What kind of nurse are you?

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. I work in a... (Feel free to comment unit and personal experiences)

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How are you using your nursing education?

What do you do for a living (If you are simply a nurse, tell me about the unit), and do you enjoy it?

I plan to start a BSN program in the fall and am just curious to hear what those with experiance in the field have chosen for themselves.

Personally, with no experiance to base this off, I believe I would enjoy surgical, dermatology, and pediatric units.

Bonus round: Tell me why I might not enjoy the units I listed.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Why you may NOT enjoy those units... Okay! ;)

Surgical: Depends, do you want to work IN the OR? On on an actual unit

taking care of post surgical patients? OR, I know practically zilch about;

the only thing I know is that I don't think I could work alongside some

doctors, so closely. Especially general surgeons. Post surgical unit can

be hectic busy and physically demanding, especially with orthopedic

patients.

Pediatrics: you gotta deal with angry, nervous, picky parents.

Dermatology unit: Don't think there is such a thing. Most

dermatology is done on an outpatient basis, or right in the

office. You may see some reconstructive work on a post

surgical unit.

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Appreciate NurseCard's observations.

I work in a hospital.

Don't "love it," but I work with some good, kind people and I think together we make a difference for our patients.

I work in Cardiology: Cath Lab, Stress Lab, and Case Management (shared with other nurses).

We RNs work closely with the Cardiologists and Cardiology Fellows.

Previously, I worked 21 years as a Radiology Nurse (yes there are some out there!). VERY interesting field for nurses! Procedure-driven (and it wasn't just administering moderate sedation. We helped set up, scrubbed in to assist, maintained inventory, performed patient teaching and pre-and post-procedure assessments...) and such a variety of cases. Lots to learn. Worked closely with the Radiologists and Rad. Techs.

Any area you find yourself interested in, do your research. Ask questions of the persons who work there. What is the environment. The patient ratio. Managerial and colleague support.

Will you be on call? If so, how often? What is the call pay and requirements (most cath labs require you report within 30 min of being called in)?

And don't be afraid to change, if you feel the chosen area turns out not to be a good "fit" for you.

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I'm a cave nurse...I don't understand these things!!

School Nurse...until the curtain falls.

Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Dermatology unit: Don't think there is such a thing. Most

dermatology is done on an outpatient basis, or right in the

office. You may see some reconstructive work on a post

surgical unit.

Yes we have an IP derm unit. Shares a ward with immunology and ID (!). They often admit patients who have horrific eczema requiring bleach baths and some DB patients as well as joint admissions with both immunology or ID.

I'm sorry, maybe I should have specified my interest in dermatology would be in an outpatient clinic/Dr office. Also, my interest in surgery would be in the OR. I don't expect to be so lucky as a new grad getting either position, as I know both require relevant experiance.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
Dermatology unit: Don't think there is such a thing. Most

dermatology is done on an outpatient basis, or right in the

office. You may see some reconstructive work on a post

surgical unit.

Yes we have an IP derm unit. Shares a ward with immunology and ID (!). They often admit patients who have horrific eczema requiring bleach baths and some DB patients as well as joint admissions with both immunology or ID.

Ah! Cool...

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
How are you using your nursing education?

I've gotten a year to a few years experience here and there, but always ended up back in psych. Instead of telling you the boring details, Atelophobia, I'll just say that I didn't pick psych- psych picked me.

When I was young, and before I became a nurse, I worked with a younger population as an attendant for the developmentally delayed, as a houseparent for troubled teen-aged boys, and as a Head Start teacher's aid.

Now, on the autumn of my career, I work with a geriatric psych population.

The thing I enjoy most about my job is that I assist others in their therapeutic regimen and I am good at what I do. I was adequate as an OR, Med Surge, ER nurse, but for one reason or another, didn't stay with it long enough to consider myself "good".

I know psych and I'm good at it.

I believe I would enjoy surgical

I worked in surgery at WRTH (Weed Rover Township Hospital) as an LPN scrub nurse in 1986 and 87 and loved it. I went to St. Anomaly's Health Center in 1991 as a RN scrub/circulating nurse and disliked it intensely.

