A Question About Specialties

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · May 29, 2014

Hopefully you will be exposed some of the different units and you will "click" with one. I knew when I did it that I did not want ED, ICU/PICU/MICU/SICU/NICU or L&D. That left the med/surg specialties. I fell into ortho and I love it. I have also spent some time in urology/gyne onc/plastics med surg. I like that too. You will find what you feel comfortable with as you go. I swore I wanted peds and that changed in a hurry with witnessing a child in distress. Couldn't do it on a regular basis.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · May 29, 2014

Most new grads start out pretty level on the playing field. Apply to fields that interest you. If you can't get a job there, start where you can and after a year of experience keep applying in fields you're interested in. One you get a job, you'll get on the job training. Typically, clinical and classroom orientation, and usually have people, such as the charge nurse and educators, that you can go to with questions. Once you're comfortable and experienced you can start looking into certifications. Pretty much every specialty has their certification and their requirements to sit for the exam. I have my OCN (oncology certified nurse). I had to prove my experience, and take an exam. Now to maintain it I need to prove I've done so many oncology related CEU's. I can now say I'm Blondy, MSN, RN, OCN. My hospital offered an OCN review class which is helpful. It certainly makes you more marketable. There are tons of certifications out there. I also have ACLS and the ONS chemo/biotherapy provider cards.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 29, 2014

How long does it take to specialize in something?

It depends on the complexity of the specialty, as well as the demand to enter the specialty. Some specialties (read: med/surg, ortho, geriatric/LTC, prison/correctional nursing, psych, physical rehab, etc) can be entered almost immediately due to low demand, and therefore, do not take terribly long to specialize.

Other sought-after specialties (emergency nursing, critical care, labor & delivery, pediatrics, surgery/OR, etc) can take quite a while to enter due to high demand, and therefore, can take somewhat longer to specialize. Also, one can increase one's chances of breaking into these sought-after specialties by obtaining certification.

For instance, I am a nurse in acute rehabilitation. If I wanted, I could obtain certification in rehabilitation nursing to become a CRRN (certified rehabilitation registered nurse). My name would be signed TheCommuter, RN, CRRN. However, since I am not certified, my specialty is not attached to my title in any shape, form or fashion.