There are so many opportunities in the nursing field that can move your career in unexpected ways and into different places. Here are some examples of nursing specialties that you may not be aware of.

In 1986, Annie Lehy became a nurse. Little did she know that her profession could take on so many different roles. As she faced different obstacles and opportunities, she has been able to use her nursing degree in a number of non-traditional ways. So far, she’s been a successful writer and writing facilitator; trainer in areas of risk assessment and interventions; consultant motivational coach and counselor; and even a psychotherapist. 

“I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur nurse. But everything I am passionate about became a patch on my quilt of life,” says Lehy. “I still think the basic foundations of nursing are what I go back to in whatever I am doing.”

Finding your passion in the field of nursing might be easier than you think. There are so many opportunities that can move your career in unexpected ways and into different places. Here are 11 incredibly cool nursing specialties you might not have known about.

1. Camp Nurse
Is the great outdoors your type of office? You might look into camp nursing if you long for fresh air and fun activities.

2. NASCAR Nurse
It takes a lot of people to run the NASCAR races and that includes medical staff. As senior director of NASCAR’s Medical Liaison Department,  Lori Sheppard, RN manages the day-to-day operations of her department and focuses on the medical needs of the racing series

3. Medical Script Nurse
Have you seen how many new medical television shows are running on network and cable stations? And think of all of the movies you’ve watched which have dramatic scenes in hospitals.

4. Hyperbaric Nurse
Hyperbaric chambers have been used for decades to treat divers for decompression sickness, but they also serve as therapy for more traditional patient populations.

5. Disney Nurse
Can you think of any other type of nursing specialty where you can call on Mickey Mouse or a princess to make a patient feel better? Cheryl Talamantes, RN, BSN serves as the Guest Service Manager for the Disneyland Resort. She has been a nurse for 34 years and describes what it’s like to work at the theme park:

“Guests come from all over the country and the world, and there are situations where we are working through language barriers as well as cultural traditions,” she says. “In addition to having First Aid locations in each of our parks, we have a response location for our hotel guests.”

6. Yacht Nurse
The staff on chartered luxury yachts must provide first-class service to all their guests. One of these services is on-demand medical care. The crew on a yacht is generally small, requiring nursing skills on a limited basis, so nurses choosing this career should be prepared to also act as a stew or deckhand.

7. Flight Nurse
Flight nurses accompany patients as they are being transported by aircraft. Most of these patients require advanced critical care and the flight nurses are ultimately responsible for all direct patient care during transportation.

8. Parish Nurse
Parish nursing or Faith Community Nursing mixes the practice of nursing with the beliefs of a religious community. These nurses encourage physical and spiritual health as part of a holistic health plan which includes wellness, disease prevention, and other therapeutic activities.

9. Transgender Youth Nurse
With a greater awareness and acceptance of the transgender population, more and more patients are seeking medical care and at younger ages.

10. Health Policy Nurse
With the healthcare system getting increasingly complicated and expensive, some nurses are advocating for change to make it more accessible and affordable.

11. Nurse Health Coach
Personal coaches have become increasingly sought after. From nutrition and fitness to careers and business, and even relationships and love, coaches can be found in almost any aspect of our lives.

With a greater focus on the individual, personal health coaches can promote wellness, resiliency, and quality of life by guiding their patients to strategies for a healthier lifestyle. They serve to bridge the gap between your doctor visits and everyday life.

read more about these unique specialties at Nurse.com