Is it realistic to go into nursing with the ultimate goal of specializing?

Published

I ultimately want to become a psych nurse due to passion for mental health. I know that in the beginning I will probably have to be a regular floor nurse to gain experience and I am totally ok with that.

But is it realistic to want to specialize in a special area? or should you just settle for whatever comes your way?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

There is nothing wrong with having a long term goal. In fact, it can help in that it can help you choose experiences that will help you achieve that goal. It's fine -- as long as you realize that it might take a while to get there. You might not be able to get your "dream job" immediately after graduation.

As long as you realize that ... dream on!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some specialties are more in demand by nurses than others. Psych is something my nursing classmates either loved or had no interest in. Out of a class of 66, we had one nurse get a job in psych.

If that is the specialty you want, and you live in or are ready to move to where the psych nursing jobs are, your chances are pretty good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Nursing school in the US is a generalist education. All nurses specialize in their area of interest...be that ICU, ED LTC or med-surg...after graduation.

The job market is very tight right now in most areas of the country. Sometines you need to take the job that comes up while you llok for your area of interest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also keep in mind that the vast majority of nursing students enter school with some sort of idea of their future specialty...and very few of them graduate with the same thing in mind. :) They either fall in love with something else during their clinical rotations, or realize after graduation that wherever they can get a job is where they're going to work, and then they fall in love with something else.

So: Keeping your eyes on the path is fine, but don't forget to keep your peripheral vision open too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you become an NP in psych youd be set

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/FamilyPsychNP-Eligibility.aspx

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Not at all. I think a lot of us have the ultimate goal to specialize. Keep at it! You may be lucky enough to gain your experience on a psych floor, or a psych hospital! Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion