Not sure what to do

[Ultra Violet]

i wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the psych specialty forum. i am a 40-year old new grad nurse (dec. 07). i've been working on a med-surge/oncology floor that gets a lot of psych/detoxes as well. i was originally going to school to be a substance abuse counselor and then changed gears to nursing for a lot of reasons (financial, flexibility, growth potential, etc.). anyway, all of my instructors, my own nurse practitioner at my md's office, and others have drilled into me that i need one year med surge. i really am striving to do that, but my head is telling me, why be miserable for one year doing something that you don't want to do. my passion is with helping alcoholics/addicts, but i don't want to pigeonhole myself into "psych." i just took at part-time job at a mmt clinic not to get into that controversial subject. i work 4 eves now on the med-surge floor. there are a couple of positions open on the psych unit of the hospital i work at now, but since i only have 4 months, i think it is frowned upon to transfer. you need a minimum of 6 months. i'm just looking for advice/opinions. i mention my age because i don't know how long i'll be working -- hopefully, 20 years. i could see myself working with pregnant addicts, adolescents, etc., but don't really see myself working happily long-term in med/surge. although i want to help people, i just don't feel the passion that i do for the other area. then part of me doesn't know if i am running out of fear. i do like the people i work with, the physical aspect of my job, and most of the pts. sorry this is so long.

[ukstudent]

If you look at several post's here you will find that no matter what area you go into you are in some ways being pigeon holed into that area.

You will also find post by people that managed to change specialties after several years.

What I am trying to say is that with nursing today that year of med-surg is no longer applied so strongly. If you know that the area of nursing that you want to get into then I say go for it. I would even apply for the in hospital position, they can only say no you need to have 6 months or they might say yes and let you change. You will only know if you try.