when do you declare a specialty

Published

when do you declare a specialty- can you do it as an rn with a 2 year or do you have to have a bachelors

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I've worked for 15 years as an RN and have never declared a specialty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Lots of nurses don't declare anything, they just work in a certain area a lot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have "specialty tags" on my permit but those are for advanced skills for LPNs. I have worked on units that are considered "specialty areas" but never had to declare it to anyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been an RN for over 10 years and have tried a lot of things out. I don't know if I will ever "specialize". Maybe if I am 100% certain I will never leave that job? That is the good thing about nursing though. If you don't like one thing, you can go into something completely different and back again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MDS/Office.

Many nurses work without declaring a specialty.

Most nurses I know, work by default. :cool:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ok- thanks guys!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU.

Today by golly! I'm declaring myself special!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

in this market the specialty declares you lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I have my OCN, so I guess I can declare myself oncology specialized, but I'm not really sure what you mean by "declaring a specialty."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care.

I don't think any of the previous posters mentioned these options:

Many programs (BSN, not sure about ASN or diploma) have an internship your final semester. Generally, you get to choose the specialty you want to do your internship in.

Once you are working as an RN and you think you have found your "niche," you can work toward becoming certified in a specialty. Generally, you need X hours of work experience in that specialty (ex. 2 years full time), possibly continuing education courses, and you must pass the certifying exam.

Then you could be, for example, BS9421, RN-BC (board certified by the ANCC) or BS9421, CCRN (critical care certification from AACN).

Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ktliz, that's EXACTLY what I was lookin for- thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion