Many nurses who choose a specialty become certified in that area, signifying that they possess expert knowledge. There are over 200 nursing specialties and sub-specialties.

Certified nurses sometimes earn a salary differential over their non-certified colleagues, and studies from the Institute of Medicine have demonstrated that specialty-certified nurses have higher rates of patient satisfaction, as well as lower rates of work-related errors in patient care.

See also

• Professional certification
• Nursing specialties
• Nursing certification

Nursing