What is a challenging specialty

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I'm not sure how to start this off without sounding so freaking arrogant or something so I do apologize if I come off in a way that sounds like I think I'm too good or better than others - I do not.

I get bored very easily, and need to be challenged and need to keep challenging myself. I am that "high IQ" person. I am that person who was told by all the nurses and teachers who get to know me that "you are too smart". When I told one of my teachers I was accepted in an internship on a medical-surgical floor she scowled and I asked "what is that not good?" and she said "someone with your IQ should be in a more challenging area". Now that I'm finished with my internship, I think that it had been good for me. I learned how to manage my time. But still, it was only when I had done everything the nurse would do (under supervision) of 6 patients plus one admission and one discharge and 2 very difficult patients that I really was excited by the experience, of constant going from one task to another, and felt challenged where I had to make "nursing judgements". (in quotes because I am not a nurse yet).

I was sure that I would go into psychiatric NP. Then I wondered if I'd get bored. And I also wondered if that's what I should do because I did like the patient population on the medical surgical floor so much (I liked the variety)

So I have an interview for a residency program where I am to tell them the area that I would like to specialize in. They set it up so that I would be on that unit for 6 months, and then another 6 months would be experiencing different areas, while in the residency.

I also want to apply to graduate schools, and can't decide what program.

I'm sure there are a lot out there like me! Can you tell me what specialty you are happy working in please?

TIA

I'm really surprised. When I clicked on this in curiosity I just assumed everyone's reply would be to get your doctorate in a CRNA program.

Thank you, @operations. Your answer helped me see things from different perspective. I wrote down your answer and will share it with my friend. Also thank you, @direw0lf, for posting the spot-on, well-put question. Cheers.

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I always tell my kids that boredom is a reflection of the person, not the situation. You can find something to keep you challenged in just about any setting. (except maybe, as my kids have pointed out, working in a factory putting the toothpaste cap on tubes- but even then, someone has to do it). I think you need to find the area of specialty that you would enjoy and you'll automatically find a way to grow and learn in it. You've had some really smart people answer you here and look where they are- ICU, midwife, floor nurses, etc. There's no smart nurse specialty. Smart people are everywhere, and they're smart in part because they've learned what will make them happy and play to their strengths. The great thing about nursing is those opportunities are out there- hope you find yours.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I'm not sure how to start this off without sounding so freaking arrogant or something so I do apologize if I come off in a way that sounds like I think I'm too good or better than others - I do not.

I get bored very easily, and need to be challenged and need to keep challenging myself. I am that "high IQ" person. I am that person who was told by all the nurses and teachers who get to know me that "you are too smart". When I told one of my teachers I was accepted in an internship on a medical-surgical floor she scowled and I asked "what is that not good?" and she said "someone with your IQ should be in a more challenging area". Now that I'm finished with my internship, I think that it had been good for me. I learned how to manage my time. But still, it was only when I had done everything the nurse would do (under supervision) of 6 patients plus one admission and one discharge and 2 very difficult patients that I really was excited by the experience, of constant going from one task to another, and felt challenged where I had to make "nursing judgements". (in quotes because I am not a nurse yet).

I was sure that I would go into psychiatric NP. Then I wondered if I'd get bored. And I also wondered if that's what I should do because I did like the patient population on the medical surgical floor so much (I liked the variety)

So I have an interview for a residency program where I am to tell them the area that I would like to specialize in. They set it up so that I would be on that unit for 6 months, and then another 6 months would be experiencing different areas, while in the residency.

I also want to apply to graduate schools, and can't decide what program.

I'm sure there are a lot out there like me! Can you tell me what specialty you are happy working in please?

TIA

I personally love being a psych nurse. It is challenging especially when presented with the medically compromised psych patient and no two days are alike. I am currently finishing my BSN with the ultimate goal of becoming a MHNP. However I have been warned that I might become bored with MHNP as the focus of practice shifts more towards medication management. Still like other nurses here have said al specialties offer different challenges.

Hppy

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