Questioned on what field i will be going into

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Alright, so I am current still doing my pre requisites and will be applying for the nursing program at my college in the spring. I know I am planing to get my associates and them transferring to get my bachelors to become an RN. But I have been asked a number of times what field I play on going into and I feel ashamed when i say that I have no idea when I answer them. I have no idea what fields are out there for someone who has an associates and/or a bachelors degree. I need some assistance please.

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It can be confusing to outsiders. There are a lot of different areas you can work in as an RN. Try looking under the specialties tab on this site and read some of the posts.

As far as I know most ADNs start out either in a Doctors office or in LTC (Long Term Care, think nursing home). Some hospitals will still hire ADNs but most prefer BSNs. The hospital setting it where you get the ICU (intensive care unit), ER (emergency room), L&D (labor and delivery, i.e. 'birth'n babies') and a whole lot of other areas. This site is probably the best place to learn about them, beside talking to a nurse in person.

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There are many fields but from what I have observed/heard, right now new graduates are happy to get jobs and get that valuable experience before going into their specific preferred field. If you really don't know, don't worry about it. Clinicals will expose you to different types of nursing. But here is a helpful thread about the different types of nursing: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/types-nursing-careers-121955.html

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There is nothing to be ashamed of on the fact you don't know what field of nursing to go to. There are numerous specialties. The only way you can find out if the specialty is for you is going onto the actual nursing unit and experiencing it all first hand. I am friends with numerous nurses (happen to be a few years older than me) that told me not to worry about it. They had it figured out once they found work in the nursing field. I am currently in a nursing program and as of right now, from being in many classes and clinicals, I realize that my main interests are oncology, psychiatric, and anesthesia (even nursing educator). I might sooner or later even have more interests. I am currently doing research on each of those fields and what they consist of. For now though, just worry about actually getting in the program and graduating. It will all come little by little, believe me.

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Yes, there is no way to be sure of what field you want to go into before nursing school. Even then it may take some time. You can't know what you like before you experience it because the idea of a certain field is much different than the reality of it in most cases. I am in my last semester of nursing school and still do not know what I would like to do.

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Specializes in OR.

I'm often asked the same question, and my response is always the same. I'm keeping my options open. I don't have a preference yet, but I'm sure I'll find out in clinicals which specialities appeal to me more.

I've heard multiple stories of nurse hopefuls declaring they'll work in pediatrics or maternity, only to discover they HATE it when they get into nursing school. I'd rather seem indecisive now than have egg on my face later.

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As far as I know most ADNs start out either in a Doctors office or in LTC (Long Term Care, think nursing home). Some hospitals will still hire ADNs but most prefer BSNs. The hospital setting it where you get the ICU (intensive care unit), ER (emergency room), L&D (labor and delivery, i.e. 'birth'n babies') and a whole lot of other areas. This site is probably the best place to learn about them, beside talking to a nurse in person.

I think you may be thinking of LPN's. Most LPN's work in LTC and offices. All my friends who are RN's with their ADN work in hospitals. While many hospitals are now pushing to have BSN's they are still hiring ADN's. The hospital my college is affiliated with just received Magnet status. They are still hiring ADN's but it is in the contract that within 5 years of hire the ADN will obtain her/his BSN.

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CT Pixie: Maybe it's just my area then.

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CT Pixie: Maybe it's just my area then.

Could be. :)

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Thank you all for your feed back, it is really helpful to know that I don't have to feel pressured into finding what I want to specialize in, also that some of you have had the same experiences. Thank you!

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As far as ADNs being hired mostly in LTC it depends where you live...almost all the nurses I work with at a hospital have their ADN. We regularly hire ADNs in ICU and ER as well...most doctors offices and LTC here seem to be staffed with mostly LPNs with a few RNs...

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