About Specialized Nursing Careers
There are four advanced specialty careers available to nurses that offer additional responsibilities and increased pay. They are nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists. These all require an advanced degree in the specialty.
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Nurse Midwives
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Nurse midwives perform gynecological exams and provide medical care for women from conception through labor. Women who have healthy, normal pregnancies with no complications may see a nurse midwife in place of a traditional obstetrician during the course of the pregnancy.
Nurse Practitioners
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Nurse practitioners receive additional education in the management of chronic diseases and basic illnesses. Upon certification, they are authorized to write prescriptions for medication. Nurse practitioners often handle routine visits at family practices, general practices and pediatrician offices.
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Clinical Nurse Specialists
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Clinical nurse specialists work in a particular area of medicine assisting in patient care, consulting with doctors and other medical staff about a patient's progress, and supervising other nurses. Clinical nurses specialist may specialize in critical care, geriatrics, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, cardiology, endocrinology and oncology among others.
Nurse Anesthetists
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Nurse anesthetists are certified to administer anesthesia to patients prior to an operation or procedure. They may work in outpatient clinics, dental offices and psychiatric institutions in addition to traditional hospital settings.
Training
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Nurses with a Bachelor's degree in nursing are required to obtain a Master's degree and national certification in their area of specialty. Some nurses opt to continue their education, going on to earn doctoral degrees in nursing.
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