How to figure out what field of nursing to go into..

[Curly1965]

Hey everyone,

My name is JoAnn, I am currently in college and finishing up my prerequisites. I am planning on transferring to a nursing program for my RN here in New Jersey, and then going to work on my BSN after that is done.

I am not quite sure how to decide on what field of nursing to go into. I do know that I like to work with children.

Does anyone have any guidance on how to figure this out and also does it require a special course? I appreciate all of your help. :)

[Sour Lemon]

This question comes up a lot and the answer is always the same. Apply for everything and see who calls back. As a new graduate, you may not have much of a choice.

When you actually get into nursing school and/or actually start working as a nurse, you'll have clinical experiences that will help you pinpoint your strongest interests. Keep in mind that most people who need nursing care are adults, so pediatrics may be a more difficult field to break into depending on how competitive the market in your area is.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Go into nursing school with an open mind and see which area appeals to you. Like Sour Lemon said, the peds unit at most hospitals are small because children are sick less often. If you want peds., then you need to get a job at a children's hospital.

[verene, MSN]

Part of going through nursing school is being exposed to different areas of nursing and learning your own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes when it comes to nursing. Once you are through school you should have some ideas of areas that interest you or don't interest you.