Speciality Nursing

This is an exciting time! My advice would be to concentrate on learning the basic principles and skills while you're in school. Take advantage of every learning opportunity possible.

No matter where you decide to specialize later on, you need to understand the nursing process in addition to clinical skills. Communication is also essential.

I have had varied learning experiences as a student, mainly medicine and acute nursing which has served me well working in charge in LTC. I never imagined I would enjoy LTC, but I do. I'm now looking to move into other areas of nursing, but I'm flexible. My post RN certification is in geriatrics, but I will continue to gain additional certs depending where I work next. I'm now entering my third year of nursing....many more to go probably.

Nursing is a continual learning process. Enjoy school, but try to find a system of organization that works for you. Everyone is different.

We were all excited and scared, too, but once you start gaining some confidence...you get through it. Many of us were mature students as well.

Learn the basics first. I thought I'd love Geriatrics, well, I love post op nursing. That's my niche. I know people who love medicine. Other love peds (large groups of small children scare me!)

LPNs can obtain post grad certifications in Dialysis, the OR, Orthopedics, Immunization, Foot Care (so NOT me), and you can always pick up certifications in breast feeding.

It's a journey. The destination just has lots of different branches.

You could not pay me any amount of money to work with peds or infants. I respect those who can, because those areas are definitely never for me. We all eventually learn where a fit would be.

My advice: keep your options open during school. Treat every clinical experience as a possible career path - try it on, try it out. I thought I was made for oncology and my actual career has turned out very differently. That said, it's a tough market out there and don't rule anything out because you have preconceived ideas about it. Good luck!

I think we most nurses have a ''I wanted to do A but ended up falling in love with Z'' story. You'll find your place, or at the very least find out what you hate. You may hate nights, babies or the nurses on the 5th floor. It will all help you to narrow down where you want to work. If you work long enough, there will be few things you have not tried in the end.

Good luck