I would only want to do ER nursing.

Flightline, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

First off, you've given three examples: oncology, forensics, and ER. If you want ER, you should be looking to become an ER tech now, or an EMT. Then apply for ER positions at the place where you work. If you want oncology, just finish nursing school, get your license and apply only for oncology positions. As for forensics, and this is just my opinion, forget it. I've never met a forensic nurse. I'm not sure they even exist, and most new people are thinking about TV shows when they think about forensic nursing (whatever forensic nursing actually is). There are ER nurses who collect evidence after rapes; there are nurses who work in prisons--that's the only forensic nursing I'm aware of.

Katnip, RN · Oct 25, 2008

You need to just apply for ER jobs. However, don't close your mind to other possibilities. People think ER work is like TV. It isn't. I can't count how many people thought it would be great to work there and find it isn't for them.

There are such things as forensic nurses, but it's not CSI type work usually. There are nurse death investigators, which come under the forensics title. Also, SANE and SAFE nurses, forensic psychology-nurses who work with the criminal element, usually in detention centers or psych hospitals.

Don't let television be a guide to nursing careers. Call around and see if you can shadow some nurses in the field you're interested in.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

Before you narrow down your choices, become a nurse 1st. Your journey through school may show you areas of nursing you thought you would never consider. You may be the best ER nurse ever someday, but 1st you need a lic.

jmgrn65, RN · Oct 25, 2008

I think you need to go to nursing school first, you ideas will probably change. Sometimes you have to start out somewhere else and get your feet wet and then move to your desired speciality. getting a job now as an aid in your desired area will be a great start and a good way to get your foot in the door. Good luck!

RhodyGirl, RN · Oct 25, 2008

Like the others have said, you need to start a program first and foremost. Get through the prerequisites, get accepted to a program, and then while in clinicals you can get a better idea of what you like and dislike.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Oct 25, 2008

i went into nursing school wanting ER/trauma and i graduated wanting ER/trauma. however, all my previous job experience has been in the ER and pre-hospital setting. if you wanna work ER, you need to get an idea of what you are getting yourself into. like other posters have said, the ER isn't glamorous, it's fast-paced, stressful and sometimes downright depressing. but its also the most rewarding and fulfulling career i can think of and i love the ER.

when you get into nursing school, keep a very open mind. i also really enjoyed telemetry and neuro and if i ever get sick of the ER those would be my choices. you will have to perform well in all areas of your clinicals. L&D, newborn, peds are actually good classes to pay attention in because unless you work in an all adult ED you will serve all age groups. you will need to know about everything and you will need to know it well. psych, geriatrics, cardiac, respiratory..... well, you'll see when you get into school.

my advice for you is to become a PCT or an EMT and get a job in the ER to get a feel for it and to also keep an open mind and soak up everything you can in nursing school.

good luck!

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Oct 25, 2008

You will be amazed at how your mind may change once you start school and actually experiencing different clinical experiences. It's OK to go in looking towards a goal, but don't close your mind to other things. It will not only make your clinical rotation VERY LONG, but if you don't keep your mind open you could miss your true vocation.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

All of the examples you have listed will be seen in ER. You will need additional training in order to do ER effectively. Make sure you know every topic well or you will have difficulty in the ER.

There is little glamorous about the ER. It is different than you may see it from the outside. Yes, it is fast paced and yes, you will have opportunities to save lives in the moment.

Make no decisions about your future employment until you know your stuff in all areas of nursing. If you still want ER you will have the opportunity once you have knowledge, skills and understanding under your belt. :twocents:

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

I'll be the first to admit I only want NICU, PICU or L&D. During my clinicals at school to become an LPN we went on out rotations to different specialty areas of the hospital. I was dreading going since none of then really interested me.

Tell you what, I moaned and groaned to myself about going to the dialysis rotation and after a few days of being there I found myself asking the nurses if LPNs were hired there, what were the steps to get into it etc.

Same thing happened with my ambulatory surgery rotation and with my community nursing.

You really have to experience different units and you just may find yourself thinking..humm, I bet I'd like XYZ unit.

I now know that if NICU, PICU and/or L&D don't pan out for whatever reason once I get my RN, that there are quite a few different specialties that really truely interested me.

You might find out that the ER doesn't do it for you..then again you might realize that is your nitche'.

My suggestion would be to get a job in the ER as a tech or maybe become an EMT or another job that focuses on emergent situations.

zuzi · Oct 25, 2008

Hey Miss Pope. First congratulation that you choose nursing. Second, loooool, is a good ideea that you alredy know what you want. You know some time this life chnage your mind, by the way what is important is not where you will be, importnat are PEOPLE from there. A great perceptor, a great team will make you to be in love with your work place wherever will be. My advice is go there were your dream is (ER) and try to volunteer a little, see the team, talk with them, fell them and if you really like the team and the style go for it, if not try somenting else until you will found "the place of your dreams". Stay balanced, not to straight but not let them also to step on you, if you fell that you are part from them there is your place, and you will be soo surprised where this place could be....looooool....

I am sure that if you choose with your heart amd mind in the same time without be blurred by ER movies, you will choose right.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 25, 2008

i'm considering nursing but my problem is that i only really want to do certain types like maybe er nursing. i'm not interested in nicu, pedi, geriatric, general, labor and delivery etc. i would want to do maybe oncology nursing, forensic or er nursing. when i graduate from nursing school how do i go about making it for myself that i only do er nursing? do i have to get specialized training? or do i just need to apply for er openings?

you haven't even started nursing school, so you have no idea what you might really be interested in once you have had an exposure to actual nursing. you're going to have some exposure to med surg, peds, l & d, etc. you might find you like them. or not. but why limit yourself now, before you even have a clue what you might like?