Nursing Specialties Guide
Ten major nursing specialties — descriptions, required certifications, typical work settings, and pay ranges for California nurses in public and private healthcare.
ICU / Critical Care
Intensive care nurses manage the most critically ill patients, requiring advanced assessment skills, ventilator management, and hemodynamic monitoring. High acuity, high reward.
- · CCRN (Critical Care RN)
- · ACLS
- · BLS
- · PALS (optional)
- · Medical ICU
- · Surgical ICU
- · Cardiac ICU
- · Neuro ICU
- · Trauma ICU
Emergency / Trauma
ER nurses triage and treat patients across all acuity levels — from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies. Fast-paced, unpredictable, and deeply impactful.
- · CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
- · TNCC
- · ACLS
- · BLS
- · ENPC
- · Level I/II Trauma Centers
- · Community EDs
- · County hospitals
- · VA Emergency Depts.
Operating Room / Perioperative
Perioperative nurses manage patient care before, during, and after surgery. Roles include scrub nurse, circulator, and PACU nurse. Highly specialized and in constant demand.
- · CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room)
- · BLS
- · ACLS
- · Hospital ORs
- · Ambulatory surgery centers
- · VA surgical suites
- · UC Health ORs
Psychiatric / Mental Health
Psychiatric nurses provide care for patients with mental illness, substance use disorders, and behavioral health crises. A growing field with strong public sector demand — especially at CDCR and DSH.
- · PMH-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health RN)
- · BLS
- · CPI (Crisis Prevention)
- · State psychiatric hospitals (DSH)
- · CDCR facilities
- · County behavioral health
- · VA mental health units
Pediatrics
Pediatric nurses care for infants, children, and adolescents across medical, surgical, and specialty settings. Requires strong family communication skills and age-specific clinical knowledge.
- · CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse)
- · PALS
- · BLS
- · NRP (neonatal)
- · Children's hospitals
- · NICU
- · PICU
- · Pediatric outpatient clinics
- · County health
Oncology
Oncology nurses administer chemotherapy, manage side effects, and provide emotional support to cancer patients and families. Requires specialized training and strong patient advocacy skills.
- · OCN (Oncology Certified Nurse)
- · BLS
- · ONS Chemo/Biotherapy
- · Cancer centers
- · Infusion clinics
- · Inpatient oncology units
- · VA oncology
- · UC Health
Labor & Delivery
L&D nurses support mothers and families through labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum care. High stakes, emotionally rewarding, and in high demand across California.
- · RNC-OB (Inpatient Obstetric Nursing)
- · NRP
- · BLS
- · AWHONN Fetal Monitoring
- · Hospital L&D units
- · Birth centers
- · County hospitals
- · UC Health OB units
Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
Med-surg is the foundation of hospital nursing — managing patients recovering from surgery or with complex medical conditions. The largest nursing specialty and the best training ground for new grads.
- · CMSRN (Certified Med-Surg RN)
- · BLS
- · ACLS
- · All acute care hospitals
- · County hospitals
- · VA med-surg units
- · Skilled nursing
Public Health Nursing
PHNs work at the population level — running immunization clinics, disease surveillance, maternal/child health programs, and community outreach. Requires a PHN certificate in California.
- · PHN Certificate (California BRN)
- · BLS
- · CPH (optional)
- · County health departments
- · CDPH
- · HHS/CDC
- · School districts
- · FQHCs
Correctional Nursing (CDCR)
Correctional nurses provide primary, acute, and chronic care to incarcerated patients at CDCR's 33 facilities. The highest-paying RN classification in California state government, with full CalPERS pension and PSLF eligibility.
- · BLS
- · ACLS (preferred)
- · CDCR background clearance
- · 33 CDCR facilities statewide
- · Reception centers
- · Outpatient housing units
- · Correctional treatment centers
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