Did you choose your specialty area or did it choose you?

[Zookeeper44, RN]

I suppose I am going through the same thing thousands of other nursing students have, but I am not sure what area I would like to work in upon graduation. I thought that I knew that I knew that I knew what I wanted to do but I am having more and more misgivings about it for reasons that are beyond my control.

I have a few areas in mind that I *think* I would be well-suited for, and some of which my clinical instructor has even recommended me for. Do you apply to anything and everything and take what sounds best??? I am afraid if I do not sound assertive as to what specialty I would like to work in during the application/interviewing process, it will look bad, i.e. indecisive.

I am thinking about my personality, personal abilities & attributes, strengths/weaknesses, etc. when considering areas but not sure any of this really matter. For example, I am very analytical and think this would benefit me in critical care.

I want to be a bedside nurse, if it matters...not particularly interested in management at this point. And I will be almost 47 when I graduate, so the area I end up accepting a job in may very well be the one I stay in.

Any thoughts as to the process of approaching this decision...???