Why should I pay attention to high in-demand nursing jobs and specialty jobs in 2024? The answer is simple — to set yourself up for success as you continue your career in nursing! There are so many options when it comes to advancing your nursing practice — from becoming an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Beyond that, there are many specialties you can pursue without getting an additional nursing degree or enrolling in an additional accredited nursing program for additional nursing education.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare support occupations and healthcare practitioners and technical occupations are projected to be the two fastest-growing occupational groups. This means the demand for nurses will only increase year after year.
Here are the 11 travel nursing specialties in demand for 2024:
Clinic RN
Med surg RN
Telemetry RN
Intensive care unit nurse
Nurse educator
Nurse manager
Emergency room nurse
Progressive care unit nurse
Home health nurse
Pediatric nurse
Clinical nurses play a crucial role in patient care. A clinical nurse typically cares for one patient at a time and it often includes preventative care or outpatient nursing. Through the dedicated services these registered nurses offer, they ensure that the holistic needs of patients are met in the healthcare system.
Search for traveling clinic RN jobs here.
Med surg nurses, also called medical surgical nurses, take care of patients who are suffering from an acute or potentially acute illness or injury or experiencing an exacerbation of a chronic condition affecting one or more body systems. They also focus on surgical nursing, helping prepare for the before and after effects of surgical procedures. Medical surgical nurses typically work on a med surg floor within an acute care hospital.
Search for travel med surg RN jobs here.
Telemetry is a great specialization that focuses on caring for cardiac patients. These registered nurses monitor patients’ vital signs to make sure they stay in stable condition and receive the care they need if their symptoms or mental health worsens. As specially trained medical professionals, telemetry nurses are trained to operate and read specialized monitoring equipment like electrocardiograms in different healthcare facilities and may assist healthcare providers with medical procedures.
Find travel telemetry RN jobs now.
For nursing specialties, intensive care unit nurses, also called critical care nurses stand out. Critical care nursing is not for the faint-hearted. They care for patients in the intensive care units (ICU) of hospitals. The dedication of these nurses shines brightly when patients are at their most vulnerable. Whether it is a life-threatening injury or a severe illness, critical care nurses are there to help. They are the ICU nurses who monitor the most critically ill or injured patients. Their expertise is vital in critical care units where the stakes are high and the work is challenging.
Look for critical care nurse jobs today.
Nurse educators have duties that extend beyond teaching clinical skills and collaboration practices to potential nursing professionals. A nurse educator is in charge of directing hospital research, guiding nursing students during their clinical rotations, designing and evaluating program curricula, conducting research on related topics, and ensuring the maintenance of their own clinical skills and certifications. Nurse educators teach and stand as instrumental figures in shaping the future of nursing.
Find travel nurse educator jobs here.
Nurse managers oversee nursing staff in hospitals or clinics and are responsible for patient care, making management and budgetary decisions, setting work schedules, coordinating meetings, and handling personnel decisions. Nurse managers are also responsible for hiring and training nurses and other healthcare professionals. They ensure records within the facility are maintained properly. Nurse managers work closely with their staff, serving as their nurse advocates. They stay updated with state and federal rules for patient safety, and make sure their team is well-informed about any changes in regulations that could affect patients.
Search for travel nurse manager jobs today.
In the realm of healthcare providers, ER nurses hold a special place. These specialized nurses care for patients in emergency situations, making them one of the most vital nursing specialties. Emergency nursing provides immediate care to patients in critical condition. They work tirelessly, navigating through the challenges of emergency healthcare, proving their importance time and again.
Find travel ER nurse jobs here.
Have you heard of step-down units or progressive care units? These units and nurses serve a key role in the healthcare journey of treating patients and providing intermediate-level care. PCU Stepdown nurses help transition patients from the intensity of the intensive care unit to a less intensive general medical-surgical floor. They are the ones ensuring that the transition from the ICU to general care is as smooth and safe as possible.
Search for travel PCU stepdown nurse jobs here.
Home health nurses work with elderly patients, providing specialized nursing care to patients in their homes. They may sometimes be referred to as home nurses or home healthcare nurses, and spend time taking care of anyone from the elderly to clients undergoing special therapy programs and learning skills to aid in recovering from their injury. Home healthcare nursing is one of the most rewarding nursing specialties because you're caring for patients in the comfort of their homes who otherwise can't make it to healthcare systems.
Look for traveling home health RN jobs here.
Pediatric nurses work with some of the most vulnerable populations. Pediatric nurses care for patients — from infancy to adolescence. They can work in doctor's offices, clinics, community health centers, hospitals, and surgical centers. In pediatric nursing, you assess both physical and emotional health, administer necessary medications and treatments, collaborate with others, promote health education among patients and families, and advocate for a child's well-being.
Find travel pediatric nurse jobs today.
Exploring a high-demand specialty opens doors to increased job opportunities and stability, as these fields often have a significant number of unfilled positions. It offers the potential for higher pay because of the demand in these specialties. High-demand specialties often present unique challenges and learning experiences, fostering professional growth and satisfaction.
You can find in demand nursing jobs on Fusion Marketplace, a healthcare staffing recruitment platform. You can search by pay, specialty, or agency, allowing you to find your next adventure. With Fusion Marketplace, you have more career and agency choices, ensuring you get the best travel nursing job tailored to your needs.
There are many in demand nursing specialties in a hospital or clinic setting that you can explore in 2024. Take the time to learn more about what each nursing specialty entails, what certifications you need, and how you can get experience with patient care in that position now. Good luck!