Do you usually stay in the specialty you start out in?

Nurses General Nursing

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A teacher in nursing school once to me in nursing school, "where you start is where you usually stay". Is this generally true? How long have you been in your specialty? Is this your initial specialty or did you transfer?

Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Not true! Most seasoned nurses have a number of specialties under their belt. I am a new grad in Psych but I hope to eventually work in the ER.

Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

I have been a nurse for 31 years; out of those 31 years, I stayed in Med Surg (Surgical ICU, PACU) for 28 years. I left that specialty because I had had enough with regard to hospital politics, and the lack of support from the powers that be. Although I don't like the term "burnt out," it sums it up for me. I do miss it, but not enough to return to the constant "rat race," where the rats are winning.

I have stayed in Peds but my original plans weren't for peds at all. When I interviewed something clicked and when I started doing it I found that I really love it. I'm going for my NP now so I think I'll be with peds the majority of my nursing life. One nice thing is that I could work in another area if I wanted to (and on bad days I dream about it) but the rewards from peds are so nice. When I was working yesterday and it was not a good day a family whose son I had taken care of through his ALL (he's okay now) came by with a picture of him and me. I was so touched that they brought this picture for me and even more touched when they said they have it in their house too. It's those moments that make you pause and realize that this job with all of its stresses, crappy staffing, and complicated patients is something that makes your life so much richer. I teared up a little too!

True for many nurses, but not all. There are many factors that influence

staying or leaving a specialty. I found that having many different specialties

under my belt helped me stay employed even in lean times.

What ever you do, make sure it is a specialty you enjoy!

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