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
routinely care for patients who demonstrate acute and complicated conditions that require a high level of skill and competence to treat. In addition to possessing in-depth clinical knowledge, trauma nurses are also often responsible for trauma quality and safety, trauma program management, research, and public health and education related to the prevention of violence and injury.
n RN, BSN n ATCN, TCRN, TNCC n For board certification, 2 years of experience in the specialty is recommended but not required. n TCRN n Hospitals, Trauma center n Society of Trauma Nurses( www. traumanurses. org) n www. bcen. org / tcrn
Urologic Nurse
Care for patients with urinary diseases by treating kidney stones, perform urinary health exams, and administer medication.
n RN, ASN / ADN or BSN n Certified Exam through Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates n 800 clinical practice hours of providing patient care to urologic patients n CURN n Hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices n Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates( www. suna. org)
Veterans Affairs Nurse
VA nurses are dedicated to providing nursing care through the continuum of care to our nation’ s veterans in VA hospitals, clinics, long- term facilities, and in veterans’ homes, as well as through Telehealth( virtual care). They are clini- cians, educators, administrators, and researchers. VA nurses work in a variety of specialized areas within those roles including clinical informatics, quality improvement, suicide prevention, com- munity care and providing nursing care during disasters.
n RN, LPN, ASN / ADN, BSN, MSN( BSN and MSN preferred) n Hospitals, Continuing Care, ambulatory care centers, home healthcare n Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs( NOVA)- www. vanurse. org
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse
Wound, ostomy, and continence( WOC) nurses are experts in caring for patients with wounds, ostomies, and incontinence. WOC nurses respond to the acute and rehabilitative needs of people with select gastrointesti-
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