Evolving Roles in Nursing: A Comprehensive Review of Titles, Specializations, And Their Implications

Abstract

Nursing as a profession is ever-changing, with positions broadening from bedside care to cover specialist, leadership, and tech roles. This review discusses the various nursing titles and specialties present on the totem pole and what that means for healthcare, patient care, and workforce. APRNs, nurse informaticists, forensic nurses — the profession expands its scope and role, growing and adapting to our ever-changing health care system. AI, telehealth, policy advocacy, and other core trends in and related to nursing are reshaping roles, requiring continuously updated education, and driving even more interprofessional collaboration. The role of nurses with challenges of role ambiguity, burn-out, and shortages (not only in numbers but also in skills) are presented, as well as pathways to professional advancement and policy solutions. Clearly, this is information we need because optimizing the efficiency of our overall healthcare system, improving patient care, and ensuring the sustainability and stability of our nursing workforce are inextricably linked to understanding how nursing is evolving.