[Sobi]

I'm going in to the army this fall, and I have a guarantee for one of the four specialties (psych, OB, Critical Care, or Peri-op). I was wondering if there are any nurses out there who were willing to throw their two cents in about which specialty is the best? - Thanks

[ArmyMale79]

HI, Well i can't really comment on which one is the best since you probably have to try and shadow each one first. I personally wanted to do critical care when i first came into the army. However after working on a IMCU for the last year and a half, I have decided to pursue OR nursing after shadowing there. I just cant take the really sick patients anymore. I have another friend who also came in wanting to do ICU and ended up doing OB,after being placed there because of a shortage; she really loves it now. So the best advice is to shadow the specialties you really think you are going to be interested in. I heard the Army Nurse corp would be instituting some type of program where you work in each area for like a couple of months for a whole year or something. Anyway wish you the best.

[Rme4life]

L&D is the only way to go for me, but most army nurses would rather not work any where near a laboring mom or new born baby. most of the army nurses i talk to want critical care or the OR. what ever you end up with try and find your passion and stick with that. and you don't have to get a specialty at all, you can stay a 66H and keep your options open.

[JDCitizen]

Originally Posted by Sobi

I'm going in to the army this fall, and I have a guarantee for one of the four specialties (psych, OB, Critical Care, or Peri-op). I was wondering if there are any nurses out there who were willing to throw their two cents in about which specialty is the best? - Thanks

I know this posting has a few months old....

New nurse or just new to the services? Usually takes a new nurse a couple of years to find out what they really like.. If you can shadow / float to see what you like because you might be surprised. Floating for all practical purposes usually isn’t at all desirable because it is usually unexpected / forced but sometimes you get surprised. Iv covered almost every department in my years. As a male I have even been to OB (as a paramedic in the old days I helped deliver in the back of Ambulances) the most trouble I ever had on any OB floor came from the nurses and doctors..