Do you know which area you want to work in?

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I'm just wondering how many people have already decided on which area you want to work in. Why? Do you already have experience there? Have you already done clinical there?

As for me, I am planning on working either as a cardiac RN or an ED RN. I LOVED the cardiac floor at our hospital. I still get the excitement of the ED, but with some stability. But, I've worked as a EMT for a year and a half, and love the ED. I am an adrenalin junkie!!! I think my decision will have to do with what hospital I end up working at. -Andrea

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Critical Care. Either MICU/SICU OR TNICU. I'm working in a Transitional Trauma Unit and will float to TNICU PRN. This will give me a good idea whether I want TNICU OR M/SICU.

I've wanted critical care for a long time, but have kept an open mind while in school. I definitely do NOT WANT to work med/surg.

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Specializes in MICU, CVICU.

MICU/SICU or CVICU then onto CRNA. If for some reason that doesn't work or I change my mind then pedi and onto PNP. But definitely some sort of APN. I've done two semesters in med/surg and I know that it's not for me.

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Specializes in Peds Heme/Onc.

I want to work in PEDS when I graduate. I just finished up clinical there and worked there as a student nurse intern this past summer and I absolutely loved it. Only one semester left!!

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I want to be a psychiatric nurse. I've just started this fall and have never worked or done clinicals there, but I know this is what I want to do.:nurse:

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.

When I started school I was sure that I would end up in the ED. As clinical rotations went on, I fell in love progressively with each area that I worked in. Eventually, as I finished 3rd semester and went into 4th with no clear direction, I began to panic. Everyone continued to ask me where I wanted to work, and I couldn't answer them and time was running out!!!!

As I continued to thinik about it, certain things began to come clear. I found out that I DID NOT want to work in the ED. It is a wonderful area, but I found that I really enjoyed developing a relationship with my patients, and there is just not enough time for that in the ED. I knew that I really liked pt education, and I liked working with critical patients, but ICU was out because generally the pts are too sick to teach or interact with much. I also knew that I wasn't really fond of GI or GU patients (too many excretions, secretions, and GI bleeds are really nasty)...... I don't have the heart for pediatrics, or rather I have too soft of a heart......

I started to realize that I was making decisions based on exclusion, and that is all right. By realizing what I DIDN't want to do, I was able to narrow the options down to what I did. My preceptorship 4th semester was in a critical telemetry unit for post heart/lung transplants. The patients were out of the ICU, and were either fighting rejection, or were recovering and learning how to deal with the meds that they would be taking for the rest of their lives. While the workload was immense, I was drawn to this area because it had the teaching and patient interaction that I was looking for. I will start work in this unit in Feb, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

I guess what I am saying is that you shouldn't be afraid if you haven't made a firm decision, and more power to you if you fall in love with more than one area, it will only hold options open for you in the future. (I would love to work in oncology someday, the patients are amazing). Keep your options open, because it may be that last rotation that seals your decision, and don't be afraid to look past the area that may have originally brought you to nursing because you never know what you may find along the way.

Peace everyone, happy holidays and New Years

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.

I'll finish LVN school this May and more than likely stay at the LTC I currently work in. I know (and love) the residents, the flow of things and they are really good with working around school. I'll stay there while I do the LVN-RN bridge.

After I get my RN I plan on working Med/Surg. I loved my rotation there because you're always learning something and it's never slow. Last semester we rotated to every floor (except maternity) and Med/Surg was what I loved.

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Specializes in ER.

Well, I have changed my mind about 20 times since starting school, but right now I am fired up about (and planning to work in) NICU or SCN. I think it is hilarious, because the one thing I was SURE I DID NOT want to do was work with babies, espcially tiny ones....scared the heck out of me.

The first time I gave an injection to a baby I thought I would pass out.....'till I realized I ticked her off more by holding her leg still then giving her the injection! :chuckle .

Then came the rotation through SCN, and I just loved every minute. The nurses were great, the families were great, the babies were great....I loved learning about the unique physiology and health problems of neonates. It is an area that mixes the high-tech (which I LOVE) with the absolute basics, as well as patient education. It seems like the perfect blend for me. Turns out I am also very comfortable dealing with the babies, after getting over the idea that I don't want to hurt them.

But, ask me what I want to do this time next year, when it is almost time to graduate..... :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I think I will love L&D or NICU. I have wanted to do L&D since I had by first son 13 years ago. When my boys were younger, I worked as a Unit Secretary on L&D/ Post-Partunm, SCN and newborn nursery an I loved it.

I recently did a rotation through PACU and enjoyed it, too.

So many options!

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I think that I want to eventually work L&D although I WILL probably start on Med Surg

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Specializes in LPN.

Never never never in LTC.

I have worked in cardiac step down for 5 years while a new nurse. I loved it. But of course didn't have the responsibility of a cardiac nurse. But I am studying for my RN now and would eventually like to specialize in that. I know it can get very intense at time.

Not ER, if cardiac units can get intense, the ER can be quite nuts. No Thanks.

Again I will say, never ever ever again LTC care.

I am working in a subacute unit, still many LTC pts there, but the pace is quicker and the pts usually more orientated. The level of acuity higher. But I miss hospital nursing and all those lovely free inservices.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

My goal is to be a CNM, so far I'm still wanting to go to L&D although I've only done LTC clinicals so far. Psych & med-surg coming this semester :)

I don't have L&D experience but I have done things in related topics (I'm a breastfeeding counselor & plan on sitting the IBCLC board exam in July; I also took a childbirth educator course although I didn't start teaching because I decided to go to nursing school instead...so slightly related work).

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