Specialist

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 4, 2014

Most students decide their specialty post graduation based upon the first job they are able to obtain.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 4, 2014

I would suggest going into nursing school with your eyes, ears & mind wide open. Before beginning nursing school, I wanted to go in to ER or ICU. I wanted nothing to do with maternity/OB, had no interest in it whatsoever, was dreading that rotation. Having just competed it, I actually loved it.

Now I'm excited to see what else I haven't considered that I might like as I finish my final year. I am not going to try & peg myself into a specialty until I'm done and have had time to do an internship at the hospital to find what unit is the best "fit".

Yes, I'm still very much attracted to ER & ICU, but I also know I need to get experience first before getting hired on in these units.

krisiepoo · May 4, 2014

I wouldn't make any decisions about specialties until you're working as a nurse... seeing/doing different things can really make a difference. I have only been working as a nurse for a little over 2 months but I was certain I wanted to do emergency medicine but now I'm leaning more towards wound nursing... I'm sure the more I see/do the more other alternatives will come up for me

RunBabyRN · May 4, 2014

I agree about waiting. Unless your heart is set on something, don't pick something yet. Plus, the way the job market is right now, take what you can get. Depending on where you are in school, you may be exposed to things you haven't seen yet, and you never know what will appeal to you. I know I want to be a CNM, but I never thought I'd also have interest in psych and hospice as well. Be open to the possibilities!

rubato, ASN, RN · May 4, 2014

I am going straight into oncology, because it's what I wanted from the very beginning. I went into school wanting it, had my first rotation there, got a CNA job there, and now have an RN job there. The only move I ever want to make is to hospice in 10 years or so.

Some people just know. If you don't, you should get a lot of different experiences under your belt first.

Besh · May 7, 2014

Thanks everyone your opinions really helps me and I'm glad that I'm surrounding with an amizing people like you

AMICURN · May 7, 2014

Personally, I would choose something that I enjoy rather than will advance my career (unless this advancement is something you would enjoy drastically more). If they're both about equal, I would probably go for what will advance my career. As an aside, you may want to keep in mind that relocating from wherever you are may help you secure a job. It depends on where you are, but you can receive job offers for various areas with a great understand of nursing (for what is appropriate for a student), great clinical experience (some people refer to the most important clinical time as preceptorship or capstone where you follow one nurse for x amount of hours or x shifts).