Seasoned nurse wanting to enter entirely new specialty area? Is it possible??

[NurseCard, ADN]

Okay, so my 7 year nursing career has been spent in two areas only; Med Surge and Psych. Currently I have a psych position and have become rather unhappy. I think that I would LIKE to go back to doing something more fast paced and hands-on, but I really don't think I'm interested in going back to Med Surge.

I think I may be interested in ICU; actually I've always been interested in PACU but I've heard that it's a good idea to get some ICU experience first. I also think that I might be interested in ER.

What are the chances of entering those areas as a seasoned RN? Especially since it's been over a year since I've even worked in Med Surge? Should I probably just go back to Med Surge for a while and then move from there? It's just that I've learned that if there is an area in the hospital that you are truly interested in, it's best to go directly for a job in that area, lest you be stuck in the area that you really didn't want to be in.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[gtoko]

Go for it. With a background in med/surg and pych., you probably could go just about anywhere.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Go to ICU.

From there, all paths are open.

Going from PSYCH to PACU is not a good idea--that's like going from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds.

[Ahhphoey]

Go for ICU. Many places have internships to train new grads and seasoned nurses to the ICU setting. I worked in med-surg for 4 years before moving into ICU and got extensive classroom and on the unit training. Honestly, that was one of the best moves I've ever made.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Over half the patients in the ER are pysch, or at least if feels that way sometimes, so you could try there and work your way into the skilled areas of the ED.

[Davey Do]

You have a lot of options, NurseCard. A relatively varied background for your seven years experience.

It's also interesting to me, in that, I work Behavioral Health, and my significant other, Belinda, works Med/Surg.

I prirmarily work in a so-called "gero-psych unit". It is predominately psych, but I feel as though I get to keep my fingers in the pie of medical nursing. The majority of Older Adults have numerous health issues. This is an area you might want to consider.

Other obtions could include Home Health. With your medical background, you'd be shoe in. Working Psych inhances one's communication skills, so that would be an added bonus. It's a real pleasure to work one on one with a patient in a setting that they're comfortable in.

Just about any nurse with determination and desire can transition well into another area with adequate tranining and orientation.

Good luck to you, NurseCard.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

I have worked with alot of nurses that had 15-20 years experience and had had at least 3-4 specialties under their belt. It is not uncommon for a nurse with over 5 years experience to want to do something different. I think you have the perfect amount of experience, not too little and not too much. Sometimes employers are reluctant to hire 20+ year vet nurses because they usually come with a higher price tag but I say go for it, it will be great for your career and self confidence to gain new skills. good luck!

[RN4U2NV]

New grads start in the ICU so you can too...you will be like Novice to Expert all over again, but with some experience...I was in long-term care and went to surgical unit as PRN job, then after 4 years I went full time to the ICU. I was a Novice after becoming Expert in my field and comfort zone but after 5 years I am in the ICU cross trained in medical, cardiac, neuro, surgical and cardiac surgery ICU, even did a little nurse travel in the ICU with my background...summing it up, go for the change and love the adrenaline the ICU has to offer