What specialty do you want and not want to work in?

Nursing Students General Students

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I saw this thread started on another thread for people that are already nurses and I figured it'd be fun to just do it for student nurses as well.

What specialy do I want to work in? I really wanna do either Pediatric or Mother Baby/L&D.

What specialty would I never want to work in? I think LTC, it just isn't for me.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Want: any kind of peds, adult oncology, ER

Don't want: surgery, flight nursing

I'm terrified of helicopters and the sound of bone saws causes me to have a panic attack.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
Want: any kind of peds, adult oncology, ER

Don't want: surgery, flight nursing

I'm terrified of helicopters and the sound of bone saws causes me to have a panic attack.

Flight nursing is a competitive speciality that requires YEARS of experience (often more than 7 years in ED and/or ICU).

Also, in the ED, there's a fabulous tool called an IO device. When it works, it's a beautiful thing to get access directly through the bone and into the marrow. When it doesn't work, you get to hand punch it through the bone until you feel the "pop". But it's really easy to pop through both sides of the bone and completely lose vascular access in that location.

Just a heads up if bone saws scare you to the point of panic attacks.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Want: Cardiac

Don't want: ED, LTC

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Want: Peds, L/D, NICU, PICU, etc

Don't want: geriatrics, LTC

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Want: OB, peds, psych, oncology, ICU

Don't want: LTC (although I enjoy working LTC as a CNA, it's just not what I'm looking for as a career).

Honestly, though...I'm pretty much going to take what I get when I graduate - and if that means somewhere I'm not to crazy about, at least I'll have a nursing job and can use it as a stepping stone to get where I want to be.

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Want: ICU, NICU, PICU, Oncology

Don't want: ED, L&D, LTC

But, of course, I will gladly take what I'm offered! :-)

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Want: OR, PACU, Psych, Forensics, Dialysis

Maybe: ER, ICU, MedSurg/Tele, SNF

Don't want: L&D, Pedi, LTC, Geri, Oncology

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I always thought that I wanted to work in the ER or ICU, but this past May my mother was diagnosed with NH Lymphoma. After spending a lot of time in the infusion centers and oncology offices, I now know where my heart belongs. I am already taking the steps to do my preceptorship in my local hospitals brand new Cancer treatment center.

The only areas I don't want to work is Peds, LTC and OB. Everything else is fair game.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Also, in the ED, there's a fabulous tool called an IO device. When it works, it's a beautiful thing to get access directly through the bone and into the marrow. When it doesn't work, you get to hand punch it through the bone until you feel the "pop". But it's really easy to pop through both sides of the bone and completely lose vascular access in that location.

Just a heads up if bone saws scare you to the point of panic attacks.

I got to see one of those when I shadowed in the ER. Much to my surprise it didn't bother me. However they had to knock me out to take my braces off and I had to walk out of an autopsy observation and both of these were before the ER experience. So either I'm over the grinding sound or something about an emergency situation makes the uncomfortable feeling go away.

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Specializes in Psych.

I ultimately want to work in ICU (i'm an adrenaline junkie!!) or hospice or OR, and I originally said no OB or anything along those lines!!! But I had a great interview on the OB floor (LDR, etc) & actually am really excited about it. I have unofficially been offered a position there (as well as another facility!) so ya just never know! :)

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Specializes in Psych.

I am the same way, ChrisMarie! Maybe it's the adrenaline ;)

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I want to work in pediatrics, L & D, home health, dialysis, cardiac, ICU, med-surg, PACU, or even in surgery itself.

DO NOT: Pulmonary, ER. I am scared to death of the fast pace. Maybe if I had a 5 years of nursing experience under my belt it would be different.

If you're not into Pulmonary or fast paced, steer clear of ICU. I work as a nursing assistant in ICU and we do a ton of emergency intubation at the bedside, 90% of our patients are mechanically ventilated, and everything is always go go go. I absolutely love the fast pace of it all! It makes those 12 hour shifts fly by. I'm keeping my fingers crossed to have a position offered to me in December when I graduate.

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