How far should I further my education?

[ccarda]

Considering the disadvantages of monetary expenses and a longer education, do you think specializing in a certain field is more beneficial than becoming a general RN? What made you nurses decide whether to continue your education, or stop?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Thank you so much for all of your contribution!

I'll first start off by saying that when I mentioned "general RN" I was just referring to the typical nurse in any hospital that isn't specialized in a certain field.

In the US, nurses start out as a generalist nurse; I think that the generalist goes on to work in a specialized area-LTC Med-Surg, Home Health, Clinic and Correctional Nursing are a few of MANY specialties within themselves and out there in nursing; I am singling out these particular specialties because it seems that people tend to be hyper focused to "higher" acute care when there is a wide nursing world outside of that arena.

When I become a nurse, I know I will specialize into a certain field because I want to learn more and get more out of the job (educationally, not monetarily). I want to be educated in a particular area. I'm thinking about heading toward GYN, midwifery, oncology, peds, or maybe psychiatric? I'm just so indecisive.

When you leave school, depending on ones ability to mobilize and the market, your "specialty" may be one of the ones I stated above; one may take years to get into those positions, I have learned in my experience that each position I have accepted and worked in helped to build upon my practice.

I mentioned the question about furthering your education or stopping, because I feel that if you've already come this far, why not specialize? After that, why not become a practitioner? Why not become a doctor even?!

Also, I'd like to say that I didn't mean to put a "general" nurse In a bad lighting, or make them seem less educated at all. I just didn't know the exact title to type!

Most nurses go on to specialize in their chosen "specialty"; there are certifications available for Med-Surg, Peds, Psych, Emergency Nursing, Oncology, Critical Care, Perioperative, and Matenity; a lot of nurses become board certified.

Do any of you have any suggestions on how I can get experience in the different fields I mentioned so that I'll be able to make a better decision on which direction I'd like to go?

If I obtain my CNA license over the summer, what will that allow me to do in the hospitals? I know some of my friends have already gotten theirs, but I'm not sure what their duties are.

I can only suggest that you apply for those positions as a CNA and see if you can land a position; on the other hand, psych employs individuals who have completed and have documented proof in completion of psych courses, at least in my area.

I will also suggest shadowing nurses in those different fields, as well as browsing the different forums here and asking questions that may help in determining what specialty you are interested in.

Best wishes.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I started at the ADN level, continued working on my BSN as soon as I finished my ADN and then years passed before I did my MSN. I truly believe continuing my education is just a part of nursing. Plus, I wanted to achieve more than what I was doing. Guess what??? I am a bedside nurse. There is nothing wrong with being a bedside nurse with a MSN. Isn't the bedside where you can make the most impact?? Isn't the bedside where you see how patients react to their illness and what is being done to improve their circumstances?? I most likely will not be going on for a Doctorate, because I feel satisfied with my MSN and hope that I will find a position in patient education. Isn't taking care of patients what it is all about???

[ccarda]

Thank you everyone for all the information! Iv'e learned a lot that I was unaware of. I am in my first year of the nursing program so I'm not very knowledgeable about what the normal plans are after graduation in three years or what I am able to do once I have my degree.

In response to "isn't taking care of patients what it's all about", that is true! I do want to help and take care of my patients. But I want to be interested in the field I am in. All nurses are equally important, no matter which type you are. I just know i'll enjoy the job more in a specialized field.