DiversityNursing Blog

The field of Nursing continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, shifting healthcare needs, and a focus on specialized patient care. As we look toward 2025, certain Nursing specialties stand out for their growth potential, earning opportunities, and capacity to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes. Whether you’re an experienced Nurse seeking a new challenge or a student deciding on a career path, these specialties are worth considering.

1. Nurse Informatics Specialist

With the increasing integration of technology into healthcare, Nurse Informatics Specialists are in high demand. These professionals bridge the gap between clinical practice and information technology, ensuring healthcare systems are efficient, user-friendly, and support patient care.

• Skills Required: Data analysis, electronic health record (EHR) management, and system design.

• Why It’s Growing: The healthcare industry’s push for improved interoperability and data-driven decision-making.

• Average Salary: $80,000 to $134,219 per year.

2. Telehealth Nurse

Telehealth has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery, especially post-pandemic. Telehealth Nurses provide care remotely, offering consultations, education, and support via digital platforms.

• Skills Required: Strong communication, technical proficiency, and the ability to assess patients virtually.

• Why It’s Growing: Increased access to healthcare for rural populations and the convenience of virtual visits.

• Average Salary: $95,503 per year.

3. Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

As the global population ages, Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) are essential in addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults. GNPs specialize in managing chronic conditions, promoting healthy aging, and coordinating long-term care.

• Skills Required: Expertise in chronic disease management, communication, and family-centered care.

• Why It’s Growing: Rising life expectancy and the increasing prevalence of age-related illnesses.

• Average Salary: $80,635 per year.

4. Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Mental health remains a critical area of focus in healthcare. Psychiatric-mental health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) provide therapy, prescribe medications, and develop care plans for individuals with mental health disorders.

• Skills Required: Advanced psychiatric training, empathy, and counseling expertise.

• Why It’s Growing: Heightened awareness of mental health issues and expanded mental health coverage.

• Average Salary: $155,182 per year.

5. Pediatric Critical Care Nurse

Pediatric Critical Care Nurses work with children facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries. This demanding specialty requires a deep understanding of pediatric physiology and critical care protocols.

• Skills Required: Critical thinking, emotional resilience, and expertise in pediatric care.

• Why It’s Growing: Advancements in pediatric medicine and increased specialization in children’s healthcare.

• Average Salary: $81,460 per year.

6. Nurse Educator

Nurse Educators play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of Nurses. They work in academic and clinical settings, designing curricula, mentoring students, and conducting research.

• Skills Required: Teaching proficiency, clinical experience, and leadership skills.

• Why It’s Growing: The ongoing Nursing shortage and the need for highly qualified instructors.

• Average Salary: $105,201 per year.

7. Oncology Nurse Navigator

Oncology Nurse Navigators guide patients through the complex journey of cancer treatment, offering education, emotional support, and care coordination.

• Skills Required: Oncology expertise, patient advocacy, and organizational skills.

• Why It’s Growing: The rising incidence of cancer and a patient-centered approach to oncology care.

• Average Salary: $92,264 per year.

8. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Certified Nurse Midwives specialize in women’s health, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. They also provide gynecological exams, family planning advice, and primary care.

• Skills Required: Expertise in obstetrics, patient education, and emergency response.

• Why It’s Growing: A renewed emphasis on holistic and natural approaches to childbirth.

• Average Salary: $116,198 per year.

The Nursing profession offers a wealth of opportunities for specialization, each with unique rewards and challenges. As healthcare needs evolve, so too will the demand for skilled and compassionate Nurses in these critical areas. By aligning your career goals with emerging trends, you can position yourself for success and make a lasting impact in the lives of your patients.

Nurses at the forefront of healthcare continue to face challenges that change how we provide Nursing care to our patients. As the Nursing field continues to evolve, here are some of the top Nursing trends to watch in 2023 and for the years to come.

Nursing Shortages

Nursing shortages across all aspects of healthcare will continue to increase in 2023 and for several years to come. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nurses have experienced higher rates of burnout which has led to an increased number of Nurses leaving bedside Nursing or even the Nursing profession altogether. Nurse burnout, coupled with the baby boomer generation of Nurses entering retirement, has left an increasing need for Nursing professionals across all aspects of healthcare.

To help combat the growing Nursing shortage, many Nursing programs offer rolling admissions and flexible online Nursing programs to help accommodate as many potential Nurses as possible. The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 6 million more healthcare jobs must be filled by 2030 to meet the growing healthcare needs. We can expect the demand for Nurses to remain high for many years.

Job Availability Increases

Job availability for Nurses has been rising for several years, and 2023 will be no different. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2031, job growth for Registered Nurses is expected to increase by 6% and Nurse Practitioners by 40%. Several factors will influence the increasing job availability, including the retirement of the baby boomer generation of Nurses, the growing demand for healthcare, and the inability of Nursing schools to keep up with the increasing demands of students. 

Online Nursing Programs

As the demand for Nursing professionals increases, online education programs will continue to grow in popularity. Online programs offer students scheduling flexibility to make it easier to attend classes while dealing with other responsibilities like work and family life. Online programs also create a new market for students living in rural areas who need help commuting to universities.

Travel Nursing

Travel Nursing has been a rising trend for some time, but it came into focus during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As thousands of Nurses traveled to care for the surging patient volumes in COVID-19 hot spots, it was realized how much value travel Nurses bring to the shifting demands of healthcare. Travel Nursing offers higher compensation, the opportunity to work in new environments, and travel opportunities Nurses otherwise would not be able to experience. More and more Nurses have discovered the endless perks of travel Nursing over the past few years, and there is no end in sight. We can expect travel Nursing to continue to grow in popularity.

Increased Salaries

As the Nursing shortage continues, it is expected that we will see an increase in salary for Nurses over the next few years. Adequate compensation is necessary to attract and retain qualified Nurses, recognize them for their expertise, and address their daily challenges. Although increasing salaries for Nurses involves much more than just a higher paycheck, many healthcare networks have been reconsidering healthcare budgets, government policies, and negotiations between employers and unions to help better compensate Nurses for their tireless work efforts.

Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is an essential aspect of well-being for everyone, including Nurses. The Nursing profession has always been one to carry a significant mental burden, and this can take a toll on mental health over time. Although it has been going on for decades, the pandemic revealed a devastating increase in Nurse burnout, stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression that can no longer be ignored. In the coming years, we can expect to see an increase in mental health awareness and services available to help Nurses better prioritize their mental health. It is anticipated that healthcare organizations will start to implement initiatives to help promote self-care and work-life balance, like mental health services, stress reduction programs, and peer support networks.

Telehealth Services

Telehealth and virtual care services have exponentially increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are now providing remote care, conducting virtual health assessments, monitoring patients remotely and offering telephonic or video consultations to help bridge healthcare gaps and improve patient outcomes. Telehealth services allow for increased access to healthcare to patients who otherwise would not have available healthcare like people from rural or underserved areas. As healthcare continues to evolve and grow, we can expect the same from telehealth services over the next few years.

Nursing trends shape the Nursing progression and can significantly impact working environments and the roles and responsibilities of Nurses. As Nursing trends continue to evolve, one thing that will always remain true about the Nursing profession is it will remain a dynamic profession that must continue to grow and adapt to new medical research, technology, and healthcare challenges.