can't decide where to start in nsg

Published

I am at the time to begin applying for my first RN position, but I have no clue where I want to start... still. Everyone said that after clinicals you would know. I don't. I liked peds, but I am not very stong in knowledge of peds and I feel I would be "stuck" in peds if I ended up wanting to change later down the road b/c kids are so different than adults. ER sounds fun. I love the elderly. Demetia interests me. I love to be busy. I want a good skill base. I am open to any shifts any time. I am interested in hospice at some point. Oncology is a possible interest. I just don't know what to apply for. Do you all have any suggestions? Med-surg is the only thing I can think of since I am so unsure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

My experience is when I finished clinicals, I was still clueless. Then I thought back where I had a good clinical/educational experience and what I wanted.

with me, I wanted to work with the elderly, wanted to get up to snuff on my skills and wanted a hospital setting.

I lucked out because the hospital we did our majority of clinicals has an large elderly population. I enjoyed the pace of this particular med surg/step down tele floor and was lucky enough to get a wonderful preceptor. I've been there since graduation (5/06) and haven't regretted it once. There are times that we're absolutely nuts and this particular unit is referred to as the 'train wreck' and I'm thriving there.

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care.

Apply to them all! Then weigh the pro's and con's of each job offer considering pay, benefits, travel time, shifts you will be working and what will make you the most happy. Good luck and congrats!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I love the elderly.
If you love the elderly, you may wish to consider rehabilitation nursing. I did rehab for 2 years, but recently resigned from that position for a myriad of scrambled reasons.

I worked on a rehab unit at a nursing home, but it was structured much like a free-standing rehabilitation hospital. On this particular unit, we dealt with many central lines, IV antibiotics, CPM machines, feeding tubes, suture removal, surgical staple removal, complicated wound care, ostomy appliances, diabetic management, casts, braces, splints, cervical halos, and so forth.

Most of my patients were elderly and had recently underwent surgical procedures such as laminectomies, knee and hip arthroplasties (joint replacements), kyphoplasties, CABGs, hysterectomies, limb amputations, colectomies, thromboembolectomies, and abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

The non-surgical patients were typically admitted to our unit for recovery from CVAs, acute MIs, debility, various cancers, fractures, status post pneumonia, deconditioned states, failure to thrive, status post falls, generalized weakness, and other afflictions.

Rehab was a physical and emotional challenge for me, but I'm assured you would have the learning experience of your life!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion