[alongbella]

Here is something that AllNurses has done for me. About a year ago, I was still in school, and I asked for advice on AllNurses about specializing right out of school. A few of us at school decided that we were very interested in Labor and Delivery. Our instructors told us that we would do well to do at least a year in Med/Surg, which is true, undoubtably, before we tried to specialize. "And besides," they said "no one will hire a new grad in Labor and Delivery." I made up my mind that I would do Med/Surg for a year, but got more and more depressed about that decision. I got some good advice from this site but I remember 2 posts especially. One from a L & D nurse manager in the Midwest that said that she would hire a new grad, and another post from a woman who was given the same advice as me and my classmates. She said she always wanted to do L & D but decided to get some experience in Med/Surg. She went on to say that she regretted that decision because 20 some years later, she is still doing Med/Surg. SO- I interviewd for and have started a job in L & D and I really like it so far. My friend went to Med/Surg and she wants out. Thanks to this site, I didn't go with the crowd and I was able to do the right thing for me! Thanks!!

[brian]

What a great story, Thanks for sharing!

Welcome to the exciting world of Nursing and enjoy your new career in L&D!!

[Keicha RN]

I couldn't agree with you more. I garduated a year and a half ago and was hired in a very busy pediatric emergency room. This is what I wanted to do and I love it. One of my girlfriends who graduated the same time that I did who decided to do a year of med-surg is already bitter and feeling overworked. There is such a wide spectrum for nurses. Why settle in an area you don't like and be bitter when you can choose the specialty you love and be happy. At the end of the day, you still learn what you need to know.

[alongbella]

You are right!! I was so nervous starting but every one is very supportive. I love my preceptor. She is very encouraging, always available for questions and gives me good feedback. I am more and more encouraged in my decision. I'm glad that you are happy specializing in emergency peds. I used to do hotel and restaurant management and though I know some will disagree and maybe I just got lucky, but so far, this job beats the stuffing out of any hotel restaurant job I ever had. Besides, I'm 43. I (think) I'm now done doing what others think I should do and ready to make decisions for myself.

[nunurs05]

It's really helpful to hear all of your experiences. I'm struggling with the same problem of wanting to specialize also...however there's more than one area that I'm interested in!! There's so many choices in nursing. Not to discourage anyone, but I take great value in talking to recent grads(like myself) and others that are in various areas of nursing for various amounts of time. Their advice was similar...doing med/surg for a year. However, more recently I've been told it gives them more "self-confidence" when starting as a new grad. Does anyone agree??

[strssedstudent]

Originally Posted by nunurs05

It's really helpful to hear all of your experiences. I'm struggling with the same problem of wanting to specialize also...however there's more than one area that I'm interested in!! There's so many choices in nursing. Not to discourage anyone, but I take great value in talking to recent grads(like myself) and others that are in various areas of nursing for various amounts of time. Their advice was similar...doing med/surg for a year. However, more recently I've been told it gives them more "self-confidence" when starting as a new grad. Does anyone agree??

I'm also a student who plans to specialize right out of school - I know I want ED or trauma. If you have interest in more than one area, check with your local hospitals and see if they offer a summer extern/intern program. Several of our hospitals offer this and you get to choose what area you want to work in. It's great for the learning opportunity and would give you a feel for at least one area. With our program you can stay on during the 2nd year of school (I'm in an ADN program) prn with no minimum hours required. During the final semester you can choose a general area (cardiac for example) then you float to all the different departments that are cover it. Plus if you get hired you get 1 yr employment credited to you!!! Too bad it doesn't count toward my clinical hours

[grammyr]

I was advised to do one year Med Surg but I got put in Peds/Ortho. The ortho was fine, but I knew right away I didn't need to be in Peds. I don't mind peds in the ED but I don't want them for very long. I transferred to the ED in 7 months and knew that was where I needed and wanted to be. Been here ever since.

This site has also been a lot of help to me both personally and professionally. There is a lot of good advise on here.

[Jessy_RN]

I am glad to read about your success, best wishes to you.

[mmutk]

I am will be a new grad in May and currently work in an emergency room in the southeast. I plan to specialize straight out of school also, by going into an ER position. I think that as long as you have some experience and a great preceptor, that is is very feasable for a new grad to go into a specialized area of nursing.

Good luck to ya

-Marshall

[guzzebear]

Hi..I am graduating this December :hatparty: (yeah!!!) and interested in working in the ED. There are two school of thoughts regarding going to a speciality right out of nursing school. One is starting with at least 1-2 years in MED/SURG to develop your assessment and time managment skills or go straight. I decided to go straight into my desire field. Many hospitals now have new grad speciality programs that is very supportive (about 6 months long). I got hired directly into the ED already and won't start until 2/06. To be honest I am a little scared and don't know what to expect....I will let you guys know 6 months after I start....