Many people starting nursing school have little idea what they want to do with the rest of their lives. These students know that they want to work in the medical field, and may even have a desire to help people, but they often don’t have enough experience to know how they want to put their degree to use. If you are heading off to nursing school this fall, be prepared to concentrate in a specific area of nursing in order to further your career and your salary. Here are five considerations to take when choosing a specialty:

1. Job Stresses

When you are considering a specialty, one of the first things to think about is the amount of stress you can handle. For instance, the mental and physical demands of an emergency nurse can be incredibly high, while running the medical office in an elementary school is often slower-paced. If you have a strong stomach and the ability to work under pressure, a job as a surgical nurse may be the perfect choice. If, on the other hand, you desire a slower pace with the ability to provide more personalized care, a job as a hospice or school nurse may be what you’re looking for.

2. Working Environment

The environment in which you work can make or break your career. Do you want to work as part of a team or would you prefer to be on your own? Do you want to work in a large, busy hospital or would you prefer the laid-back feeling of a small clinic? While some hospitals are new and packed with the latest equipment, others are decades old and making do with what they have.

3. Required Certification

When you are considering various specialties, it is important that you understand the additional education and certification that’s involved with each. You may have to obtain certification in chemotherapy protocols, advanced-life support, or even physical therapy techniques. Different specialties may require a few months of training or a year or more of specialized instruction.

4. Location

If you are dead-set on remaining in your hometown or have your mind made up on moving to where the sun shines all year long, you will want to research the specialties that are in demand in the region. If location holds the number one spot on your list of important criteria, it doesn’t make sense to spend money pursuing a specialty that you won’t be able to find employment in.

5. Job Satisfaction

When you stop to consider that you may hold your job for the next twenty to thirty years of your life, job satisfaction is incredibly important. Stop to consider what kind of work will make you the happiest. Do you want to spend your career working with parents and new infants? Do you want to help people navigate the last days of their lives? Do you want to help repair bodies that have been damaged by trauma? By giving some serious thought to what kind of work will make you the happiest, you can easily narrow down your choice of specialties.

Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers that there is. Take these five factors above into consideration when you are deciding on a specialty and you will not only be satisfied with the path you choose, but you will love it. By choosing the right specialty, you'll spend the next half of your life in an exciting, rewarding career.

Amber Pratt writes for higher education blogs nationwide. She recommends www.bestnursingmasters.com as a great resource for students interested in finding more information on getting an online masters in nursing