Nurse practitioners are skilled healthcare providers who do much more than you might expect. In this advanced nursing role, they can diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests and even prescribe medication.
For many patients, a nurse practitioner is their primary care provider, the person they see for everyday health care.
But you can’t take on a role like this without nursing education beyond the associate’s or bachelor’s degree you earned to get your registered nursing license. For this reason, nurse practitioners are considered advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Excitingly, nurse practitioners can choose to specialize in a particular aspect of nursing. This allows them to focus on a certain group of patients or type of care — like kids, mental health, or older adults.
Specializing helps them give the best possible care for the people they serve.
Common types of nurse practitioners?
There are many types of nurse practitioners, each focusing on a specific patient population or kind of care. These nurse practitioner specialties—also called NP specialties—allow providers to build deep expertise in their chosen field while helping patients get care that’s tailored to their needs.
Here are some common NP specialties and their acronyms:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) – Primary and specialty care for adults and older adults
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Care for patients of all ages in a variety of settings
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – Focus on the health of infants, children and teens
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Mental health care for patients across the lifespan
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) – Specialized care for newborns, especially those in intensive care
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) – Reproductive and gynecologic health for women and people assigned female at birth
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) – Care for patients with urgent or complex health issues
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner (ONP) – Support and treatment for patients with cancer
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (ONP) – Care for patients with bone, joint and muscle conditions
Rasmussen University’s Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner degree program does not offer specializations in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, and Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner.
These aren’t all of the NP options out there by any means—but they represent some of the largest nurse practitioner certifications. Some nurse practitioners also work in subspecialties like cardiology, dermatology or emergency care, building an even more focused practice.
Among these, some of the most common NP paths include adult-gerontology, family practice, pediatrics and psychiatric-mental health. These are the four specialties offered by Rasmussen University.
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP)
An adult gerontology nurse practitioner focuses on primary care for adults from age 18 through the senior years. They diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, create treatment plans and provide preventive care to help patients stay healthy over time. This role blends medical expertise with a focus on long-term patient care, often building relationships that last for years.1
Where they work
AGPCNPs can be found in primary care clinics, hospital settings, nursing homes and private practices. Their work environment often depends on the needs of the community and the patient populations they serve.
Who they serve
These licensed registered nurses care for adults of all ages, with a special emphasis on aging patients. They may help someone manage a chronic illness like diabetes or support healthy aging for seniors who want to maintain their independence.
For more on this specialty, read What Is Gerontology? Understanding an Important Field of Study.
Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
A family nurse practitioner provides primary care for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults. In this nursing role, they diagnose health conditions, prescribe medication and create treatment plans that address both short-term concerns and long-term wellness. FNPs often serve as a go-to healthcare provider for entire families, building trust over years of care.2
Where they work
FNPs work in primary care clinics, private practices, hospitals and community health centers. They may also provide care in schools, urgent care clinics or other settings where families seek health services.
Who they serve
Family nurse practitioners care for children, adults and seniors, often treating multiple generations within the same family. This wide scope lets them manage a variety of health needs, from preventive care to complex conditions.
For more on this specialty, check out What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?.
Pediatric primary care nurse practitioner (PPCNP)
A pediatric nurse practitioner cares for children from birth through young adulthood. They focus on wellness visits, immunizations, developmental screenings and treatment for common illnesses.
PPCNPs also play a big role in patient education, working closely with parents and caregivers to support healthy growth and address concerns early. Some may also provide prenatal and postnatal care for families, helping them prepare for and adjust to life with a new baby.
Where they work
PPCNPs can be found in pediatric offices, primary care clinics, hospitals and neonatal intensive care units. Depending on their setting, they may provide routine checkups, urgent care or follow-up for children recovering from serious illness.
Who they serve
These specialists care for infants, children and adolescents, guiding them through important stages of development. They often become a trusted resource for families, answering questions and helping prevent future health issues.
For more on this specialty, see What Is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?.
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specializes in diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders. They provide therapy, prescribe medication and create treatment plans to help patients manage mental illnesses over time.4
PMHNPs also focus on patient care that supports emotional well-being, helping individuals build coping skills and improve their quality of life.
Where they work
PMHNPs can be found in mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices and community health centers. They may also work in schools, correctional facilities, or through telehealth platforms to reach patients who have limited access to care.
Who they serve
These specialists care for children, adolescents and adults experiencing mental health challenges. They may help patients manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions, often working with people who have complex needs or limited support systems.
For more on this specialty, read How to Become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
The importance of Nurse Practitioner specialties
Specializing within nursing practice allows advanced practice registered nurses to bring focused knowledge and skills to the patients they serve. Choosing a specialty is not just about career direction; it can also shape the quality of care and the impact an NP has on their community.
You can go deeper with your expertise
By selecting a specialty, nurse practitioners commit to gaining advanced skills in a particular area of nursing practice.
This could mean understanding the unique health challenges of children, learning advanced cancer care as an oncology NP or mastering mental health treatment plans. This expertise helps them stand out as healthcare providers and gives patients confidence in the care they receive.
You can improve patients’ access to care
Specialized nurse practitioners can meet patient needs more effectively because they focus on a specific population or type of care. Whether it’s reproductive health, orthopedic recovery or psychiatric support, having NPs trained in these areas expands healthcare access — especially in underserved communities where primary physicians may be limited.
You can shape your work environment
The specialty an NP chooses often determines where they work.
Some roles may place them in hospitals or emergency departments, while others lead to private practices, nursing homes or community clinics. This flexibility allows nurse practitioners to find a work setting that matches their career goals and lifestyle.
Work settings for nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners can work in many different settings, which means they can choose an environment that matches their skills, career goals and preferred pace of work.
Hospital settings
In hospital settings, NPs may work on general medical floors, specialty units or in surgical recovery areas. Some provide advanced support in emergency departments, helping to stabilize patients and coordinate care with physicians and nurses.
Primary care settings
Primary care settings like local clinics and health centers often allow NPs to focus on preventive services, routine checkups and ongoing care for chronic conditions. This environment can help build strong, long-term relationships with patients and families.
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Many nurse practitioners work in nursing homes or assisted living communities, where they manage chronic illnesses, provide regular health assessments and coordinate with care teams to support quality of life for residents.
Private practices and specialty clinics
Private practices and specialty clinics give NPs the chance to focus on specific areas like orthopedics, cardiology or dermatology. These settings often allow for more predictable schedules and a smaller, more consistent patient base.
Community health centers and outpatient clinics
In community health centers and outpatient clinics, NPs serve diverse populations and often focus on improving healthcare access for underserved groups. This can include offering same-day appointments, outreach programs and preventive health education.
Find your path as a nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners play an important role in today’s healthcare system. Their advanced training and wide range of specialties allow them to care for patients in many different settings and meet diverse health needs.
If you’re considering a career in nursing practice and want to explore one of these advanced nursing roles, check out our Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner program page to get details about how these programs work.
1Are You Considering a Career as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner? (2020), American Association of Nurse Practitioners, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-an-adult-gerontology-primary-care-nurse-practitioner
2Are You Considering a Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner? (2020), American Association of Nurse Practitioners, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-a-family-nurse-practitioner
3Are You Considering a Career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner? (2020), American Association of Nurse Practitioners, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-a-pediatric-nurse-practitioner
4Are You Considering a Career as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner? (2020), American Association of Nurse Practitioners, https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner
