knat90

Thank you all for the advice. It is much appreciated! I take my last final this Friday... NCLEX hopefully first part of Dec. I am excited for the next chapter! It is going to be a fabulous adventure

Yes, this is an assignment related question, but I am also truly curious... What if anything have you done to help prepare for the transition from student nurse to "real nurse"?

Wow, straight to the ER! I spent one clinical day in the ER and quickly realized that I admire the nurses that work there, but it is not for me. I did not like the adrenaline rush... a pt. said "I'm having chest pains." and I thought I am too! Seriously... thank you for the feedback. It is nice to hear about a positive experience like yours. It is also great to hear about your experience going straight med/surg. I am precepting on the medical floor and already see how stressful it will be if that is were I go. I appreciate the list of pros & cons you gave. Thank you for sharing your experience. As for relocating.... Not for another year :)

That seems to be the question that I can't find the answer to. So, I thought I would ask for some advice. I am about to complete my ADN program and begin my career. Up to this point my focus has been to become an RN, and now that I am just about finished meeting that goal the question is... what is the next step? My long term goal is to continue my education all the way to CNP, but I will be working on that over the next ten years. My immediate goal is to get my first job. I have had a lot of nurses tell me that the best plan is to spend a couple years on the medical floor to strengthen clinical skills and general knowledge. I have had the same amount of nurses tell me that I should figure out where I want to specialize and pursue a job there. I would love to hear feedback form all of you as to whether or not you went straight into a specialty or not for your first job, and what you think where the advantages & disadvantages where. Thanks for the feedback!