Jack of all trades nurse

[al3x117]

I don't want to specialize in anything, to be honest. I want a nursing job where I will see and do everything. Just wanting to get my feet wet. What areas of nursing are the best for this type of learning environment?

[TriciaJ, RN]

Small town hospitals are supposed to be good for people who want to do a little bit of everything.

[nursekayde1978]

If you want to see and do almost everything, the ED is the place to start. It affords you the ability to participate in all sorts of care from basic clinical to trauma. Also you won't have to have your patient for longer than one shift and definitely not longer than any one day. If you are interested in neurological problems, cardiac problems, ob, peds, cancer treatment, infusion, trauma, fractures, psych, etc.....almost 90% of hospital patients start in the ED.

[winniewoman9060ret]

Med surgery or float pool.

[PeakRN]

I disagree that med/surg will let you see everything. Even those are becoming a specialty and different units will specialize in various areas like diabetic/renal care, complex surgical care, othro, spine, stroke, et cetera.

The ED is good if you want more of a variety but you have to remember that most of our patients are not even close to sick and we are not providing 12 hours of nursing care. We triage, provide stabilizing interventions, and disposition.

Only in a small rural hospital will you really see "everything." ED patients, med/surg patients, pediatrics, OB, et cetera.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I would say...start off in ICU/Stepdown, preferably surgical (because you will get medical cases too and if the surgical ICU takes cardiac surgery cases too, even better) and then work in the ER.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Join the float team at your hospital (if they have one). That's my role, and despite my issues with my employer, I am glad I chose that path. I have seen and done so much in the 6 months I've been in this role. I currently go to rehab, ortho/neuro, Oncology/Hematology/Tele, Medical, and Surgical. I can't stress how much I have enjoyed learning so much.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Start in a pediatric general med surg unit. If you get comfortable with pediatric patients it will serve you well the rest of your career. Then an adult med surg, those basic skills and knowledge will come back quickly. Then ER or float, for variety and intensity. I did a detour to a small hospital maternity, and its great to know you could deliver a baby at the 7-11 if need be.

Basically, if you start your career in pediatrics, you can easily go to adults, but the reverse is not as easy.

[RotorRunner]

Hmm. If you like critical care with a little more excitement, consider flight nursing! I started in ED, did a couple years in a MICU, and now work on a flight team. You get a mix of trauma, cardiac, respiratory, neurological emergencies, etc. Lots of autonomy and thinking on your feet.

Consider starting in an ED if you want a little of everything as well. The ED teaches time management, prioritization, and how to identify a sick person.

Just some ideas. :) Best of luck in your career!

[oops I bradyed again]

I disagree that med/surg will let you see everything. Even those are becoming a specialty and different units will specialize in various areas like diabetic/renal care, complex surgical care, othro, spine, stroke, et cetera.

I definitely agree with this! It probably depends on the hospital, but where I work the med/surg and ICU units are all very specialized. That's why float pool is so awesome, you get to learn a little bit of everything! There are different float pools for adult med/surg, adult ICU, peds, and peds ICU so that is something to consider as well.

[Alex_RN, BSN]

"Acute" long-term acute care. Med/surg with vents, drips and so much more, and having patients long enough to learn them inside out!

You will do procedures in LTAC every week that you will only see a few times a year on a "regular" unit. Remember, your LTAC patients are the same as short-stay patients except that they aren't expected to get better any time soon.

[Munch]

Yup as most people said med-surg. I work the Neuro floor with regular med-surg overflow and I love it. Some of my patients were so sick that they were in the NSICU but recovered enough to come to the floor. I love seeing patients turn a corner like that. The reason why I like my unit is because while we do specialize in Neuro we also have the overflow so I get to see a variety of patients. Actually most of the time we have more med-surg patients than Neuro patients.

[nursesunny, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Outpatient Treatment Center! I did this on a floor of an acute care hospital, tons of IV insertion, infusions, PICC line placement (with provided certification), TEE, Cardioversion, Bubble Studies, Facet Blocks, GI lab, Procedural Sedation, self contained recovery center....awesome experience!!!