How Do You Choose?

Rapheal · Dec 30, 2003

Some of my former classmates were so sure of where they wanted to go, but not me. I am currently in med/surg but feel that I would like to go into NICU. Sometimes it just takes time to figure out what you want. And if you don't- you may work different units over time till you find your niche. Good luck in school.

rn711 · Feb 26, 2004

This is my dilemma; I have no idea what area of nursing I want to specialize in. I find almost all of it fascinating. Whatever I'm doing at the time is what I like the most.
I'm still in school & I have plenty of time to decide. It just makes me wonder when I hear other students who have always known that they wanted to work in ER, or NICU, or Med/Surg. Arethere other nurses out there like me? Does everyone else know where they belong?

Don't leave out psych or correctional nursing. Keep an open mind.

SICU Queen · Feb 26, 2004

I'm ruling out psych and correctional nursing... after 11 years I STILL know these are not areas for me... :imbar

More power to the nurses that can work those areas. You're special people.

scudmissile · Jul 26, 2004

:chuckle keep OR in mind too!!

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

You should have a good year of med-surg under your belt before you try to specialize in anything. A good basic med-surg knowledge will be helpful to you whatever you do. By then you will have a better idea of what you might like. I worked as a "student nurse" my last year of school, way back in 1972-3 and I knew then I did not ever want to work on a general duty floor again, and after 30 years I still have not. I am thankful there are those out there who do, and leave me to work in the ER. I have worked in ER, ICU (all kinds), PACU, dialysis, home health, house supervisor, infection control, education, agency and as a traveller. You don't have to limit yourself to one speciality for the rest of your life. That is the beauty of nursing. In most jobs if you move around a lot you are considered a job hopper, in nursing you are considered well rounded! I worked at one hospital 13 years but had a variety of positions while there. So, relax, get some experience and other opportunites will present themselves.

elkpark · Jul 27, 2004

Many of your peers who are so "sure" now of what they want to do will end up doing something else entirely later on! :)

It may well be that you'll identify an area that esp. interests you by the time you finish and get licensed. The suggestion to get some solid med-surg experience before you specialize is a good one. Also, there's no rule that you have to prefer one specialty. One of the great things about nursing is the flexibility and incredible range of employment options/opportunities! Some nurses really enjoy working in lots of different clinical areas over time. Or, it may be that you will decide on jobs based on location or work hours or benefits or pay, which is perfectly fine.

There's nothing at all wrong with not having a particular area of interest within nursing early on.