How to decied what to specialize in?

green34 · Sep 12, 2013

I think it is more important to go into the school with an open mind. Too many people swear they will only work labor and delivery, ER, ICU, peds, etc and then they learn they hate it or they are unable to get a job in that field. I'd personally move towards experiencing each semester for what it is and the on start to work towards your goals after you graduate. Keep your experiences diversified.

Stephalump · Sep 12, 2013

I think that constant questions comes from people's confusion about our education (we're generalists....we specialize in everything while we're in school) and the old job market. You could basically walk into whatever specialty you wanted and make a career out of it until you decided to do something new. No problem.

Now, thanks to the job market, you go where you get a job. As you learn about different areas and go through clinicals you'll find things you like and don't like, and maybe you'll find something you LOVE, but maybe not. And you can network and hope extra hard that you'll get an interview in the specialty you think you'll like, but really...you can't be picky if you don't want to be on AN a year after graduation complaining that you still don't have a job.

So you might specialize in long term care because you have to, and then move onto Med-Surg because you were finally given a chance. Or you might find what you love in school and walk right into it when you graduate and do it forever.

Who knows? I think it's better not to come in with a narrow view of what you want, because you can experience all your clinical areas with a fresh viewpoint. I think not knowing is ok :)

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

As a first semester nursing student, don't make up your mind on this, especially since you're not all that sure to begin with.

Wait until you've been in a couple clinical settings. Go and just experience the real world of nursing first. I thought for sure I'd end up in the ER or ICU, but I ended up working Oncology and then outpatient with intentions to go inpatient again to NICU once my service is up. Go where 1) the job is and 2) your interest draws you. And be both aware and accepting of the fact that both of those factors will probably change!

Vmyracle · Sep 12, 2013

When you go through nursing school you will get to experience many different areas you could potentially specialize in. You will probably change your mind a few times :) Good luck