The staff made all the difference. I got along extremely well with the staff at WRTH but not so at St. A's.

Whatever you choose to do, Atelophobia, I wish you the very best!

Specializes in Neuroscience.

I work in neurosurgery, but also have neurology, trauma, GI, and vascular patients. While I'm specialized in the brain (Which was my least favorite part in nursing school, go figure) I get to work with other patient populations as well.

So neurosurgery doesn't mean I'm there when they are cutting into the brain...well...almost. I'm not in surgery, but I do get to help with some brain procedures performed at bedside. My patients are a little bit crazy, restraints are used far more often than any other service, and I have to help families understand what is happening. I see seizures, traumatic brain injury, strokes, patient's with externalized shunts, internalized shunts, lots of missing skull caps, fluid leaking out of the nose and ear, and brainstorming.

I rarely see my patient's improve because they are off to rehab the moment they can participate. I answer a lot of questions for the family, and I feel I make a difference.

I hated the brain in nursing school, but I absolutely love what I do. I did not actively seek out neurosurgery. I was offered a job in neurosurgery, cardiac, or med surg after applying for around 40 jobs. Neurosurgery choose me, and you may find that your specialty chooses you.

Best of luck in nursing school!

Specializes in Hematology-oncology.

I began my nursing career as a new grad on a post-op general surgery unit. It was fast paced and I learned a LOT. I did like the fact that many surgical problems felt "fixable"...at least much more so than chronic readmissions on many medical floors for yet another CHF exacerbation or DKA episode.

My mentor on the surgical unit transferred to pediatrics around my 1 year anniversary mark, and I decided to follow her. Most nurses either love or hate pediatrics. I loved it, and, when asked (which happens more than you would think), will admit that I do miss it at times. I stayed on the pediatric surgical/trauma/orthopedics unit for 6 years. Things I loved about pediatrics--the variety (caring for a 3 week old in one room and a 16 year old next door), the almost universal optimism of kids, their honesty, their sense of humor, their resiliency. Things I didn't like--non-accidental trauma. It didn't happen often, but often enough to give me a heavy heart. Overbearing parents didn't happen as often as you would think either, but they could occasionally be a bit much, especially if they had a medical background. What was worse were kids who would be in the hospital for a week + (cystic fibrosis for example) with no parents to be seen. I did get to watch those kids grow and develop over my 6 years on that unit which was special.

I ended up leaving that position to move across the country. I languished on a general med-surg unit for 5 years. I wasn't passionate about the patient population, but my co-workers kicked butt, and my manager supported my schooling 100% (I was in a RN to BSN program). Sometimes managers are what's most important, and it was what I needed at that point in my life.

Lesson[/hr]: if you find a golden manager, think twice, or 3 times, about moving on to greener pastures.

With graduation behind me, I decided it was time to find a field I could specialize in for the remainder of my 25 odd years before retirement. After much soul searching, shadowing on various units at my hospital, and talking to fellow nurses, I chose to transfer to Hematology-oncology. I can honestly say that I am passionate about my patients, and look forward to going to work each day.

All that is to say that my perfect job will probably not be your perfect job. And just because you are hired on a unit as a new grad doesn't mean you have to stay there permanently. As you learn and grow your goals/priorities may shift. The beautiful thing about nursing is that we have SO much variety to choose from. Best of luck!!!

Lesson: if you find a golden manager, think twice, or 3 times, about moving on to greener pastures.

The staff made all the difference.

I work in a hospital.

Don't "love it," but I work with some good, kind people and I think together we make a difference for our patients.

I see a common pattern. I guess it goes without saying that any job can be wonderful, or awful, depending on the people you are surrounded by. Thank you all for your insights and experiences that you have shared. I really didn't expect to read any stories and decide, "Oh! This is definitely for me!", and I was right. Just like some of you have said: I will find my niche, or it will find me.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Orthopedic nurse. LOVE it.

How I use my education? I precept, I am certified in my specialty and also the diabetes expert for my unit (I have 2 type 1 kids)

I would LOVE a golden manager

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