Many people who are considering a career in nursing are unaware of the vast array of areas of specialization that exist in this profession. The Western Australia Health website lists clinical specialty areas of the nurses it employs. These are:

Burns
A burns nurse task including care for serious burns, rehabilitation, prevention and education.

Cardiology
A cardiology nurse care for patients with heart disorder.

Community
Nurses who work within specific communities or with a public health organisation.

Continence
Providing advice and support on bladder and bowel problems.

Diabetes education
Diabetes education nurse referred by the primary doctor to teach patients the skills and knowledge to live with diabetes.

Dialysis
A dialysis nurse administers the treatment and care for end-stage renal (kidney) patients

Education
Nurses who teach other aspiring nurses in an education setting such as university, educate other nurses about new technology and procedure, or educate the patients how to care their health.

Emergency
A nurse who provides care for patients in emergency or critical phase of illness or trauma

Family health
Provide health promotion and disease prevention from childhood to the aging process

Gerontology / aged care
A nurse who cares for elderly people and health problems related to old age

Infection control
A nurse who specializes in infectious disease control and prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections

Intensive care
An intensive care nurse cares for acutely ill and critical condition patients

Management
A nurse manager supports the clinical setting’s management and contribute to the strategic direction of the organization

Medical nursing
A nurse who works in medical facilities and care for patients with general medical conditions

Mental health
A mental health nurse provides care for people with mental health problems, this specialty requires completed post graduate course.

Neonatal intensive care
Nurse specializes in taking care newborn babies and newborn with the health problem

Nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse, master educated, function autonomously and collaboratively in clinical role, including refers the patients to other health professionals, prescription, ordering diagnostic investigations, and other advanced and extended clinical roles.

Occupational health
An occupational health nurse work on health promotion and the prevention of injuries and diseases to ensure the continued health of working populations

Oncology
Work to care for patients with cancer

Paediatric
A paediatric nurse cares for babies and children up to the age of 18 years

Peri-operative
Peri-operative nurses assist with surgical procedures, also responsible for looking after patients in their recovery.

Plastic surgery
A plastic surgery nurse provides care for patients undergoing reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, range from small to elective procedure

Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation nurses help patients to recover from debilitating injuries and diseases

Remote area nursing
These specialist nurses work individually or in a small team to provide health care to population in geographically isolated areas

Research
Nurses who responsible for conducting research and apply the findings into practice

Rural nursing
Rural nurses work in the hospital and clinical settings outside major towns, often have to use critical thinking and decision-making skills

School nurse
School nurses provide health service within school, give health education and assist students to make a safe transition to adulthood.

Surgical nursing
A nurse who cares and support patients before and after surgery

Wound management
Wound nurses provide care for the wounded patients and help them manage their condition, also to educate other nurses about wound management

In addition to practical tasks, nurses also responsible for supporting the patients and the family both physically and emotionally so they can deal better with the condition.

Specialist image by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images