How did you change?

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Just a question for all nurses out there:

When you started nursing school did you see yourself working on a specific floor/unit? Did that change as soon as you finished nursing school and started to work?

Please describe your experience.

Hello!

All throughout nursing school I envisioned myself in OB. Unfortunately, I could only get a ltc position and I absolutely hated it! After 4 months I was offered a position for a nurse residency program at a community hospital and chose the OB track! It was great until 8 months in I realized that I don't really like soothing laboring women nor do I like sick babies. So I was on to the next... And the OR was calling! I absolutely love the OR! It is such a fun environment and the rush during traumas is so exciting! I do want to advance my career and gain acute care nursing experience so I am currently looking for an ICU job! The great thing about nursing is there are so many different routes and something for everybody!

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Wow these are very interesting to read! Keep posting please :)

Not quite an RN yet - I just graduated and though I am crossing my fingers for a hospital job, I am expecting to start in home health or LTC, which is just fine. From the beginning I've wanted to become an ER or ICU nurse. Now I'm also thinking I want to travel, and maybe in the future go back to school for APN in ER/ICU or go the CRNA route! It'll be fun to see where I actually wind up :)

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I thought I would want to be an ICU nurse. My first job was a post-op unit with step-down beds. After 2 years there I realized that I like my patients awake and connected to as few lines as possible. Now I work with GYN/Onc surgery patients and I love it. We get a little of the hospice side too because we end up seeing the same women over and over. That can be a challenge, but the connections that are formed with patients, families, and staff are incredible.

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I wanted to work in the NICU or L&D. I was lucky to get hired in the NICU right out of nursing school. I've been there ever since and absolutely love it! I couldn't see myself anywhere else.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Perinatal, Endoscopy, IVF Lab.

When I was in nursing school I was mesmerized by OB. I just KNEW I wanted to do L&D but there were no jobs when I graduated so you took what you could get. I knew I DIDN'T want Peds or anything dealing with kids. I was well known in my class as the no-kids nurse. So I took a job in Med Surg Float which was awesome because I learned how to be a nurse and ALL the various specialties. I became a "jack of all trades" kind of thing. Well, I floated to the Pediatrics floor (which I begged them not to make me do) and LOVED it. I have since transferred to Perinatal Float Pool and do Mother/Baby, Antepartum, NICU, and I still pick up on my favorite Peds floor. Who would have thought? Keep an open mind... I still haven't gotten to L&D yet, but still aspire too. I have found a lot of things I DON'T want to do... but nothing yet that I think I want to do forever.... to be continued.

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Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.

I wanted to work Oncology since I rotated there during school. I've worked on 2 Hem Onc floors in the 7 years since I became a nurse. I initially wanted to work NICU but immediately knew it wasn't for me during my school rotation. I considered hospice for awhile but never did it. I would like to volunteer for perinatal bereavement down the road and plan on more school for FNP eventually.

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What a great thread! I will be starting nursing school soon and plan to go in with an open mind. I have worked as a medical assistant in OB/Gyn for a few years and absolutely fell in love with OB. I am about to get a part time job in Oncology, so we will see how that goes!

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