can RNs change specialties often

Nurses General Nursing

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I don't mean float pool, but say you work in med-surg for a year, then apply to ED, then next year or two you want ICU or you want maternity, next psych.. Depending on availability do some nurses do that? Is it frowned upon?

I'm graduating in a few days and keep being told I need to specialize but I like a lot of different areas and once I learn how to be a nurse I feel like I might want to change a lot.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Well, I would find a good hospital where you think you may want to

stay for a long time. I'd get a couple of good years of Med Surge under

my belt. Then, just let your manager and your CNO know that you

would like to crosstrain to different units, maybe be a permanent float

nurse who moves around to all of the different units.

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Specializes in NICU.

Yeah, I'd try to find a structured, formalized way into it, like floating, rather than just changing jobs every year or two. Job hopping doesn't look great on a resume, even if it's changing specialties.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I'm a new grad, and I work on the float pool. It is hard, trying to learn all these specialities. But it's such a great oppurtunity to move around and everything I'm interested in. I agree, float pool or start with med/surg. It may not be your preferred area but you will learn how to be a nurse.

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Thank you for the replies! The hospital system I work in has 2 float pool options: med-surg float or ICU/ED float.

Yeah, I'd try to find a structured, formalized way into it, like floating, rather than just changing jobs every year or two. Job hopping doesn't look great on a resume, even if it's changing specialties.

You know this made me think about another question.... I could really use advice on this please.

My mom and I plan to move to another state. My mom won't be ready to move until probably October. Maybe September if everything goes smoothly.

I'll be taking the NCLEX at the end of June though.

What is a smarter thing to do

Option 1: I move ahead of my mom and rent an apartment (and hire a dog walker) - more costly option but start working where I want to live (I'd also take the nclex in that state, instead of taking it here and applying for reciprocity)

Option 2: Start working here where I am for 3 months...saves money but might look pretty bad?? (to leave after only 3 months?)

I was originally going to get my own apartment in northern NJ but my mom has cancer and wants to move as soon as she can and I want to move also to another state not that I don't like NJ but I like warmer weather and cheaper cost of living and to be with my mom.

I have a job promised here where I live in NJ already. The job I applied to in the other state is a considerably lower salary, but like I mentioned so is cost of living.

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Option 1 would probably be your smartest option, if you can swing it.

Go ahead and get licensed in the state where you are going to be living,

and get to working in a job that you might get to stay for a while.

Are you and your mom planning on getting an apartment anyway?

Or looking at buying something?

What state are you moving to? Just curious. :)

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