Medical-Surgical Nurse
Medical-surgical nurses usually work in hospital settings and treat heavy patient loads, typically five to seven per day. The Medical-Surgical Nurse Certification Board (MSNBC) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) give certifications to these nurses.
Neonatal Nurse
Neonatal nurses are employed to work in the care of infants who were born prematurely or with life-threatening and severe diseases. They may work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; pronounced “nick-you”), CCU, ICU, trauma unit or other healthcare setting. The AACN provides a certification for these nurses.
Occupational Health Nurse
An occupational health nurse mainly works in a clinical setting but may also work for a large company as a full-time nurse. For example, a large manufacturing company might hire an occupational health nurse to help prevent injuries, treat workplace health issues, and administer workers’ compensation and family medical leave. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) administers a certification program.
Public Health Nurse
Nurses who work in public health may be hired by government agencies, nonprofits and other organizations that enhance public health through education and screening. Public health nurses focus on offering treatment to a community at large, rather than to individuals in private practices. RNs with five years of public health experience and a bachelor’s degree can apply for the Certification in Public Health that’s offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.