As a registered nurse ready to advance your career, exploring the different specialties you can pursue in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is essential. An MSN equips you with the skills for advanced clinical roles, leadership positions, and opportunities in specialized fields that make a significant impact on patient care.
“Master’s degree is usually where you specialize in a particular area,” says Professor Carol Patton, a nurse educator and Program Director for the Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing. “You’ll have core courses, but once you’ve completed those, you go into your area of specialization.”
Whether you’re interested in family healthcare, acute care, or pediatrics, each MSN specialty presents unique challenges and rewards. Here’s an overview of what to expect from an MSN degree and the types of specialties you can pursue while enrolled.
Specialty Guide
Learn How to Choose the Right MSN Specialty for You
What Is a Master’s in Nursing Degree?
A Master of Science in Nursing is an advanced graduate degree for registered nurses aiming to enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies in specific areas of nursing. This degree is designed to prepare nurses for complex clinical roles, including leadership and teaching positions, and to explore specialized fields of interest such as:
- Anesthesia
- Midwifery
- Family practice
Specializing is crucial since it opens doors to a variety of advanced nursing positions that require specific skill sets and knowledge. Here are six common MSN specialties and what you can expect from each.
6 Types of MSN Specialties
1. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) specialty helps nurses provide advanced care to adult and elderly patients in acute and complex settings. This specialty focuses on managing patients with acute conditions with chronic illnesses.
The curriculum includes coursework in health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, along with specialized education in disease management, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic interventions. These courses are meant to prepare you for the quick decision-making and critical thinking involved in these fast-paced situations.
Graduates of this program often find employment in high-stakes environments like emergency rooms, intensive care units, and specialty clinics with the most common job titles including:
- Intensive Care Unit Nurse Practitioner
- Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner
- Specialty Clinic Nurse Practitioner
These positions play a critical role in improving patient outcomes in acute settings, where their specialized care can significantly affect patient recovery and overall hospitalization experiences.
2. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) specialty educates nurses in the comprehensive, continuous care techniques needed to treat adults throughout their lives. This specialty emphasizes preventive care, management of chronic conditions, health promotion, and patient education—particularly in outpatient and community settings.
Students in this program can expect to engage with topics related to common health issues in adult and geriatric populations. The curriculum also includes significant education in disease prevention and patient education strategies.
Some of the more common career paths for this specialty include:
- Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Community Health Nurse Practitioner
These professionals are pivotal in managing ongoing health issues and improving overall quality of life for adults and elderly patients. Their focus on primary care helps reduce hospitalizations and supports patients in maintaining their independence and health over the long term.
3. Family Nurse Practitioner
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty program focuses on comprehensive primary care across the lifespan of patients. Unlike gerontology care, family nurse practitioner studies cover a wide range of topics that involve the family unit and the community.
Therefore, the curriculum for this program includes in-depth coursework in the care patients need at various stages of their life—from pediatrics to women’s health to geriatrics. It also develops critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are essential for nurses who treat patients of nearly all ages.
Family nurse practitioners play a critical role in the healthcare system, providing accessible, holistic, and cost-effective care that addresses the health needs of diverse populations. As a result, they are in very high demand throughout the US.
“There is a very high demand for Family Nurse Practitioners,” says Professor Joanna Sikkema, Director of the Nurse Practitioner Online Suite at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing. “This is because of the shortage of primary care providers today.”
4. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) specialty is meant for nurses who wish to provide advanced care for newborns—particularly those who are critically ill or premature. Since nurses in this field are very specialized, they only work in settings like neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
The curriculum is designed to equip nurses with specialized knowledge in neonatal care, including advanced skills in:
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- Ventilation management
- Nutritional support
To ensure nurses are prepared for these intense situations, clinical rotations are conducted in high-level NICUs to provide hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced neonatal healthcare professionals.
This specialty is ideal for nurses who are passionate about providing care for newborns and who thrive in fast-paced, emotionally charged environments that require both technical skill and compassion.
5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty educates nurses in a variety of topics related to care for children from infancy through young adulthood. Pediatric nurses play a crucial role in the health and wellness of children, contributing significantly to primary and preventive care.
If you hope to work in pediatrics, there are several settings you can expect to practice in including:
- Hospitals
- Pediatric clinics
- Schools
Since these nurses work with both families and children, this specialty focuses on developing strong communication skills to effectively interact with children and their families to facilitate a supportive and educational environment.
This specialty is perfect for nurses who have a passion for working with children and families, and who are dedicated to supporting the health and developmental needs of young patients in a variety of clinical and community settings.
6. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty provides comprehensive psychiatric and mental health care across the lifespan. Nurses in this specialty are expected to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, substance use problems, and psychological distress.
This program includes advanced coursework in psychiatric assessment and psychotherapy techniques to ensure nurses are able to provide comprehensive care for a range of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to severe mental illnesses. Therefore, the curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices.
Some common roles you can expect in this specialty include:
- Outpatient Mental Health Practitioner
- Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Practitioner
- Private Practice Specialist
These roles are vital in addressing the growing need for mental health services. They provide essential care that improves mental health outcomes, enhances patient quality of life, and supports community health.
How to Choose the Right MSN Specialty For You
Selecting a specialty should reflect your passion and the populations you wish to serve. “Follow your passion,” advises Mary Lynn Fahey, assistant clinical professor at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing. “What is the population that you want to spend time with? Who is it you want to connect with? What types of questions do you want to answer? This should be your guidepost.”
According to Sikkema, many nursing students are taking this advice to heart by choosing to work with underserved and vulnerable groups.
“There’s an increased interest in care of vulnerable populations, such as the homeless and immigrant communities,” Sikkema says. “Students are specifically asking for rotations and clinical experiences that connect them to those vulnerable populations in their communities.”
Choosing a specialty—especially one focused on vulnerable groups—can be daunting though. It’s important to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision. This means utilizing all available resources, including the experiences and knowledge of faculty and current students.
“For students who are unsure, talk with and connect with program directors, they can connect you with faculty, other students, or with one another,” Fahey says. “If you’re not clear, come ask questions. We’re always available. We’re all clinicians. We’re actually out in the field practicing and living that, so we’re always happy to have a conversation.”
These conversations don’t just clarify doubts but also provide a window into the realities of different specialties, helping you choose a path that truly aligns with your professional aspirations and personal values.
Take the First Step Toward a Specialized Nursing Career
As you explore which specialty is right for you, it is critical to ensure your MSN program is accredited to meet the high standards required for advanced, specialized nursing education.
For nurses aiming to further their education and expand their career opportunities with a specialty, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing offers MSN specialty programs that combine rigorous academic standards with practical, real-world application. These programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of advanced nursing practices and leadership in healthcare settings.
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Specialty Guide
Learn How to Choose the Right MSN Specialty for You
