Your Specialty & Why

[AspiringNurseMW]

Hi all,

Im a pre-nursing student and just wondering how long you have been at your current specialty & why? Is there something about your personality that meshes with it? Life-altering experience? Accident? Is it where you thought you would be when you began nursing school? And what specialty, if so, would you like to work next and why?

[AdobeRN]

I learned quickly in nursing school that I did not like working with adults - love, love, love working with kids! I worked on a acute med/surg pedi floor right out of nursing school for a few years then transitioned over to school nursing (K-5th). Love my job, the kids & the staff. Really enjoy my hours - home with my family by 3:45p, no weekends, no holidays, the breaks - thanksgiving, Xmas, spring & summer. Believe it or not it does get hectic in my office - paperwork, keeping track of the needs of 750 kids and just the thought of during an emergency situation you are basically working alone until EMS arrives but I wouldn't trade it.

[CarryThatWeight, BSN]

Oncology. When I had my rotation in oncology in nursing school, all those patients with terminal diagnoses, including a 27 year old with stage 4 colon cancer, totally traumatized me. I said I would NEVER work oncology, ever. Well, the market was tough and when I graduated as an ADN in 2008, I applied to so many jobs. The only offer I got? Hematology in a cancer hospital. Dealing with the grim outlook of the situations was quite difficult to get used to. It's still hard, and I still read the obituaries regularly because it helps me get closure on my patients. However, cancer patients are special. They are the most inspiring people I have ever met. I am able to picture what it would be like to be in their shoes (many more than you'd think are my age--30's--or even younger), and it provides constant perspective on my life and what's really important. I learned so much studying for and passing my OCN exam. I love what I do, but I will admit I wish we had more success stories.

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

Med-surg, because as a nursing home LPN back in the day who wanted more out life, med/surg was the only area that I could lie my way into. Words of wisdom: nothing good EVER comes from lying. Been trying to lie my way out of it ever since.