The American Nurses Association has recognized five new nursing specialties since 2020, including two this year, as the profession formalizes practice areas ranging from cannabis care to blood management.
Each recognition establishes a scope and standards document defining the specialty’s practice. That step typically precedes a formal certification credential and shapes how health systems credential, train and deploy nurses in the area.
The two newest arrived in 2026. In June, ANA’s board recognized patient blood management nursing in partnership with the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management. The society first partnered with ANA in 2021 to pursue recognition and will develop continuing education standards and a certification credential for pharmacy benefit manager nurses.
On Feb. 26, ANA recognized men’s health nursing, developed with the American Association for Men in Nursing. The association called it the first nationally recognized men’s health specialty in any healthcare profession, aimed at disparities including higher rates of premature mortality, suicide, occupational injury and substance use among men and boys.
The five specialties recognized since 2020:
- Travel health nursing — March 4, 2020, with the American Travel Health Nurses Association
- Burn nursing — Aug. 12, 2020, with the American Burn Association
- Cannabis nursing — Sept. 27, 2023, with the American Cannabis Nurses Association.
- Men’s health nursing — Feb. 26, 2026, with the American Association for Men in Nursing
- Patient blood management nursing — June 17, 2026, with the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management
Each recognition adds a formal practice area to credential and staff. They also reflect a broader move to codify niche competencies as distinct specialties rather than informal skill sets.
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