Specialized Nursing - How decide before graduating?

[spudpatch]

Greetings ~

As a nursing student in my final semester, I am constantly asked what kind of nursing I want to specialize in. I come from an EMS background, and gravitate toward the ED, but thus far have enjoyed all aspects of care during my education. While I know that there are advanced certifications that I wish to pursue, after 2 years in an ADN program I think it is presumptuous for me to know what kind of nurse I want to be when I 'grow-up' and should spend a my first year (or two) just getting my nursing skills in line, being employed as a nurse to understand the day-to-day minutia. I would like to give myself a year in Med-Surg and just see what aspects of nursing appeal to me as well as what opportunities arise before picking a concentration or returning to school for an advanced degree. More than anything I want to I do not want to be pigeon holed or have my future opportunities reduced by not being perceived as having ambition toward the career. My question is: should I be more aggressive in looking ahead for new career paths or is my attitude of building the basic nursing skills appropriate?

Thank you very much for any input and suggestions you may offer!

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I don't think it's a bad thing to not know yet. A lot of students "know" they want to do one thing in particularly (usually Peds or L&D but not always) just because it's all they have any personal experience with. Most hospitals sort of take this out of the equation by insisting that you do a year or 2 in med-surg before specializing. And some of the people who "knew" that they wanted that one particular thing when they graduated end up being very happy where they are, and never end up specializing in that other area.

I guess my point is, what you think you want today may be very different from what you do want a year or 2 from now, so don't let it stress you out. Nursing is a field with almost limitless options, so with a little bit of effort, you'll find exactly where you're supposed to be.

[spudpatch]

Thanks for your reply!

It is good to hear that hospitals take what Nurse Graduates want to specialize in out of the equation. Your point is correct, that I have no idea what I may enjoy two years down the line. That is one of the reasons I chose to pursue nursing, I did not want to have to make choices now regarding future career decisions.

Does anybody have input regarding some of the certifications or training courses that a nurse graduate should pursue in the first couple years to advance your practice without ‘specializing’ per se?

Thanks a lot for you input!

[Signorina, RN]

I have been going through the same problem. I love Emergency care unit experience, O & G, Psychiatry, etc but i'm yet to decide wat i really want to do. I think I want to be an emergency Nurse or Geriatic Nurse.

Can spmeone tell me how important Basic Life Support Certicate is in obtaining a job as a registered nurse. Thanks

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

It's pretty much required to get an RN job. And you'll want to be working to get your ACLS pretty soon after hire if emergency is where you want to end up.

[redtshirt]

i wanted to to ED but i feel like i need to get my skills up first to my plan was to work on med/surg then move up to a busier surgical ward see how i handle the pressure and then decided if i wanted to go on and study to be an ED nurse.

Im still clueless as to what really pulls me in but so far ive decided i want to go surgical as opposed to medical

[lpnflorida]

I work with nurses who come from varied backgrounds some were ICU nurses, some Rehab, some PCCU , dialysis ,Psych, EMOR are just a few examples.

While some will say "I love where I am .I think this is where I will retire some day "Others says" I don't know what the future will bring" I will leave my options open. I love the idea of not knowing. Who's knows where your interests might lead you.

Obtaining BLS which is mandatory in all hospitals, PALS , any Advanced Certificates as you move along in your career are beneficial, etc are useful no matter where you land

Go for certificates and attend Continuing Educational opportunities in whatever floats your boat at the time. Do not restrict yourself just to the floor /specialty you are working in at the moment.

I attend educational seminars which have little to do specifically with Rehab nursing yet as we deal with so many different co-morbidities they all pertain in one way or another.

[spudpatch]

As you moved up into different specialties/floors , dod you feel that there were any skilld that would have helped you aolng the way? Thanks!