Should you go into nursing wanting to specialize?

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2011

What motivates you in life? What drives you? Do you love excitement or do you crave routine? WHY does nursing interest you?

The beauty of the nursing profession is largely due to its flexibility. If you find that a certain specialty isn't a good fit, you can move on. I am not advocating that you jump from unit to unit; that serves no purpose for you or for your peers.

I encourage you to not let your social awkwardness get in the way. Do you plan to get your undergrad? If so, you will learn how to acclimate to social situations, especially if you live on-campus. I was also a very awkward teen, but blossomed during my college years. Looking back now, I realize that I let my brothers 'protect' me too much, and the end result was a lack of independence on my part. Once you are on your own, you might be surprised at how adept you really are in social settings.

You will also learn how to take criticism. The only way to grow is to realize your own shortcomings and develop a game plan to overcome them. Professors are great at steering you in the right direction.

Nobody likes being wrong. Nobody likes feeling like an idiot. Criticism in a school or a professional setting is necessary if it is warranted. As long as you continue to learn and improve yourself, you will gain more confidence and independence.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 12, 2011

Also, keep an open mind about specialties... in nursing school, I hated geriatrics....and went into nursing to work peds or NICU. I wasn't able to get into NICU when i graduated, and there were no peds floors in the hospitals where I was- kids were admitted to the floor where they needed that sort of specialized care. So, I ended up in neuro, and other things- including nursing homes (LTC)- and I LOVED it :)

When I did get a peds job many years later (and floated to NICU), it wasn't my bag of beans (mostly NICU- did NOT like NICU at all- it was interesting to see where the current frequently admitted kids had started out- but that was it for me- thank goodness NICU nurses like what they do ! )... peds wasn't great because of my co-workers (some) and the amount of unwanted time off due to low census; and I was getting sicker myself.

NICU and pediatrics can be great- and you might love them- but what people think it will be like is only a small part of the reality of it.

Keep looking into this !! Go into it with answers to questions you have now- because you just get more questions along the way :)

SydneyJo1 · Aug 12, 2011

The socially awkward, can't take criticism well part probably has more to do with your age than with who you truly are (or will be) as a person. I think that pretty much describes a LOT of high school seniors! Life experience will most likely change that, so I wouldn't use that as a factor is deciding what to do with your life careerwise.

I would say that you should go into nursing if you have a strong desire to help people, like science (or at least don't hate it), are a good problem solver, and if you are willing to work really hard during your college years--nursing programs are tougher than most other college majors, and the bar is usually set pretty high. If all of these things apply and you feel in your heart like you want to pursue nursing, then go for it and give it everything you've got! It's a great career, but I think those who love it most and find it most rewarding are those with a passion for service.