Published Jul 23, 2009
NeoPediRN
945 Posts
What would you pick? I just started a brand new job working with adults on a very busy post-op floor. I've been told it's not uncommon for the 3-11 shift to get 15 admissions. I feel like I took a step back in some ways because my heart is in pediatrics and I left that field to take this new position, but there are too many benefits not to take it..specifically, it's only 8 miles from my house as opposed to 52 each way. If I could pick any field of nursing I'd definitely work in pediatric oncology. Where I live there's an approximate 4 year waiting list to work on that floor once you become an internal candidate. They have lots of interest and rarely an opening (or an opening on any floor in that particular children's hospital). I also hope to work in the PICU/NICU/pedi ED at some point too. How about you? If you had your choice of any area you wanted, where would you choose?
NurseMarla
39 Posts
I'd be right where I am :) I graduated in December and went straight into Hospice (in May, due to molassas-like BON), and I've been thanking my lucky stars every day since. I never want to do anything else.
jamieann.rn
6 Posts
Hi SarahBeth,
I'm a new grad and my goal before graduation was definitely peds or home health. I have realized that after doing a little bit of everything, I want to do a little bit of everything. That is the beautiful thing about nursing! I started working on an acute care adult unit for a very busy hospital working nights 7p-7a. Nights and adults were not my first choice but the chance to get acute adult experience under my belt is hugely enticing. Eventually I will move to home health and peds, depending, but I feel my foundation in acute adult will greatly help my critical thinking skills.
So if I had to pick where I would want to be, I would be right where I am. Plus, the beginning of the journey often leads to bends around the corner that are unexpected and often welcomed.
PsychIon
4 Posts
Keep networking, working hard and getting good references, and studying up on your dream job and you'll get there. Personally, I love psych, have a great night job that I get all the hours I want (most of the time) close to home (ten minutes on a bike) and allows me to continue with my APRN schooling. Life's good.
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN
2,387 Posts
I don't know yet....I've just got my first job as an RN three months ago working in critical care, I like it, but I don't believe it's my "niche."
I'm thinking about becoming a legal nurse consultant down the road.
When I was younger (about 12 or so) I had decided I wanted to be in the fbi with forensics knowledge (I was the weird kid that read all the serial killer books and such) and all that, as there isn't too many "nurse cops" out there, that's the closest field I can think of other than a SANE. (but I don't want to work strictly rape).
As it is, I'll stick with Critical Care til either some dream position falls into my lap or a light bulb goes off.
Anisettes, BSN, RN
235 Posts
I did my year of Med/Surg upon graduation and the went to the ED - I ADORED it... until about 9 years in and I found myself beginning to get burned out, I went to per diem in the ED thinking it would help and in addition, took a couple of other jobs working in a prison and a quick care for another 2 years, but found myself starting to NOT want to be a nurse at all anymore, I started looking at college brochures I was feeling so unhappy.
Then I answered an ad for a training program for OR nurses, I interviewed and got the job and at the same time began SANE traning and doing that. That was almost 10 years ago and I haven't looked back. I rediscovered why I loved nursing and don't foresee any changes in my immediate future. I discovered it wasn't nursing I was burned out in, it was just the specialty I had become disillusioned with (though I can't give one specific reason, it was several).
Don't stay with an area you become truly unhappy in. We all change for various reason, our needs change, the workplace changes, whatever. Life is too short to be unhappy when you have the power to change it. You suffer, your family suffers, and your patients suffer because when your heart isn't it it, your not giving anybody your best.
Babs0512
846 Posts
I'm trying to move away from direct patient care and into QI/QA, case management, legal nurse consulting. I love pouring through charts like a detective, and putting the puzzle together into a cohesive picture. My job of 18 years let me go in May R/T a comp injury - so I've enrolled in an online school to work toward by BSN and I'm looking for other work. We'll see.
Blessings
chicookie, BSN, RN
985 Posts
Labor and Delivery have always been interesting to me.
A preop nurse is something I would also like to try.
coffee4metech
230 Posts
Homehealth and or Hospice!!!
vivacious1healer
258 Posts
ambulatory surgery (pre and post-op), PACU, radiology special procedures.
JenRN2011
90 Posts
Three months ago I got a job as a treatment nurse and LOVE it. I was just looking for experience while waiting to get into the LVN to RN transition program. I am now looking to the future to get certification in wound care.
Jenn