How did you change?

Nola009 · Jun 13, 2014

I thought I would work on a med surg unit, and I work in a LTC facility. It's a harsh reality that I've had to accept.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

When you started nursing school did you see yourself working on a specific floor/unit?

I saw myself working in long term care (a.k.a. nursing homes) from the start. I enjoyed the slower pace, routinized care, and lack of acuity. I do not perform well in high stress situations. I enjoyed the fact that the LTC nurses were able to leave the facility for lunch. I liked that LTC nurses didn't see doctors on a daily basis.

Did that change as soon as you finished nursing school and started to work?

Nope. I worked in nursing homes for approximately six years after getting licensed. I am now in acute physical rehabilitation, but I am gearing up to return to the nursing home setting within the next month.

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I wanted to work in a hospital, but I was prepared to work anywhere I had to in order to pay the mortgage. I was fortunate to get a hospital med surg gig that I really like.

Delicate Flower · Jun 13, 2014

I had to try many different specialties and acuity levels (all acute care in hospitals though). After about a year in one unit, I would start to get restless and itch for something "new." I did in-hospital transfers, travel nursing, and moved to different facilities (when I relocated). Then I discovered float pool nursing. A great way to get my fix and a little extra pay too!

I think I'm somewhat of a rare ICU/CCRN nurse who actually enjoys med surg and stepdown too.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I thought I would LOVE OB and found I would rather clean horse stalls than deal with OB. The thought of ICU terrified me and I found it was my "calling" to have very sick patients and unpredictability

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

Thought I wanted peds until I witnessed a child in acute respiratory distress during my capstone. Knew that as a parent I would not be able to handle that kind of stress everyday. Got my first job in a rehab unit and fell in love with ortho. Now am an ortho nurse and love it. Didn't think I would because of an extensive ortho history, but it actually helped.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I was open to variety...I ended up doing acute rehab, Peds private duty and home health visits, chart reviews for CMS, and LTC. Some Stepdown during Agency nursing.

I've always had two jobs, sometimes in two different specialties...I'm not sure I'll ever stop wanting flexibility in my career; I'm one of those nurses who loves a "float position"...If I reenter acute care, that's where I'm aiming...or maybe not...

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I was aware that as a new grad in a time of high unemployment and a slow economy, I would work where I could I find a job. It was med-surg. I knew it wasn't my long term plan, but I learned a lot in that year.

I sort of ended up in ICU. I wanted OR, but the nurse recruiter said those jobs were for internal candidates, but maybe she could offer me my pick of units and transfer later. Fifteen years later, I just haven't gotten around for any transfers.

ICURN3020 · Jun 13, 2014

I always knew through school I wanted a fast-paced environment with more critical patients. I planned to work in ER or ICU. I started in ICU and have been there ever since! I have thought about cross-training to ER as I don't want to completely leave the ICU.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I always knew through school I wanted a fast-paced environment with more critical patients. I planned to work in ER or ICU. I started in ICU and have been there ever since! I have thought about cross-training to ER as I don't want to completely leave the ICU.

cross train it's worth it. I have always done both. It makes you very marketable!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jun 13, 2014

I thought I wanted to be a peds nurse. Just shoot me!