Hi guys, I am a 25 year old senior nursing student beginning my final semester. I am overwhelmed at the moment and seeking advice. I have been a long time lurker but decided maybe getting involved in the boards would connect me with other students dealing with the same dilemmas and stresses. Yesterday, we were handed a sheet and told to put our top 3 choices for our capstone. After a lot of back and forth I chose 1) medical 2) icu-stepdown 3) surgical. I admit, I don't want to work med/surg but I feel that it's something I need more experience in prior to graduating. Part of me wants to do peds, OB, or NICU (I didn't get to witness a birth in my OB rotation and am still a little salty over it), but I also know that I probably won't get the experience I need in any of these to bring it all together. I also know that because census is usually low in the NICU, and nurses are VERY protective over their infants, students don't get to practice a whole lot of autonomy or practical skills. I have yet to start an IV, insert a foley, and a variety of other small tasks, and we aren't aloud to insert IV's in infants and children. I KNOW these skills are important. Part of me also wants to pick the above areas because I am terrified and know that peds and OB, at least in our hospital, are a bit more laid back. I'm torn between doing what I think I need (but don't want) and what I want (but might not get the experience I need). I am also anxiety ridden and terrified for whatever reason I won't pass my capstone if I pick the area I am most lacking in. There are other areas like ICU, ED, OR, and Rehab but my teacher has already said she has people in mind for these. I am an excellent student, and haven't have a single complaint in any of my clinical experiences from preceptors, but my professor tends to pick favorites and I am not one of them so I haven't had a lot of feedback about where she would place me.
I am just feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed as my education nears it's end. Most of my fellow classmates have always known what they want to specialize in (most ICU or ED) but I am not one of them, I am more open but this makes choosing my capstone location more difficult. I am also trying to remind myself that my capstone doesn't define my future career, and I am still free to pursue any specialty one I graduate! Help!
Med-surg is a great option and may be a big help when you take the NCLEX. Specialty areas are just that and the focus will be on the speciality, so med surg is a little of everything. I am almost amazed when people say they do not like med surg, honestly, all other speciality areas are based out of med surg.
suni, BSN, RN
477 Posts
Med-surg is a great option and may be a big help when you take the NCLEX. Specialty areas are just that and the focus will be on the speciality, so med surg is a little of everything. I am almost amazed when people say they do not like med surg, honestly, all other speciality areas are based out of med surg.