Wondering whether to specialize after completing degree or to do a year med/surg?

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Hi, my name is Vanessa, and I am about to start my final year for BNursing. Found this website the other day and have enjoyed reading the threads. I've loved studying my degree and am now looking forward to completing it. I have enjoyed my praxis and am now wondering where I will head once the degree is completed. What area's have been of interest to you all? I love to find out about other people's passions. Let me know how you found your speciality? :)

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Hi, my name is Vanessa, and I am about to start my final year for BNursing. Found this website the other day and have enjoyed reading the threads. I've loved studying my degree and am now looking forward to completing it. I have enjoyed my praxis and am now wondering where I will head once the degree is completed. What area's have been of interest to you all? I love to find out about other people's passions. Let me know how you found your speciality? :)

Are there any areas that you have done rotations in that really appeal to you? This should be your first choice to check out..............or if there are areas that you think you may be interested in but do not get a chance to do a rotation in, see if you can shadow a nurse in that area for a day.

Good luck............ :balloons:

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Are there any areas that you have done rotations in that really appeal to you? This should be your first choice to check out..............or if there are areas that you think you may be interested in but do not get a chance to do a rotation in, see if you can shadow a nurse in that area for a day.

Good luck............ :balloons:

Thanks for the advice....Shadowing a nurse for a day is an excellent idea. I will definitely look into arranging this. :)

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Specializes in Renal, Haemo and Peritoneal.

Try and get into a good FYP program then hopefully you will be "poached" or you can approach the NUM of unit you like. If this isn't the case then a year of med/surg will give you a heap of experience, and you might be able to decidede where to head after that.

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Hi Vanessa,

I don't think it hurts to do a medical/surgical rotation to consolidate your skills and get the time management thing together. Then you can go chase what really interests you. I started out this way and have been working in ED and Remote in recent years.

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Hi Vanessa,

I don't think it hurts to do a medical/surgical rotation to consolidate your skills and get the time management thing together. Then you can go chase what really interests you. I started out this way and have been working in ED and Remote in recent years.

Hi, thanks for your input.... I love to hear what everyone has to say. I am thinking on doing what you suggest. Have a good look around whilst consolidating my skills (which I have really enjoyed learning). I am very attracted to psych nursing, but I also enjoyed other praxis as well. I think it would be good to see the "real thing", I know on praxis we only see snap shots, and are often shown lots of "interesting" things which detract from the day to day reality of the job. I feel like a kid in a candy store, lots of things to look at and to choose......Cheers :)

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Hi Vanessa,

I don't think it hurts to do a medical/surgical rotation to consolidate your skills and get the time management thing together. Then you can go chase what really interests you. I started out this way and have been working in ED and Remote in recent years.

Hi, thanks for your input.... I love to hear what everyone has to say. I am thinking on doing what you suggest. Have a good look around whilst consolidating my skills (which I have really enjoyed learning). I am very attracted to psych nursing, but I also enjoyed other praxis as well. I think it would be good to see the "real thing", I know on praxis we only see snap shots, and are often shown lots of "interesting" things which detract from the day to day reality of the job. I feel like a kid in a candy store, lots of things to look at and to choose......Cheers :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Hello Vanessa and WELCOME!

Nothing beats hands on practical experience in the nursing profession, nothing! Believe me! So, m'dear, my advice to you would to heed the advice from the other posters here, and obtain that practical exposure/experience.

Working in med/surg exposes you to many and varied health issues/situations. Usually covers a broad spectrum, and can be a great learning curve for a new graduate. It was during my time working in a surgical ward that I discovered my interest and "like" for orthopaedics. In time, I did a course which further enhanced my skills and knowledge in that field. I thouroughly enjoyed my time working in that speciality. But am ever SO glad and grateful, that I was exposed to other many and varied aspects of health care before I chose one particular area in which to work. Ah, the memories .....:rolleyes:

Whichever you choose, GOOD LUCK! Remember, no decision is ever really a wrong decision. We do the best we can at any given time, with what we know at that time. Nothing is ever lost, we always learn form each and every experience. I'm sure you will decide wisely and enjoy your nursing career!

Cheers,

Grace

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Hi Vanessa - I don't know what state you are in but consolidation/experience and all that is best gained through a FYP or BP year - there are a number of different names but getting into a program where a hospital employs you and then has you rotate through different locations is one of the best ways to gain exposure and begin to identify where your nursing preferences lie. I am a CNE for Central Coast Health in NSW and we have a new grad program that has 5 rotations of 10 week blocks - med/surg/rehab&aged care/peads/ed/mental health/ot - not every new grad sees every area but at least you get a range of experiences. You need to be a good general nurse before you become a advanced practice nurse in a given area.... give yourself time - 12months rotations, 12 months in a specialty - then if you still enjoy the specialty look to postgrad work (ie grad certs, honours, masters - whaterever you like - there are lots of options)

Cheers and good luck

Peter

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Hi Vanessa - I don't know what state you are in but consolidation/experience and all that is best gained through a FYP or BP year - there are a number of different names but getting into a program where a hospital employs you and then has you rotate through different locations is one of the best ways to gain exposure and begin to identify where your nursing preferences lie. I am a CNE for Central Coast Health in NSW and we have a new grad program that has 5 rotations of 10 week blocks - med/surg/rehab&aged care/peads/ed/mental health/ot - not every new grad sees every area but at least you get a range of experiences. You need to be a good general nurse before you become a advanced practice nurse in a given area.... give yourself time - 12months rotations, 12 months in a specialty - then if you still enjoy the specialty look to postgrad work (ie grad certs, honours, masters - whaterever you like - there are lots of options)

Cheers and good luck

Peter

Hi Peter

I live in Queensland. After much reflection I have decided to apply for a general nursing graduate program once I am able to. I agree that experiencing rotations in different areas of nursing is the best option for me, then I will look around and specialize. I believe that it is too early for me to make a decision when all I see is snapshots when on praxis.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my thread....

Cheers

Vanessa

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