Nursing Specialties
Hospital specialties vs. occupational career specialties — what they are, how they work, what procedures nurses perform, and how to get there from where you are now.
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NICU — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Cares for premature and critically ill newborns. One of the most emotionally demanding and technically complex nursing specialties. Requires mastery of ventilator management, IV access in tiny veins, and family-centered care.
Common Procedures & How They Work
PACU — Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Recovers patients immediately after surgery as anesthesia wears off. Requires rapid assessment skills, airway management, and pain control expertise. High-acuity, fast-paced environment with 1:1 or 1:2 patient ratios.
Common Procedures & How They Work
ECHO — Echocardiography & Cardiac Nursing
Cardiac nursing spans telemetry, cardiac ICU (CVICU), cath lab, and cardiac surgery. Understanding how diagnostic tools like echocardiography work is essential for interpreting orders and educating patients.