN
n Continuing Care( i. e., long-term and assisted living centers), home healthcare variety of settings, including IRFs, SNFs, LTC, LTAC, Case Management, Hospitals( acute care settings), military service, community health settings, across all post acute care settings
n Association of Rehabilitation Nurses( www. rehabnurse. org)
School Nurse
School nurses provide an essential role in keeping children healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The school nurse is often the sole healthcare provider in an academic setting; school nurses provide leadership, community / public health, care coordination, and quality improvement. School nursing practice is student centered and considers the context of the student’ s family and school community.
n RN, ASN / ADN, or BSN( BSN recommended) n School Nurse certification exam
n 1,000 hours( minimum) in clinical practice within last three years prior to taking the test( 4,000 hours recommended) n NBCSN n Elementary, middle and high schools; colleges and universities n National Association of School Nurses( www. nasn. org)
n Resources:“ Your Future in School Nursing” By L. Jannone( Vol 59, No 1 – January 2012) Read at http:// bit. ly / 2kc3scO“ Just a School Nurse” by Jenna Sanders( Vol 60, No 1 – January 2013) Read at http:// bit. ly / 2kzeJ4B
Substance Abuse Nurse
Both a mental and physical disorder, substance abuse requires that nurses treat and educate patients with drugs, alcohol and other substance addictions.
62 NSNA Imprint