changing specialties

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

I worked several.

LOVED it.

Flaky? I don't think so.

There are soooooo many things I learned in one specialty that applied to another that people who've never ventured out go...."wow"...

It's awesome.

I've never been one to sit still (ADD). The only thing I've not done is L & D.

I also teach--I think when I get up in my years that will be the last before retirement.

The worst part about changing frequently? You usually end up getting a not-so-good shift, but it pays off in the end.

I've found that when I get comfortable in one arena, it's time to move on. I get bored easily.

Next? Advanced practice.....

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

I came to nursing late in life, but have spent 3 years Med/Surg, 5 years Ortho practice, now 5 years Ambulatory Surgery Center. I was amazed at first how skills kept accruing, building on each other even as I moved around. But now I realize it happens across the spectrum of nursing jobs.

I have never known of an employer who disapproved of a history of a wide range of experience.

tewdles, RN · Oct 31, 2009

you have to stay until you are comfortable. until you feel that you have mastered the vast majority of the nursing skill sets in that specialty...then expand on that or do a 180...

Flaky...nah...just a recipe to avoid burn out and to find new ways to love nursing.

adpiRN · Oct 31, 2009

thanks for the replies.

JoPACURN - how long did you spend in each job?

I've heard nurse managers don't like it when nurses leave a job before a full year (especially their first job). Would you say that's accurate?

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2009

thanks for the replies.
JoPACURN - how long did you spend in each job?
I've heard nurse managers don't like it when nurses leave a job before a full year (especially their first job). Would you say that's accurate?

I worked the M/Surg floor with cardiac telemetry when I was a new grad. I did that for about 2 years. I moved to ICU. Our unit houses MI,SI, CVI, CCU--we needed to do all of them and we were able to switch around so that we never burnt out. If you got sick of MICU, you moved to CVICU for a month. So I learned a lot--especially there were so many sick people with lots of co-morbids. This was all before I had kids--so I also learned the ER and Trauma when I wanted to do extra. I ended up working both units and floating. It was a GREAT experience and I was totally into all of the hardest and sickest cases. After that when my kids were really young, I taught in an educational capacity---ACLS, PALS, BLS, Critical Care Courses. It was a great learning experience except for the extra work at home. I still work with the ICU group and on occasion when I want extra I work the post CABG unit. Since I'd been at this hospital for a long time and recovered the sicker patients, I ended up floating to the Recovery room (where I am presently). When I got bored with education, I decided to learn the NICU. That was a total hospital switch as the other specialties were all in one hospital. I learned Level 2 and Level 3 for about 3 years. When the RR had a great opening/schedule, I went there.

And there I stay so far...like it because there are times when it is really busy and times when it isn't. I still teach 4 hours here, there...I can float where I want....I've been there for 17 1/2 years so a lot of people know me.

I loved the different areas I've been in because I have learned so much and sooooo many things can be used in other areas.

You are correct about the one year thing---especially if you plan on staying in the same hospital.

Many people stay in one place because they become "comfortable." Or they get the perfect schedule and don't want to go forward....just remember that you can learn so much and to go for what you want.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 1, 2009

I worked cardiac surgery PCU for 15 months after graduation, then switched to labor and delivery/antepartum.

it was like being a new grad all over again!! I knew how to start an IV, do an assessment, insert a catheter...thats about it! labor and delivery is a whole new game. I've certainly learned a lot that would be useful elsewhere. Gotten used to a lot of screaming and bleeding, too. Way more blood and screaming here than in cardiology. Been here little over 3 years now.

I think if you stay at least a year, thats okay to move on. various experiences are great, help you figure out what you want, and give you more experience to discuss in a futre interview, and make you more likely to have had relevent experience to whatever job you decide you want in the future.