How did you know you wanted to specialize?

I knew before I graduated that I wanted to do ICU. I had a quarter of clinicals in a SICU, followed by my final quarter (role transition) in the SICU. Neat stuff - very challenging, but amazing.

I kinda have an idea about specializing in psych but you need 1 yr of expereince. I want a fun and exciting atmosphere so that area sparks my attention the most.

My second pick is nursing education. I will eventually get there but right now I have to build clinical skills.

i knew i wanted to work in critical care or er trauma nursing before nursing school. i have experience in pubic health and a bit in home health before becoming a nurse so i know it is something i wish to do when i retire from the er. the reason i love the er is because i love being in a fast paced team like environment (i was in the military for a bit and enjoyed this aspect of military life). as an er nurse i am able to combine my love for nursing (saving lives and applying science in the process) with being in a fast paced team like environment! also i know that the er is for me because i get a rush when i work in the er or tele step-down units eventhough i spend my entire shift stressed and busy!!! i do not get the same rush working busy medical surgical gi/neuro/resp/whatever units no matter how busy and stressed i get!!! in fact, i feel dead inside (seriously).

in any case, i have friends who are like you and have no idea what they wish to do so medical surgical nursing is a great start for them. in fact, they are happy with their choice to put in 1-2 years and see every training opportunity as a blessing!!! however for those of us who already know what we wish to do, medical surgical nursing can be torture! it is hard to have a positive attitude when you are working in an environment you care nothing for and you are mandated to be trained in skills you care nothing about (skills that an er nurse does not need to know, in my case). not to mention that some of the floors i have worked are poorly run. so, as soon as i could, i applied and landed a job in an er. yes, i am still a new grad, but i am post 9 months medical surgical full-time work experience and am ready to go! if i had a choice to start in the ed when i graduated, i would have gladly done so!!! gl!