"What type of nurse?"

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 10, 2016

Keep an open mind while you're in school. I went in thinking I wanted to do L&D or peds. They were actually my least favorite clinicals. Experience as much as you can while a student, and then use those experiences to decide where you might like to start your nursing career.

As for those that ask, just tell them you haven't gotten to see all that there is to see and you're keeping an open mind.

Trust in Jesus, RN · Sep 10, 2016

I get asked this question all the time! :)

I tell people that I'm not exactly sure what area I want to work in, but that I'm excited to see what the different areas are like in nursing school. Sometimes I'll mention an area or two that I think I will like, but I don't know for sure since I've never been on the units.

BrendanO, MSN, RN · Sep 14, 2016

I wouldn't worry about it; I get it all the time, too. I just say "I don't really know yet, I hope to get a better idea in clinicals", and then maybe mention how I'm interested in trauma and critical care, and maybe FNP or anesthesia in the longer term. Some people just have their heart set from very early on to work in Peds or Psych or something, but I certainly don't think you're alone in not having an idea yet.

I'm in my 40s and also changing careers (from teaching HS). Good luck to you!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2016

Don't worry about it; yes, you will learn as you go what you like...and then may find that life has something else in store. :) Your area job market might also have a say in what kind of nurse you are.

When I started nursing school, I wanted to do psych and eventually become a PMHNP. I found out during my psych rotation that I didn't like it at all. Then I thought I wanted to do either LTC or clinic (I particularly enjoyed the day I spent in the travel clinic). I ended up in critical care -- an area I never even considered while in school.

There's nothing at all wrong with saying "Right now I'm learning about many types of nursing, and am keeping an open mind" when asked.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Sep 15, 2016

Yes, people ask this all the time. I actually find myself asking it too, just to see what other options are out there I maybe hadn't considered.

To be honest, I have a general idea what I want to do, but I'm going to keep an open mind while in school because there might be something that fits me better.

I don't think you're dumb for not knowing, at all. Just tell people "I'm keeping my options open!".

Buyer beware, BSN · Sep 17, 2016

OP: Tell them a chocolate nurse. That way they'll think you're sweet.

cristielf · Sep 21, 2016

I already know I want to be an ER nurse. It's where my heart is and where I currently work. I'm an EMT so I have the background and I already know how it works as an ER Tech.

Extra Pickles · Sep 21, 2016

people do ask this of students all the time and I remember being asked the same question when I was a student. A lot of the time students who had their hopes and dreams pinned on a specific specialty found out later that it wasn't what they thought, usually through clinical rotations, and they changed their minds. I probably changed my mind a half dozen times easily and I can tell you that it doesn't matter what you think you want now, take the Life is a Bowl of Cherries approach and see what comes up for you!

gere7404, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

Pretty much everyone I asked in pre nursing what they wanted to do in the field answered, "omg I love kids, I want to work with peds"

I'm pretty sure I don't want to work in behavior health or psychiatric nursing, I'm like the poster a couple posts up, would rather work in an acute setting like the ER.