How do you choose a specialty??

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I've been in med-surg for 3 years (my anniversary date for passing the NCLEX is 8-10-07)...anyway, I think I'm ready to move on, but I'm having a difficult time deciding which specialty to go into.

I've considered OR nursing, PACU, ER, home health, going to school longer.I really don't know what to do. Any suggestions to how a proper choice can be made?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Urg Care, LTC, Rehab.

I think you've got to trust your gut. Is there one area that appeals to you? or that you understand more? If you don't feel any 'pulling' yet, maybe you need to stay put where you are until something tugs at you.

I've been med/surg for 4 years. I always thought I'd stay just a year or two and then specialize. And then the recession hit, and I'm nervous to make a move due to job insecurity. I like giving chemo, and I like taking care of post-ops, but I still like the variety of med/surg..... so I stay....

Good luck in finding a specialty!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Why does everyone think you need to move on from Med Surg to a speciality. MED SURG IS A SPECIALITY! M/S nurses can run circles around critical care nurses, intensive care nurses, ER nurses, etc. Who else can manage 7 telemetry patients, get them ready for surgery, do teaching, prepare them for D/C, monitor test/lab results, etc. I'm tired of others looking at Med Surg as a stepping stone. I've been a M/S RN for 18 years and am very happy with my choice!

Thanks for letting me vent!

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