Nursing fields: What has been your favorite?

[DyerRN]

I have been in healthcare for 9 years. Some as a STNA, lpn and RN. I will soon have my BSN and am getting the itch to try something other than a SNF. I recently accepted a hospice job with great hours and pay. However, with all the resources on this site (all of you), I wander what everyone's favorite field is?

Has anyone tried hospice and hated it/ loved it?

Maybe the vast majority of you love the hospital and wouldn't trade it for anything?

Maybe some love the routine of a SNF.

Lets talk about your favorite fields and why to give some of the newer nurses on this site (like me) some wisdom ? 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

3 hours ago, cynical-RN said:

Keep advancing your education. It enhances your chances of being irreplaceable and/or indispensable. 

The day that any of us thinks that we're irreplaceable...surprise! We're ALL very replaceable. Any employer will show you that in a heartbeat 

[NurseBlaq]

I don't think I have a favorite but everyone is different and has different experiences. I say work in places/on units that interest you for a minimum of 1 yr before moving to the next to get your feel of the type of nursing you like/dislike. I definitely know what I dislike but there are others who seem to love it, L&D and anything dealing in peds. Everything else, I was alright with it or open to the next experience.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

23 minutes ago, NurseBlaq said:

I definitely know what I dislike but there are others who seem to love it, L&D and anything dealing in peds. Everything else, I was alright with it or open to the next experience.

I've never worked either. No desire. I'm glad you said this, because when I've spoken my non-desire to other nurses that I know, I've been looked at like a 3 headed alien...

[Guest856929]

1 hour ago, Hoosier_RN said:

The day that any of us thinks that we're irreplaceable...surprise! We're ALL very replaceable. Any employer will show you that in a heartbeat 

That is my point. Anyone is replaceable and disposable. Some more than others, especially if they come a dime a dozen. LPNs who used to be primarily in the acute setting know that. ADNs will soon know about that in some settings. One of the best ways to curb that is to advance your education. Earn credentials based on merit and not the subjective imagination of the higher ups.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Hands down Psych has been my favorite specialty with Labor&delivery 2nd. What I love about psych is there is never a dull moment which has taught me to appreciate dull moments in other areas of my life. The best part is seeing someone getting better the worst part is that they come back so often that when we don't see them for 6 months or so we start to think they may have passed with no one to care for them in their final moments. 

My least favorite specialty is LTC I did not like that at all. I do believe every nurse should work in Psych and a year in LTC just so they would quit saying we are not real nurses.

Hppy

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I don't like working in the hospital.

I really prefer working in the community. 

And I really like working in psych. 

 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

1 hour ago, cynical-RN said:

That is my point. Anyone is replaceable and disposable. Some more than others, especially if they come a dime a dozen. LPNs who used to be primarily in the acute setting know that. ADNs will soon know about that in some settings. One of the best ways to curb that is to advance your education. Earn credentials based on merit and not the subjective imagination of the higher ups.

You will need the experience to go with it. MSNs/DNPs without relatable experience, even now, are having trouble finding jobs (think FNP, educators, managers, informatics, in oversaturated markets).  I'm reluctant to give advice that may put someone further from their dream, and in debt with a defined vision of ROI, without having them take a realistic look at their market

[Guest856929]

5 minutes ago, Hoosier_RN said:

You will need the experience to go with it. MSNs/DNPs without relatable experience, even now, are having trouble finding jobs (think FNP, educators, managers, informatics, in oversaturated markets).  I'm reluctant to give advice that may put someone further from their dream, and in debt with a defined vision of ROI, without having them take a realistic look at their market

If we are looking exclusively at the probability of being replaceable/disposable, I’ll take an advanced degree NP/CRNA/educator over LPN/ADN that are primarily restricted to bedside. BSN is the middle ground, but far from a happy medium for most. Nonetheless, I do understand the viewpoint and context  that you’re referring to. 

[NurseBlaq]

5 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

I've never worked either. No desire. I'm glad you said this, because when I've spoken my non-desire to other nurses that I know, I've been looked at like a 3 headed alien...

I never worked them but knew I didn't want to since undergrad. I hated those rotations with a passion because there were a few parents I wanted to choke out. I decided then if I wanted to keep my license, not cry daily, and not commit homicide, stay away from those units like they're an active plague---- unless I'm a patient but my baby days are over, you hear me, over! ?

4 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

You will need the experience to go with it. MSNs/DNPs without relatable experience, even now, are having trouble finding jobs (think FNP, educators, managers, informatics, in oversaturated markets).  I'm reluctant to give advice that may put someone further from their dream, and in debt with a defined vision of ROI, without having them take a realistic look at their market

Or be ready to relocate.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

4 hours ago, cynical-RN said:

If we are looking exclusively at the probability of being replaceable/disposable, I’ll take an advanced degree NP/CRNA/educator over LPN/ADN that are primarily restricted to bedside. BSN is the middle ground, but far from a happy medium for most. Nonetheless, I do understand the viewpoint and context  that you’re referring to. 

CRNA requires acute, ACNP (as FNPs are a dime a dozen in many areas anymore) requires acute, and educator will require experience relatable to the subject teaching, generally acute, in nursing school. Again, this is why I put this angle on it for OP.  I will choose known experience. Alphabet soup behind a name, along with unknown experience, can mean a larger crisis at crunch time. I've seen it more than a few times in my career

[Guest856929]

3 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

CRNA requires acute, ACNP (as FNPs are a dime a dozen in many areas anymore) requires acute, and educator will require experience relatable to the subject teaching, generally acute, in nursing school. Again, this is why I put this angle on it for OP.  I will choose known experience. Alphabet soup behind a name, along with unknown experience, can mean a larger crisis at crunch time. I've seen it more than a few times in my career

Tell me something I don't know. My contention wasn't based on lack of experience prior to advancing one's education. I think the merits of enhancing one's knowledge far outweigh the price of ignorance! 

[RiverRat788]

I have had a very long career.  First, SICU fresh open hearts, adult and pediatric.  Then ER and then OR for a training class and then full time. Loved the open heart team.

Moved to Florida for a pediatric and adult  heart program in the OR. 

Had children...and then worked psych in a forensic hospital as staff development and educator.

Risk Manager for the same state hospital system..

Moved to DC and took time off.

Went to George Washington University Master's program in  Legal Studies.

Worked on few huge legal cases.

State surveyor for all certified and licensed facilities in 3 states.

BON staff.

Infection prevention at the  state level.

Retired as a state surveyor and complaint investigator.