How did you choose your field?

nicudaynurse · Mar 7, 2003

When I was in nursing school I already knew I wanted to work with kids or babies. I had no interest in adult care. I ended up in the NICU and I love it. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. My feeling is whatever area that you are in it is an area that you are proud to say that you work in.

Usually the decision comes down to if you want:

Adults/kids/babies

Critical care/intermediate/stable

Acute/chronic

Hospital/clinic

excitement/calm

What areas did you enjoy in school? If you aren't sure and you want to work with adults Med/Surg would probably be your best bet so you can see a wide variety of patients.

Good Luck!!

NsgTiger · Mar 7, 2003

I think I really want to work with kids/baby's. But it is the family members that make me nervous, especially as a new grad with no experience. nicudaynurse, did you go straight into the nicu? If so, was it really stressful being a new grad in that setting?

Rena RN 2003, RN · Mar 7, 2003

i didn't choose my area per se, it "chose" me. :chuckle the day i walked into that first ER rotation, i loved it. but i still thought i wanted to be in the OR. my second rotation in the ER came around and i had many more skills i could practice from school. and i LOVED it much more. i never intended to be in nursing for the money but i wanted to always be able to find a job that paid enough to put food on the table. during my last ER rotation, it ceased being about the security or money. i knew i was headed for the ER even if i had to pay them to let me be there. :chuckle

NsgTiger · Mar 7, 2003

well, I wish an area would jump out and choose me! Maybe when I go into the ER I'll love it too.

altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN · Mar 7, 2003

don't fret...you'll go to an interview or sit back and think of your rotations and say "thats it" (okay hopefully) I work medicine...I always thought I would go into L/D, but a friend of mine worked on the step down ICU and I figured I would at least interview.....It's a hard floor and most nurses don't stay....(only me and two others from when i started)...but needless to say I am still there 5yrs later....

Think of what you really were into during school, or fascinated you about a patient or two..then do some investigation and ask around....if at first you don't succeed in finding your spot...that's what is great about nursing, you can always move on to another area!!!:)

NsgTiger · Mar 7, 2003

altomga...what has kept you working medicine for so long? i always hear horror stories....when i did my adult I rotation, one of the nurses sat me down and said "you don't ever want to end up where I am, it's awful". The med/surg nurses seem particularly overworked and stressed out....how do you do it?

panda_181 · Mar 7, 2003

Well....

If you don't need a full time position, you can become casual....I work casual between Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Maternity. Yes, it takes longer to become comfortable in the units since you're not there as often, but it's great to get to know all the different nurses and to move around all the time. Or, if there is a a float position available you can snatch that one up. That will give you benefits and paid vacation and all that jazz. This was you can find where you like...

Or another suggestion...pick up on all the temporary positions in various units and work those...

Amanda :)

CCURN · Mar 7, 2003

I started out on a telemetry unit, where I stayed for a year and a half. I always wanted to do CCU/ICU nursing, but wasnt sure that it was for me or the right time. After Tele, I took the leap to ICU and love it. One to one nursing is great. I feel that there is less burn out.

I have also tried my hat at rehab, med surg

and nursing homes.

The thing I love about my job, is when you get real busy and your patient suddenly gets real interesting (crumping). I know it sounds morbid, but its then that things get more challenging. I also like going to codes, for the experience mainly. The whole code thing is sad and nasty, but someone has to do it.

Disablednurse · Mar 7, 2003

My field chose me. When I was in school, I went thru the geriactric at the local nursing home and swore that I would never work in the nursing home. When I finished school, the only jobs available were in the local nursing home. I applied there and was hired. I loved it from the moment I entered on my first day on the job. I tried working in the hospital, but that was not for me. You will know what you should do, just give it time.

nicudaynurse · Mar 8, 2003

Hey Nsg Tiger,

Yes I did go into the NICU right after graduation. I went through a 4 month internship. Yes it was stressful because there was so much to learn, but I made it and have no regrets. The key is to get a patient and kind preceptor who will take an interest in you.

Maybe you could shadow an RN in the NICU and/or pediatrics and see if it something that you would enjoy.

NsgTiger · Mar 8, 2003

Thanks nicudaynurse. i love to hear that i really don't HAVE to do med/surg first. i know that i want to end up in critical care. i just want to know that it can be done successfully as a new grad!