What if you're still unsure what kind of nurse you want to be?

[Certifiable]

It's that time. I'm 3 months away from my national licensing exam (eek!) and every 2nd person I meet or that hasn't spoken to me in a while asks "so where do you want to work?" (where=what kind of nurse)... it's really starting to get on my nerves--- because I want to shout at them "I DON'T KNOW"!

I'm very sure as to what I DON'T want: pediatrics, ER, Cardiac, neuro, OR, dialysis, hematology.

I'm most inclined towards oncology. But i'm afraid of starting in such a specialized field...

I don't want to go to a general ward, for example- internal medicine, because I just finished 38 shifts on that ward and never felt comfortable (constantly stressed)- the nurses says it takes a year and a half for a new nurse to finally feel comfortable there. I couldn't hack that, even if it's "the best thing a new nurse can do" according to my preceptor. I want a "field" that has a root cause for the patient being hospitalized, not a smorgasbord of illnesses that I saw in internal medicine.

This is starting to stress me out.

End of rant.

[I.C.UNurse]

Word of advice, if someone asks you what field you want to go into to, just say "I'm not sure yet, but I like ______ fields so far". I just graduated and have started work in an adult ICU and is my dream field to go into. I had my heart set on this field, but knew what the market was like and me being a "new grad" the director would probably not even look at my resume. However, she called me, got an interview and had a job a day later! Not everybody will have the luck I have had, but just know now is not the time to be picky about job placement. Before getting my ICU job I had and was in process of applying for about 10 different jobs in different fields. The experience in any field can only benefit you toward your future goals. Best of luck and do not be scared to go into a specialized field! I was in the same boat, but now I am happy coming home from work knowing if I would have let my nerves get into the way I would never have been this lucky! Best of luck to you and good luck!

p.s. When I had to do med-surg nursing clinicals for a whole semester of nursing school I dreaded it! However, I felt comfortable during my senior preceptorship in the ICU within weeks! Go for your dream! Good luck again!

[amortentia62442]

I agree with your preceptor that said "it is the best thing a new nurse can do". I started on an incredibly crazy chaotic stressful surgery floor right out of nursing school. Although it was insane what I had to deal with I learned A TON!! After three years there I just moved to the heme/onc floor. I love it!! But it is (generally) so much more laid back than my first job. Nurses that have only worked on this floor seem to get overwhelmed easily... The experience that you can gain from a general floor can be invaluable and make you feel much more comfortable once you do find your dream job.... I know it has helped me tons and although I didn't enjoy working on the surgery floor (awesome coworkers made it better though) I do not regret it for one second ... It has helped me so much... Just something to think about :)