Nursing Specialties

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To all of my licensed nurses/LPNs how did you decide what your specialty would be. Do any of you have an experience where you were led into the specialty you currently work in, or influenced I guess would be a better word. Any remarkable stories?

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Psst...LPNs are licensed nurses. ;) Did you mean "registered?"

Someday I hope to work for an organization that helps Christians injured in anti-Christian attacks (overseas where there are areas with extreme anti-Christian hostility). That's why I decided to get into critical care trauma nursing. My hospital also has a burn center that I sometimes float to, so that's a bonus for my future goal.

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Specializes in Oncology (OCN).

I went to nursing school with the intent of working in NICU. Even did my senior practicum there. Problem is the hospital where I lived (fairly small town) didn't have a NICU and after commuting 120 miles one way for two years to finish nursing school, I wasn't willing to continue doing it for work. So I took a position where there was an opening--medical oncology--with the intention of transferring to the newborn nursery when there was an opening. Only I feel in love with oncology and ended up spending my entire career there. Some people have a very clear picture of what specialty area they are interested in. Others try several before they find an area that suits them. Some, like me, find theirs by default. The main thing is while you are in school be open to every single opportunity you get. Don't go into with a singular focus or the idea that you will never work in a certain area. I never imagined working oncology--thought it would be too difficult to lose patients all the time (but was willing to work NICU, go figure?) and yet I found it to be the most rewarding area ever.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

I love this! I'm a second career nursing student about to graduate. I went to school with the intent of working oncology since my first career was cancer research. I even though there was no way I'd even like my LD and nursery rotations. Well, I ended up loving NICU (where I said there's "no way I could do that"). Well. I now work as a tech in a level 4 NICU and am completely in love

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Psst...LPNs are licensed nurses. ;) Did you mean "registered?"

Someday I hope to work for an organization that helps Christians injured in anti-Christian attacks (overseas where there are areas with extreme anti-Christian hostility). That's why I decided to get into critical care trauma nursing. My hospital also has a burn center that I sometimes float to, so that's a bonus for my future goal.

what an amazing choice and great reason. I wish you the best!! Thanks for sharing

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I love this! I'm a second career nursing student about to graduate. I went to school with the intent of working oncology since my first career was cancer research. I even though there was no way I'd even like my LD and nursery rotations. Well, I ended up loving NICU (where I said there's "no way I could do that"). Well. I now work as a tech in a level 4 NICU and am completely in love

Thanks for sharing this..!! Do you think you will spend your entire career there or is there a second area of interest?

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what an amazing choice and great reason. I wish you the best!! Thanks for sharing

yeah :wacky:

sometimes i type too fast just typing before I forget my message

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Thanks for sharing this..!! Do you think you will spend your entire career there or is there a second area of interest?

Probably not (but who knows). I like the fluidity and diversity of nursing. I like that it is a profession where, if you keep learning and take initiative, you can move in and out of different things. One thing that I like with NICU is that so many of them also have clinical research opportunities integrated into their units. I may venture out into NP world eventually also. But right now, I'm just ready to graduate and start my career. After my whole nursing school ordeal, I've learned that old adage of "never say never" is so true and I have learned that while it's good to have goals, you need to step back and see the full picture and even step out of your comfort zone and even deviate from your plans sometimes.

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I love this! I'm a second career nursing student about to graduate. I went to school with the intent of working oncology since my first career was cancer research. I even though there was no way I'd even like my LD and nursery rotations. Well, I ended up loving NICU (where I said there's "no way I could do that"). Well. I now work as a tech in a level 4 NICU and am completely in love

What type of tech are you currently?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

LPNs are licensed.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
What type of tech are you currently?

Nurse tech (CNA type position specifically for nursing students)

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My first job was in the ICU /critical care - that was my goal when I was in nursing school and I got hired on the unit I did one of my clinicals.

Later on I decided to try out other "things".

Many years later, I ended up in palliative and hospice care and love it, I also got specialty certified.

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