Choosing a specialty advice

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Hello everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I'm nearing the end of my nursing program and need to submit a "dream sheet" (specialties/hospitals where I would like to intern- hopefully leading to a first position).

A little about me:

I have a speech impediment and am not always fluent. When having a conversation with my peers I'm fluent 75-100 percent of the time, but if I'm nervous or having a bad day it can drop down to 40-50 percent. I already know my first few months working is going to be really difficult, but I used to be a waitress so I know I will get through it (too stubborn to quit). I've been in speech therapy for the better part 27 years- I've found the best therapy for me is work.

I'm having trouble deciding where I want to specialize due to my speech impediment. I don't want to disappoint any of the staff who will be working with me or put a patient in harms way. I feel like I've been describing a lot of my negative attributes :) Positives: I have a B.S. in Psychology.I've been told I'm always positive and likeable (and work hard to be that way- nothing worse than having a speech impediment AND a bad personality). I work hard and am a team player. It also takes a lot to upset me- no thin skin here.

If I were to describe my dream job: Midnights, overtime available once I learned the job, not a lot of time spent on the phone (I know there's no avoiding it). I've enjoyed labor and delivery, oncology, OR, heart hospital, pretty much everything with the exclusion of med surg (I enjoyed a lot of the skills I learned in med surg clinical, but it wasn't for me).

Are there any nursing specialties that aren't very well known? Any specialties where I may thrive? Any where my B.S. degree would be useful? Ultimately, I'd like to go back to school for a masters- but one thing at a time.

Thank you ahead of time.

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Specializes in Peds.

You may find working nightshift is for you. The pace is a little slower, and there are less family and doctors around the unit to add stress. I would avoid working in any type of dr. office or clinics, because you will spend a TON of time on the phone. (I worked at an urgent care clinic for a few months, and was always on the phone, and didn't feel like a nurse anymore).

If you want something related to your B.S. in psychology, maybe try oncology... I'm sure patients would need support on an emotional level more than some. Psych nursing however would probably be very stressful, I do know nurses who like it, but I think you have to have a certain type of passion towards psych nursing to enjoy it (who knows, maybe you would like it).

Women's services seems to have a lower staff turnover than other units. L&D or mother/baby are happy units, but a lot of times they like people to have experience first. You might try NICU... I've heard they like to get new grads so that they can train them from the beginning before they learn habits somewhere else. NICU might be good with your speech impediment actually, because most of the time you're caring for babies, and they may limit family members coming in...

Anyway, just some thoughts, hope it helps!

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This was great advice, reading your post lessened my anxiety and I have a few ideas. Thank you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Any critical care area including NICU will require clear concise communication to other staff members in the care of these patients. The OR may be an option for there is little communication amongst the staff during procedures. Nights is a good option for there is minimal communication except to your peers. But you will still need to contact MD/hospitalists for patient needs and in an emergency able to convey clear concise picture of the patients condition.

Many specialty ares require a couple of years med-surg experience before you are considered in a position. The job market is very tight right now and is very competitive.

Maybe you are over sensitive about your impediment for you have gotten through nursing school OK haven't you? I wish you the best.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

NICU isn't a silent place like a lot think. You are constantly talking to someone and not just feeding babies. You are talking to staff, medical staff, parents....giving updates in person and on the phone, dealing with visitors, etc. Sorry for the rant, but people always assume we are

Just baby feeders lol . Have you been to speech therapy as an adult? One of our attending a has a stutter that is very pronounced when he is worked up. He did see a therapist when he was a fellow and it did help him a lot.

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Specializes in Peds.

I don't think there is any type of nursing that is a silent place... any, including NICU or med/surg, or women's services, or clinics. Whatever the type of nursing, there will always be communication with family, fellow staff, doctor's etc.

Am I right when I say "fewer" family members are allowed in the NICU? I'm sure it varies from hospital to hospital... In mother/baby it may not be critical, but there are a lot of family members... sometimes 15 in a room at one time. I am aware that NICU is not just "baby feeders" for staff... just like some people feel that mother/baby nurses are just "waitresses" serving Tylenol and water.

NICU nurses are awesome, and have a tough job... wasn't trying to sound like they didn't do much, just trying to compare different areas of nursing related to her questions.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Each unit is different, but they can have unlimited visitor between 11a and 11p. Only three at the bedside, but it is like a revolving door all day long. And you are entertaining most of the day lol

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Thank you for your input, I genuinely appreciate it. I'm not really interested in NICU or ICU. And I'm not looking for silent nursing, I am capable of communicating- it's just sometimes not as fluently as I'd like. I wanted to know where I may find a best fit. In my area, new grads are able to find jobs in specialty positions- med surg is not our only option.

Again, thank you!

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Well I am like you, most likely. I have a speech impediment and have been a nurse since 2001. My background is labor and delivery, obstetrics & gynecology, Prenatal community health, etc. I never did med surg outside of nursing clinicals...mainly because I knew I didn't want to work with men. And like you, I have my good speaking days and my bad ones. But I don't let it stop me. I have been charge nurse of a high risk labor & delivery OR and OR Clinical Coordinator at an IVF office. I am currently sending out applications to become a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

If you have the heart to believe in what you want to do, then your mind will follow. Go for the stars my friend...I am!

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