Did you already know that area of nursing you wanted to be in before graduation?

Published

When you were in nursing school, did you already know what area of nursing you wanted to work in before you got your adn/bsn? And how did you decided what area you wanted to work in?

thanks.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I was the nursing student who had NO IDEA of where I wanted to be (all of my friends had their favorite places...) My first fews shifts of my critical care rotation, I was totally freaked out by patients on vents and drips...

But then, my instructor (who I think knows me better than I know myself) put me in the CCU/CVICU for my preceptorship. In those 9 shifts, I found my true calling - I love critical care!!

However, I'm applying anywhere & everywhere I can for a job, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a critical care position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

NO! I graduated a few weeks ago and everyone I talk to about nursing feels compelled to ask me this question and I feel like an idiot trying to answer them!!!! :uhoh3:

I liked my ICU, CCU clinical experiences the best, however, the hospital I want to work at will not hire new grads into either of those areas or into the ER. I've accepted a position in med-surg on a busy unit at this hospital to get my foot in the door. Since I don't know 100%, I figure I'll either learn to love it, or I'll transition into another area after I can apply with the required "one year of nursing experience" that human resources assured me was really a requirement for the positions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

Similar to other posters, I remember doing a first year clinical placement in LTC, and thinking, "I would never want LTC." Lol. My first and current job is LTC and I love it. I'm now taking a course in Geriatrics. So you never know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My grades, clinical assessments and especially my board scores all pointed out surgical nursing as my area to do well in.

Never worked in an OR, but I've done med-surg and ICU, and outpt. surgery. I STILL feel most comfortable with post-op pt.s, but a pure surgical ward is a thing of the past. But I have managed to include it in a variety of situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg/ tele.

My mother (parents are both nurses) gave me great advice when in I graduated. She told me to not be afraid to try any specialty that I had the opportunity to. I took that advice and ran with it. I've done just about everything and surprisingly found my niche. I have quiet a few jobs on my resume and they were all worth it. Just don't get stuck in something that you don't love and stay there...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Well, when I first started NS, I just had to do Pedi! (I worked as a nurse tech in a Pedi clinic and in the ER, majority of the time although I floated throughout different specialties) then I wanted to do Pedi ER. Then I got too emotionally hung up on *really* sick kids and possible abuse cases. So after taking Pediatrics In school I decided that for my emotional health, Pedi wasn't the best for me. Then I fell in love with adult critical care. ADORED the ER, but did not want to even touch the ICU, honestly (seemed way too structured and boring to me at the time).... so I was sooo psyched at hopefully working at an ER, only to get called for a position for an ICU position...out of all possible places, Lol. But being that I applied to 60+ jobs, only to get this one call back (and they hired me) I was willing to take what I can get! Now that I'm getting ready to start soon, I'm actually becoming excited to work in the ICU. I mean it's still critical care, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always knew I wanted to do acute care and I always thought I would work in an ED however, I am now a Cardiac ICU nurse and I love it- would have never thought cardiac would be where I end up :-) The wonderful thing about nursing though, is, you can always change your mind and try other things :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Primary Care and ICU.

Age 15 (yes 15) I started the Lpn program ,(offered through my high school ) graduated at 17 became an Lpn same year on my 18th birthday, became RN at 20 ; and knew at age 14 when I signed up in high school to even start my career in nursing that icu was my goal - and I love every day of it almost ten years later. :) critical care rocks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

The two specialities I'm most interested in, are the ones that most people wouldn't touch with a 10 foot poll.

.....I want to work in either Geriatrics and/or Psych. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

In nursing school i LOVED our maternity rotation, loved the clinical aspect of being a L&D nurse, etc. I always hated being in the nursing homes, especially with dementia patients. Well here I am working in a nursing home on a dementia unit. I actually love it. Didn't think I would but I have developed such great relationships with my residents. As I continue to further my education I still wouldn't mind ending up in a L&D one day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Starting school I was interested in Peds, LDRP, and ER. Found out I haded peds (at the local hospital anyway). Got a job in ER right out of school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I was always partial to peds, but after graduation I was really open to anything and applied to hundreds of different nursing jobs. I volunteered in peds while I waited to get hired. Well, 10 months after graduation, still not hired anywhere, but on my way to a pediatric nurse practitioner program... we'll see what work I end up doing when I'm done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion