the best nursing specialisms in 2025 and beyond.

tl;dr / summary:

• the future is specialised: today’s best nursing careers are rapidly moving beyond the traditional ward into tech, social care, and community settings.
• high-demand roles: focus on Nursing Informatics, Telehealth, Geriatric, Mental Health, and Community Nursing to build a resilient, future-proof career.
• make a strategic pivot: you can transition into these nursing jobs using your existing skills, targeted short courses, and practical on-the-job experience.
• this is your guide: we break down why these roles are booming and the practical steps you can take to get into them.

Are you ready to shape the future of your nursing career? Your skills are more valuable than ever, and your opportunities now extend far beyond the traditional hospital or facility ward. You can secure a role that offers greater flexibility, a renewed sense of purpose, and an improved work-life balance.

This evolution in healthcare creates high-demand, rewarding career paths for ambitious nurses like you. You can leverage your experience in areas including technology, social care, and community health. This guide shows you exactly how to capitalise on this trend. Discover 5 nursing specialisms that will continue to thrive in the UK in 2026, and learn the practical steps to transition into a future-proof role you’ll love.

what’s driving the shift in key nursing specialisms?

This evolution is driven by several key shifts in our society, creating a real need for nurses with diverse skills.

• technology is reshaping everything: from Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) to virtual care platforms, tech isn't just a tool anymore: it's the environment where care happens, particularly with the NHS's drive for digitisation.
• the UK's population is ageing: our ageing population means a significant increase in chronic and complex health conditions, demanding specialised geriatric and community-based care.
• care is moving into the community: the focus is shifting from expensive hospital stays to preventative, ongoing care in clinics, homes, and local communities, a core objective of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
• the mental health conversation: there's a critical, growing need for skilled and empathetic mental health professionals at every level of the healthcare system.

which nursing sub-specialisms are dominating the future of healthcare?

If you're thinking about your next career move, here are five specialisms worth exploring.

nursing informatics.

This specialism is about being the vital link between hands-on clinical care and technology, ensuring that digital systems genuinely support nurses and improve patient safety.

• why it's booming: with the continued push towards paperless systems and initiatives like digital referral pathways within the NHS, the demand for nurses who can manage and interpret health data is surging. Your clinical perspective is essential to make sure technology serves the patient, not the other way around.
• the day-to-day: you'll work on projects like optimising EPR/EHR systems, designing more intuitive clinical workflows, and using data to find new ways to improve patient care.
• your next step: look for postgraduate courses in health informatics or digital health. A great first step is to simply get involved in a digital transformation project within your current workplace to see if it’s the right fit for you.

telehealth nursing.

What became a necessity during the pandemic is now a core part of UK healthcare. Telehealth allows you to use your nursing skills to connect with patients no matter where they live.

• why it's booming: telehealth is key to delivering efficient follow-up care and remote monitoring, especially as the NHS seeks to manage rising demand. NHS Digital data shows that virtual consultations have become a permanent fixture, creating many flexible nursing jobs.
• the day-to-day: Your work could involve remote patient monitoring, virtual post-op follow-ups, phone triage, or delivering vital support to patients in their own homes.
• your next step: Many roles offer on-the-job training. You can strengthen your CV by completing CPD modules on virtual care delivery and digital literacy, showing you're ready for a tech-enabled role.

geriatric nursing.

As our population ages, this field has become one of the most complex and in-demand nursing specialisms, requiring a deep level of skill and compassion.

• why it's booming: a larger portion of the population requires specialised support for chronic conditions such as dementia and palliative planning, creating a huge need for dedicated and skilled nurses in both NHS and private social care settings.
• the day-to-day: you will manage patients potentially with multiple chronic conditions, oversee complex medication regimes, and provide holistic, dignified care in settings ranging from hospital wards to specialist care homes.
• your next step: this specialism offers a clear career path, from an Elderly Care Nurse to a Clinical Lead. Consider a postgraduate certificate in gerontological nursing to deepen your expertise.

mental health nursing.

With growing awareness around mental health, the need for empathetic and skilled nurses in this space has never been greater.

• why it's booming: a national focus on improving mental health services, particularly within NHS Mental Health Trusts, has opened up diverse roles well beyond traditional psychiatric wards, where your skills can make a real difference.
• the day-to-day: you could be working in community mental health teams, crisis response units, youth services, or rehabilitation centres, providing both therapeutic support and clinical care.
• your next step: a Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Mental Health Nursing will make you a highly sought-after candidate. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) offers excellent resources and pathways to specialise in this area.

community nursing.

The future of healthcare is preventative, and much of it is happening outside hospital walls. This specialism is about empowering people to stay healthy and supported in their own communities.

• why it's booming: the entire health system is shifting towards keeping people well at home, which reduces costly hospital admissions and improves quality of life. This is key to making ICSs function effectively.
• the day-to-day: this is one of the most autonomous nursing specialisms. One day you could be a Diabetes Educator in a clinic, and the next you could be providing wound care in a patient's home or running a school health programme.
• your next step: look for roles like Case Manager or Chronic Disease Specialist. Your experience in an acute setting is often a great foundation for moving into a community-based role. Moreover, getting qualified through reputed programmes further bolster your chances.

how can you prepare to transition into these specialisms?

Thinking about a change can feel like a huge step, but pivoting into a new specialism is often about building on the incredible foundation you already have.

what skills or education will you need?

• postgraduate study: for areas like mental health or informatics, a postgraduate certificate or diploma is often the gold standard.
• targeted CPD: focus your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours on your area of interest. The RCN and other professional bodies offer fantastic courses in telehealth, social care, and more.
• micro-credentials: look for short, targeted courses that can give you specific skills quickly without the commitment of a full degree.

where can you gain experience without leaving your current role?

• put your hand up: show your interest by volunteering for a telehealth pilot programme on your ward, joining the committee reviewing a new EPR system, or helping with a mental health screening initiative.
• shadow an expert: ask to spend a day with a nurse from the community palliative care team or a clinical nurse informaticist. One day of observation can provide invaluable clarity for your career goals.
• use your network: talk to people. Find a mentor who is already working in the specialism you're eyeing. Their experience and advice will be invaluable.

The future of nursing is evolving. The profession is expanding to include roles such as tech innovators, community leaders, and virtual care providers. By exploring paths beyond the ward, you can build a nursing career that is not only rewarding and impactful but also resilient and perfectly aligned with where healthcare is headed.

FAQs.