The American Nurses Association (ANA) has formally recognized several new nursing specialties in recent years, reflecting the growing need for specialized knowledge and skills across healthcare. ANA recognition establishes a defined scope of practice and standards for each specialty, which can help guide education, credentialing and staffing.
The newest specialties recognized by ANA include:
- Travel health nursing — Recognized in 2020 to address the specialized care and education needed for patients traveling internationally.
- Burn nursing — Recognized in 2020 for nurses providing specialized care to patients with burn injuries.
- Cannabis nursing — Recognized in 2023 as a specialty focused on patient care and education related to cannabis.
- Men’s health nursing — Recognized in 2026 to address health concerns and disparities affecting men and boys.
- Patient blood management nursing — Recognized in 2026 in partnership with the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.
The development of these specialties reflects a broader shift toward formalizing specialized nursing expertise and creating clearer standards for training, credentialing and practice.
Resource: ANA’s 5 newest nursing specialties, from cannabis care to blood management