How do you know what kind of nurse you want to be???

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Ok I am struggling, Im a new grad, looking for a job and I cant figure out what I want? Do I want med/surg? more of a surg floor? oncology? I used to want to be pedi oncology but now not sure if thats too depressing! From clinicals, I liked doing dressing changes so should I do more of a surgical floor? I interviewed for a thoracic floor but not sure if i want to do such a specialty with acute patients, the training will be great but Im worried I will make the wrong job choice for my first year as a nurse! any advice?? I want to make sure that whatever I pick doesnt box me in.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

While in nursing school, I fell in love with geri patients. As a natural progression, I went on to hospice. I'm back in school for my RN and returned to LTC for steadier hours. I can't imagine doing anything else! Good luck and :welcome:to the wornderful world of nursing!

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Ok I am struggling, Im a new grad, looking for a job and I cant figure out what I want? Do I want med/surg? more of a surg floor? oncology? I used to want to be pedi oncology but now not sure if thats too depressing! From clinicals, I liked doing dressing changes so should I do more of a surgical floor? I interviewed for a thoracic floor but not sure if i want to do such a specialty with acute patients, the training will be great but Im worried I will make the wrong job choice for my first year as a nurse! any advice?? I want to make sure that whatever I pick doesnt box me in.:uhoh3:

Go for med/surg. You'll do so many different things and take care of so many different pts maybe you'll find one area that suits you more, or maybe you'll end up loving med/surg!

Either way with a years med/surg experience you can work anywhere. Best thing to do if you're not sure.

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I agree that med-surg is the best starting point. You will be able to go anywhere with a med-surg background. I daresay that most new grads do not find their niche right out of school. For some, it can take years and several jobs before finding what they really want to do. Good luck.

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That's the wonderful thing about nursing there are so many opportunities. Don't panic. Try something that seems interesting. If you don't like it you can always change. You need to give each job at least a year or so to fully understand if you like it or not. There is no such thing as being "boxed in". Explore ALL that nursing has.

I've worked in adult and neonatal ICU, dialysis, and home care. I saw acute and chronically ill, adults and children, in and out of the hospital. It was all wonderful. Good Luck

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I was sort of in the same boat. Every time we had a different clinical rotation, I suddenly had "found my niche." Apparently I had a lot of niches. I liked med/surg, I liked psych, I liked OB, I liked ICU. I have settled on emergency as a specialty because I get to whet my whistle with all of these specialties (except maybe OB...I currently work in a trauma center but have yet to see a precipitous delivery...but I do see a lot of OB/GYN patients). I'm graduating in Dec. and debated accepting interviews in mother/baby and med/surg, and did go to an ED and an OR interview. I chose ED. Anyway, I don't know if you could see yourself in emergency but I like the variety- although it's definitely not for everyone.

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I was just curious what you chose? Any advice for a soon to be RN grad?

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I am also soon to graduate and I seem to like almost every field. I don't know where to go upon graduation, and which field I should start off in. I would appreciate any advice/suggestions from others who have been in my shoes. Thanks!

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