Do you know which area you want to work in?

[Aneroo]

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

[LauraLou]

I am thinking of working in pediatrics or mother/baby. I had a fabulous rotation in peds, especially pediatric intensive care. I work as an extern in postpartum and really enjoy working with new mothers and their babies. I did really well last semester which covered maternal/newborn/pediatrics, so I think these are the areas I am strongest in.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

Going into my third semester, I still have no clue. My clinical instructors have told me they see me in critical care. L&D was something I enjoyed so that is in the running. Postpartum didn't interest me in the least. Med/Surg seems too demanding with its high patient/nurse ratios. This semester I'll get a taste of peds. So far, I know I don't know enough to make the call.

[CNMtobe2012]

My number one choice would be L & D. I hope to continue to become a midwife after a few years of experience. If by some chance (very slim) I happen to fall out of love with L & D I would choose peds, nicu, or mother/baby.:)

[Chad_KY_SRNA]

I find myself drawn to the emergency department. I will probably end up somewhere in ER or critical care. I have also dreamed of working at a local vocational school as the school nurse / health sciences instructor.

[TexasTac]

Just finished my first semester and KNOW I do not want to work Med/Surg. I figure I'll just go through the program and hopefully will find an area I want to specialize in. Is this how it normally works for everyone?

[Averykat]

Right now I think PACU, but I'll probably change my mind a few hundred times!

-Kate

[RedSox33RN]

I want to work on an oncology unit. At a cancer clinic. I would also work on an oncology palliative ward. I can hardly wait! Getting closer and closer!

My first clinical rotation, last semester, was on an Onc/Palliative unit. I really thought it would be horrible and depressing, and boy, was I WRONG! I LOVED it. LOVED IT. I met the most amazing patients, learned so much from the super nurses and other personnel that work on that floor - just overall, it was the best experience. I never thought I would've considered something like that, but now, I would love a career there.

I would also consider Med/Surg for a year or so, but would love to get into some area of critical care, probably the ED.

[bluejasmine]

I am just about to start my course, (BN, and B Rural Health Practise), and while I am absolutely awed by the amount of information I am going to consume and retain in the next 4 yrs, I have my sights set firmly on Emergency. After that, Royal Flying Doctors, and after that Medecins Sans Frontieres. :)

[manna, BSN, RN]

Medecins Sans Frontieres. :)

Just curious about what this is? :)

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

Doctors Without Borders in french :)

[Reesa23]

I'm curious why alot of people are saying no med surg. I've been a tech for 10 years now. Nursing homes, hospice, Dr's offices and now hospitals. Never again will I ever work in a nursing home. I don't agree with how patients/residents get treated so I won't support that atmosphere. Hospice was way too depressing. But I loved the familys. Thats where I really learned about dying. Dr's offices are fun because you get close to your coworkers and all the drug rep give aways and no bed pans. And no Sundays.(Hey, I'm being honest) But the benifits and pay there doesn't touch the hospitals by a long shot. My true happiness has been at the hospital. I worked my last 5 years as a float tech in a level 1 trauma hospital. I loved it. I know Peds isn't for me. Kids just aren't for me. I figure theirs enough people that want that area and the ones who get it are always complaining their unit is full of adults. They never seemed happy. (I never worked in the NICU). My best friend is an ICU nurse and shes travel nursing in California now (has been the last 3 years) and she can't say enough good things about the ICU. She says its the only area of nursing in the hospital that has gov't mandated staffing ratios. I said but aren't you afraid all the drips, and the machines? She said theirs always other nurses all over to help out. Which is true because I teched in the ICU and the nurses were always working on their patients as teams. I know I'll do my year on tele or med/surg to start but then after that it's straight to the ER or to ICU for me. Then it's an open door for me.

[not now, RN]

I'm curious why alot of people are saying no med surg.

I asked a nurse this once during clinicals. She told me " Med/surg isn't glamourous. There are no TV shows about that department."