NURS 6003 Week 10 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program
NURS 6003 Week 10 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.
Decisions are often not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.
| Note: Unless otherwise noted, initial postings to Discussions are due on or before Day 3, and response postings are due on or before Day 6. You are required to participate in the Discussion on at least three different days (a different day for main post and each response). It is important to adhere to the weekly time frame to allow others ample time to respond to your posting. In addition, you are expected to respond to questions directed toward your own initial posting in a timely manner. |
To Prepare:
- Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization. NURS 6003 Week 10 Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties
By Day 3 of Week 10
Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.
Expert Answer and Explanation
Choice of the Specialty
My choice of becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) was inspired by my personal and professional goals. As I progressively acquired nursing knowledge and improved my clinical skills, I became wired towards understanding patient care through the emotional and physiological perspectives. As I kept learning about the nature of care that patients receive, I realized that providers emphasize on the management of the physical or physiological symptoms of the health disorders, ignoring the affective and psychiatric implications of these disorders.
The ignored aspects of care contribute to the completeness of health which depends on the psycho-affective aspects of care. Realizing the existence of this gap coupled with my commitment to champion for the welfare of disenfranchised persons inspired my decision to focus on psychiatric health.
Difficulties in Making the Identified Choice
Primarily, I experienced difficulty settling on the area to specialize in because just like other nursing professionals that are considering advancing their practice, I explored different career pathways. Part of the measures I adopted while exploring the pathways involved identifying the benefits that each pathway generated especially when it comes to expanding access to career opportunities including job promotions.
As I contemplated the ideal career choice, the Family Nurse Practitioner emerged as one of the most promising specialties considering that it is versatile. Unfortunately, I found it challenging to address patients’ psychological needs given the lack of availability of adequate resources. Given this experience, I settled on the PMHNP as a specialty (Cai et al., 2022).
Stigmatizing of the psychiatric disorders is rampant even within the healthcare system, and this is a problem that I personally experienced even as I settled on the PMHNP. Some of my peers raised concerns over my choice of specialty, citing the emotional toll tied to addressing the psycho-affective needs of patients. I am less concerned about these issues because for one to address patients’ psychiatric needs, one has to be empathetic, emotionally intelligent and resilient.
It is through encountering and addressing these concerns that one makes positive change especially in the lives of others and in their lives. Dealing with patients with psychiatric needs is an emotionally and physically exhausting experience. Even though this is one of the primary issues linked to selecting the PMHNP as a specialty, one can still derive satisfaction from this specialty especially if they have access to the right resources and support (Fraino & Selix, 2021).
Factors that Inspired my Decisions
My decision to pursue PMHNP also stems from the need to make positive change amidst the gradual spike in incidences of mental health. The current trends in the surge in cases of disorders associated with anxiety and the use of the behavior altering substances including fentanyl has helped shape my decisions in this case. These rates are spreading differently across various demographic populations, resulting to inequality in population mental health outcomes. I see focusing on PMHNP as an opportunity to help patients achieve emotional and psychological wellness, which are key components of holistic care (Turi et al., 2023).
For anyone pursuing the PMHNP as a specialty, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is an ideal resource. This resource provides information related to the available professional networks including the information related to how nurses can advocate for patients. This body also connects nurses with career advancement opportunities. Joining this body requires submitting an application via the APNA’s website.
References
Cai, A., Mehrotra, A., Germack, H. D., Busch, A. B., Huskamp, H. A., & Barnett, M. L. (2022). Trends In Mental Health Care Delivery By Psychiatrists And Nurse Practitioners In Medicare, 2011-19. Health affairs (Project Hope), 41(9), 1222–1230. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00289.
Fraino, J., & Selix, N. (2021). Facilitating Well-Rounded Clinical Experience for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Students. The journal for nurse practitioners : JNP, 17(8), 1004–1009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2021.05.015.
Turi, E., McMenamin, A., Kueakomoldej, S., Kurtzman, E., & Poghosyan, L. (2023). The effectiveness of nurse practitioner care for patients with mental health conditions in primary care settings: A systematic review. Nursing outlook, 71(4), 101995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101995.
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FAQs
What is the most challenging nursing specialty?
The most challenging nursing specialty is often considered to be critical care nursing (ICU) due to the high-stakes environment, complex patient needs, and emotional intensity. Other highly demanding specialties include:
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Emergency Room (ER) Nursing – Requires rapid decision-making and handling unpredictable situations.
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Oncology Nursing – Emotionally taxing due to long-term care of seriously ill patients.
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Psychiatric Nursing – Involves managing mental health crises and behavioral challenges.
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Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU/NICU) – Combines critical care with the emotional stress of treating infants and children.
Challenges vary by individual, but these specialties often demand high levels of skill, resilience, and emotional strength.
What are the barriers and challenges that have slowed the progress of advanced practice nursing in the United States?
Barriers and challenges that have slowed the progress of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in the United States include:
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State-level scope-of-practice restrictions – Many states limit the ability of nurse practitioners to practice independently.
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Physician resistance – Some medical organizations oppose expanding APN roles, citing concerns about training and oversight.
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Lack of uniform regulations – Inconsistent licensing and credentialing laws across states create confusion and limit mobility.
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Reimbursement issues – APNs may face lower reimbursement rates or limited billing privileges compared to physicians.
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Limited public and institutional awareness – Patients and healthcare leaders may not fully understand or support the APN role.
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Educational barriers – Limited access to advanced training programs and faculty shortages restrict the growth of the APN workforce.
Addressing these challenges is key to maximizing the impact of APNs in improving healthcare access and outcomes.
Which type of nursing is best for males?
There is no single “best” type of nursing for males, as nursing specialties are suited to individual interests and strengths, not gender. However, many male nurses are drawn to areas that are fast-paced, physically demanding, or highly technical, such as:
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Emergency Room (ER) Nursing – High-pressure and action-oriented.
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Critical Care/ICU Nursing – Involves advanced technology and complex decision-making.
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Anesthesia (CRNA) – High responsibility, autonomy, and strong earning potential.
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Surgical Nursing/Operating Room – Requires focus, precision, and teamwork.
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Flight Nursing – Emergency care in helicopters or planes, often in extreme conditions.
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Psychiatric Nursing – Uses strong communication and crisis management skills.
Which nursing leader believed that nursing education should occur outside of hospitals and the medical model?
Isabel Hampton Robb is the nursing leader who believed that nursing education should occur outside of hospitals and move beyond the medical model. She was a pioneer in nursing education reform and advocated for university-based nursing programs, standardized curriculum, and professional training that emphasized both theory and practice. Her work laid the foundation for modern nursing education and helped establish nursing as a respected, autonomous profession.
What is the most challenging part of the nursing course?
The most challenging part of the nursing course is often the clinical rotations, where students apply theory to real-life patient care. Key challenges include:
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Balancing theory and practice – Applying complex medical knowledge in fast-paced environments.
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Time management – Handling academic workload, clinical hours, and personal life.
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Emotional stress – Coping with patient suffering, death, and high-pressure situations.
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Exams and NCLEX preparation – Mastering detailed content and critical thinking for licensing.
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Learning new skills – Developing proficiency in technical procedures and clinical judgment.
These demands require resilience, dedication, and strong support systems to succeed in nursing school.