How did you know you were in the right specialty for you?

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Sep 6, 2017

I love what I am doing and seemed to be good at it. My residents in LTC liked me. I never thought I would do well in LTC, but found I really enjoy working in that area.

Everline · Sep 6, 2017

I started to love being a nurse, which was a huge change from other specialties. I'm really interested in what I do and tend to be good at the kinds of nursing skills and patient interactions needed in public health. I can see myself being a public health nurse for the length of my career.

sergel02, BSN · Sep 6, 2017

I started to love being a nurse, which was a huge change from other specialties. I'm really interested in what I do and tend to be good at the kinds of nursing skills and patient interactions needed in public health. I can see myself being a public health nurse for the length of my career.

I really enjoyed my public health rotation in school and definitely think it's something I may want to do. I like the preventative aspect of it. If I could combine that with peds I think I'd be in love.

But you never know until you try.

RNperdiem, RN · Sep 6, 2017

A consistent level of job satisfaction. I don't use terms like 'love' or 'passion' for work, because these are unrealistic expectations for a job and that set you up for disappointment.

I have remained in my unit because I am able to take good care of the patients, and the management helps make that possible. My coworkers (never overlook coworkers, they are a big part of satisfaction) are team players, and I am treated fairly.

It is not necessarily the specialty that makes a unit the one for you, the management, culture, coworkers, patient population, doctors, and other factors matter just as much.

allnurses Guide · Sep 6, 2017

I knew when the challenges seemed balanced with the good points and when bad days ran me over, the good days still stood out.

HermioneG, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2017

I always knew I wanted to do ER, but when I did my practicum there I found the place that just "clicked"

Someone once described it as "its hard to describe, but sometimes you just go to a place, look around, and realize that you've found your tribe"

I agree 100% with that statement

brownbook · Sep 7, 2017

Sometimes it is simply where you can get a job. Where are you working now, what education do you have?

Having floated in acute care for 17 years I kind of found L&D my vague "gee, L&D really seems interesting", area, but it was late in my nursing career. I only helped with stable early labor patients whom the "real" L&D nurse had assessed, or started IV's acted as a gofer, etc.

I found the specialty I loved because out patient surgical nursing is Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm, (kind of), no weekends, no holidays, except if you have to take call for PACU.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Sep 7, 2017

I am an outpatient oncology nurse and would never have chosen this specialty. I let the specialty chose me! I feel like I can really make a difference for our patients. I am a physicians nurse and work one on one with patients and really get to know them and ensure they get what they need. I felt that in the hospital I was working to keep people alive and put out fires, but I didn't have the time to really make a difference and when they left I didn't know what happened to them. I love working with people and seeing them smile with their eyes and know that I am impacting them and helping them to make a difficult situation better.

I don't get to practice my skills very often, but I feel it is a fair trade off and know that this is where I will stick.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Sep 8, 2017

I think this is something that can change through the different stages of your life, and that there are probably a few different things we can do well and enjoy.

For my part, i feel like I'm working a job that is at least headed toward what I want. When I did share time on the unit, it felt like home. I instantly liked the manager when I met her and clicked with the staff. Perhaps most importantly, I always want to learn more about the issues facing this particular patient population (psych). I continue to learn and review various physical illnesses because obviously that knowledge is pretty crucial, but I get the most enjoyment out of the mental health factors that affect my patients. I feel like when you encounter things you genuinely want to master in your job, that's a pretty good sign.