How did you find your specialty??

it is hard to make a decision without experience. I started out in Pedi because I had friends there. Then I chose Education because I love learning and teaching. One sort of bled into the other

I was working in a Recovery/PACU unit. They were building a High Dependancy Unit next door. Before it opened, I popped to have a look. All clean and fresh and new!

Got the job, but that unit rapidly turned into a busy surgical ICU. And decades later, on the other side of the world, that is the specialty where I remain.

I found my specialty because it was something that effected my family. I didn't expect to work in it, though. What I wanted to work in had no openings and there were openings where I ended up.

A second specialty was something I said I'd never work in. I thought it would be a real pain in the neck. Again, that's where the job was. As it turned out, I loved it.

So, make a personal survey of what interested you in nursing school....and NEVER say never.

I started off in ortho just because I did not want to work med surg and ortho was keen to hire me so I went there. I never loved it. After my first child was born, I realized the lack of lactation support in my area, and I ended up getting into that speciality. It wasn't a planned career move at the time, but 7 years later, it has worked very well for me and I love what I do.

I started in Telemetry because that is the closest to cardiac care that I could get in the hospital where I did clinicals -- I was very comfortable there already, and didn't want to add to the huge first-year learning curve. Anything r/t cardiac was just thrilling to me in nursing school and I felt I couldn't go wrong -- enough med/surg on my floor to get that experience, coupled with the relative excitement of near-critical patients with cardiac-related diagnoses... I gripe about staffing and various things, but the thought of any other type of nursing bores me right now. The only thing I might rather do is CV-ICU (more cardiac) or Cath Lab (nearly impossible, at least in my area, because no nurse wants to give that up once he/she has secured a position there).

I started off in LTC and it was very overwhelming, I loved the patients but it was a difficult place to work. Later I applied at the VA Hospital and begin working in MedSurg (which I knew I wouldnt like [based on clinicals], but wanted the experience - and I ended up, not liking it). While I was at the VA, I was offered a position in a new primary care unit they were starting called DIGMA (a homeless clinic for vets) I LOVED IT!!! It was the best job ever!!!!! Thats where I met many patients with schizophrenia and I knew the mental health field was for me. Later we (my family) relocated because of the military and applied at a mental health research facility. It isn't an easy job, but I love it. After "wash out" (term used to described the week patients come off of their meds) it can be challenging, but I like and welcome the challenges. I've learned so much about the mental health community, as well as how studies work. Its just so exciting. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, YOU WILL FIND YOUR NICHE!!!!!!

Thank you all so much for your responses! Its so helpful! I think I'm going to continue to apply to many places and see where God takes me. Anyone else is welcomed to post more! Thank you again!

I found mine purely by accident. I floated med/surg tele as a new grad and hated it. I let my manager know that after a purely horrible night. My float pool manager then spoke to the ICU manager who had an open position. He interviewed me and I got it. Loved it. I am now a nurse manager myself in a LTACH. The funny thing is I went into nursing school with the sole intention of becoming and L&D nurse. I hated the cardiac part of school and failed it. Turns out I get it now that I put it into practice. I love to help patient who really need it and in ICU you can focus on the patient and their systems, use your critical thinking skills...not just get basic care done and meds passed.

Moral of the story: even if you thought you would never like it, try it, you never know.

I always thought that I wanted to work in pediatrics and loved my rotation in nursing school. I applied to the regional children's hospital in my area about 6 months before I was to graduate, but they were already filled for the spring/summer with GN's. I was told to wait and apply the following fall, but that did not work out financially. I ended up taking a position in a medical ICU, which I started to regret after my first month there. I took a sign-on bonus for the health system that required 2 years of service, so I waited for the 6 month probation period was over and bid on a position for a short stay unit at another hospital within the system. It was a diverse unit - outpatient invasive procedures, oncology/chemotherapy, IV therapy, and observation patients. That is were I found my love for oncology!!! Never thought I would love working with cancer patients so much. Currently, I work for the VA Healthcare System on a medical/surgical/oncology unit.

Sometimes, you end up where you would never expect to!

I knew I wanted to be a Hospice Nurse, even before I started the actual nursing program. Now I'm working as an RN Case Manager in Hospice Care. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

As a caveat though, I spent 12 (LONG) mos in bedside/hospital nursing- on med/surg floors. Wasn't really my "thing" either, but the experience was INVALUABLE!

I would not have been qualified and awarded my current position if not for my previous med/surg experience.

I think you may find that this requirement is common for specialty areas.

All the best to you!