How did you find the area of nursing that you love (or at least like)?

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I'm just curious to find out how people fell into their area of specialty. How did you know that's what you wanted to do? I have only been a nurse for 3 years. I worked for a year on a Med/Surg floor, which I hated. Then I did a year in the ER. I loved it at first, but near the end my ER became very poorly staffed and I became concerned that something bad was going to happen. I entered an OR nurse training program 9 months ago, because I thought OR nursing seemed interesting and something I might enjoy (and the lack of weekends, holidays, and nights appealed to me). However, I don't really think it's for me. I don't dislike it, but I actually miss patient contact (which I never thought I would) and giving meds, etc. And I'm tired of walking around on eggshells waiting for the surgeons to explode. But I hesitate to switch to another position yet again. Looking at my resume it appears that I only stay at jobs for 1 year then move on;)

But I really want to love what I do. Lately, all I do is complain about nursing and how I wish I hadn't gone back to school to do it. And I'm tired of listening to me complain! So, how did you decide what you wanted to do?

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, Long Term,Ortho.

Trial and Error. You try a speciality and if you don't like it try another. That's the good thing about nursing.

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

When I applied for my first job the nurse recruiter called me up and asked me what specialty area I would like. I had no idea so I said, where do you need help the most? She said-neuro, we need ICU, Stepdown or MS-neuro, so I said...how bout ICU. Ive been in the neuro ICU for about 6 months and I abs. love it. I guess ive been extremely lucky in my nursing career. I dont want to ever leave at this point!

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I am in a similar situation. I have only been a nurse for 6 months and am afraid that I chose the wrong profession. I doubted my career choice in school, but chalked it up to being a student and all that comes with the lack of experience/confidence...Now, I work on a telemetry floor and still don't like it. Some days are better than others, but overall, I don't feel like this is the job that I could love and be passionate about and commit myself to forever. I have read a few books on Forensic nursing and have thought about school nursing...We'll see. I think it would help to take a look at what made you choose nursing and try to get closer to that ideal you had so long ago. Good luck, I hope you find what you are looking for!

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

when I was unsure i took an agency job and did a variety of different places....and learned what i didnt care for. I then "fell" into a great job and career focus by networking with other nurses..although i no longer work at a facility i still work with the same population (dev disablilities, if you couldnt tell by my name) and love it...the options are huge, and the salary is lousy,compared to hospitals, but the rewards in caring for God's specially chosen ones far outweighs the financial! Best of luck in finding your niche...it is out there, it is sometimes just elusive t ill you are ready!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I thought I'd end up an CVICU or STICU nurse when I graduated, and HATED my peds rotation in school, often swearing I'd never do it. I spent a few days of my senior practicum in my hospital's NICU, and loved it. I was able to secure the last remaining position at the time before graduation... I crosstrained to the PICU of my own will, because it was a new unit and if I had to float within Women's & Children's, I wanted to be prepared. I briefly transferred to the ER (2 months) but dreadfully missed the critical care and my kids and babies. I'm back, LOVE IT, and plan on continuing to work during grad school where I'll be studying for my Neonatal NP with a subspecialty in Pediatric Acute Care.....

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Specializes in Intensive Care and Cardiology.

I had an internship between my LPN and RN year at a local hospital. The internship was in ICU, but you would also get to job shadow once a week in a different unit in the hospital. I got to see every speciality, it was awesome! It also helped to be able to let pt.'s know what to expect (for example if going to the cath lab or something like that).

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