Which field of nursing is the most technically hard?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm thinking either ER or ICU since both fields require continuing education. What, in your experience, is the hardest nursing field?

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Ah, like TNCC, ACLS, PALS, etc? Yes, different areas may require stuff like that. Doesn't make it "harder." It's just a job requirement, like some employers require a BSN, 2 years experience in the same type of nursing, etc.). LTC may have a lower barrier to entry, but skilled LTC nurses have mad assessment skills, can deal with ridiculous families, artfully manage psych and dementia, and have time management skills that simply boggle the mind.

(You still need, most likely, continuing education hours in your state to maintain your license. Check with your BON.).

I think this is what you must have meant, OP. There are certifications like ACLS that are required in several fields of nursing. And different places will differ in the requirements - for instance, you might find a hospital that doesn't require a certification for the same floor which WOULD require it at a different hospital. And, like another post said, ICU at some hospitals might as well be the general floor at other hospitals. There are just so many different factors. For what its worth though, many of these certifications, like ACLS, are more of a box to check than any real feat to accomplish. I hope that you find a field to work in that you really enjoy, regardless of the number of certifications required!

I would take this question as meaning which fields have the most use of technology and require learning of those particular skills? If that's the case some areas that come to mind include critical care (working with various lines, CRRT, vents, etc), dialysis (although my only experience was a shadow day), and perhaps some OR stuff like being an RNFA? I base that solely due to the additional skills required for those unique specialties. There is probably other specialties that I have no experience with that likely have a high technical aspect to it as well.

Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.
I would take this question as meaning which fields have the most use of technology and require learning of those particular skills? If that's the case some areas that come to mind include critical care (working with various lines, CRRT, vents, etc), dialysis (although my only experience was a shadow day), and perhaps some OR stuff like being an RNFA? I base that solely due to the additional skills required for those unique specialties. There is probably other specialties that I have no experience with that likely have a high technical aspect to it as well.

Agreed. I work in long term care and the patients are stable. It's not very hard like the knowledge and technical skills needed to work as a critical care nurse.

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I would take this question as meaning which fields have the most use of technology and require learning of those particular skills? If that's the case some areas that come to mind include critical care (working with various lines, CRRT, vents, etc), dialysis (although my only experience was a shadow day), and perhaps some OR stuff like being an RNFA? I base that solely due to the additional skills required for those unique specialties. There is probably other specialties that I have no experience with that likely have a high technical aspect to it as well.

Ooh ooh or ECMO team!

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
I'm thinking either ER or ICU since both fields require continuing education. What, in your experience, is the hardest nursing field?

All areas require continuing education if you want to be any good as a nurse.

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
Hard as in the specialty that requires the most amount of critical thinking and the field of nursing which has the fastest pace.

I have care of 36 hospital level patients. This includes delivering medications for all of those four times a way.

The pace is very fast. Many of my patients have multiple medical morbidities, we have palliative patients who are for end of life care. The other week I arrived on shift to start my med round, I had a patient who was crashing, had to contact the family to find out their treatment wishes, contact the doctor to get some medications charted, and no one else was passing my medications for me.

Gerontology requires a huge amount of crititcal thinking as do all areas of nursing if you want to be any good at your job

Our er requires 9 certs to maintain employment along with a number of competencies to be completed monthly.

Dont comment on how hard tncc is if you dont have the cert.

Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
I would take this question as meaning which fields have the most use of technology and require learning of those particular skills? If that's the case some areas that come to mind include critical care (working with various lines, CRRT, vents, etc), dialysis (although my only experience was a shadow day), and perhaps some OR stuff like being an RNFA? I base that solely due to the additional skills required for those unique specialties. There is probably other specialties that I have no experience with that likely have a high technical aspect to it as well.

I took it the same way and I was thinking a CVICU setting. I know the one at the hospital near me uses every drip, line and tube! (As well as ECMO).

I'm almost 25. I want to try out the hardest type of nursing to challenge myself.

Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
Our er requires 9 certs to maintain employment along with a number of competencies to be completed monthly.

Dont comment on how hard tncc is if you dont have the cert.

Ummmm...where did anyone comment on it?

I feel like someone just needed to beat on their chest and relieve themselves...

It it might not float your fancy that the TNCC classes at my level I trauma hospital are open to anyone...even the Med-Surg nurses...so what exactly was the point of your post?

Specializes in Peds, Neuro, Orthopedics.

In my area, OR nursing requires 6 months of training: 3 months classroom, 3 months preceptorship. I can't think of another form of nursing that requires more up-front training before practicing.

I'm almost 25. I want to try out the hardest type of nursing to challenge myself.

So what do you figure you will do?

+ Add a Comment