Specializing as a Nurse

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I am a little confused. I was hoping someone could give me some advise, or even a web site to read about it. I am just beginning my nursing classes, and I was wondering, how do you specialize in a particular area? I see nurses all the time that are specializing in certain areas, either peds, surgery, ob, or other areas. Is it something I need to do while I am going to school to get my RN license, or is it something that is done once you have your license? I want to specialize in surgery. Not that I don't want to work in other areas, it just seems like a great place to work. I don't want to miss my opportunity to specialize because I don't know what I need to do to get there. Any help would be great. I know that each state is different, so if anyone knows the exact rules or laws for Florida that would be even better, but I will take general information too. I at least need a starting point for my research. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

you try your hardest to get a job in that area when you graduate. after you have your RN you can take 1-2 semester certification courses in different areas(usually available at local community colleges), and that helps your chances of getting into the field you want. for example, once you are an RN, you can take a certification course in perioperative nursing. Then, you are an RN with a cert, and you are way more marketable.

good luck!

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you try your hardest to get a job in that area when you graduate. after you have your RN you can take 1-2 semester certification courses in different areas(usually available at local community colleges), and that helps your chances of getting into the field you want. for example, once you are an RN, you can take a certification course in perioperative nursing. Then, you are an RN with a cert, and you are way more marketable.

good luck!

Thank you for the information. I will see what my community college offers, so that I can make a plan for once I am done with the nursing course. I know it sounds silly since I just got accepted into a two year degree program to be looking to the future, but that is what I do, I plan for the future. When I have a plan and a goal I do better. I have achieved my goal for getting accepted into the nursing program, so now I can do some research now to see where I want to go after I graduate. Thanks again for the information, that is great to know.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.
Thank you for the information. I will see what my community college offers, so that I can make a plan for once I am done with the nursing course. I know it sounds silly since I just got accepted into a two year degree program to be looking to the future, but that is what I do, I plan for the future. When I have a plan and a goal I do better. I have achieved my goal for getting accepted into the nursing program, so now I can do some research now to see where I want to go after I graduate. Thanks again for the information, that is great to know.

i'm the same exact way, i totally understand. i had the very same question as you when i was completing my pre-req's, and found the answer by mistake when i was looking online at the certificates offered at one of my local community colleges.

you can also google "perioperative certificate (your city's name)" and i would think it would pull something up. i haven't graduated nursing school yet, but from what i hear/see, it seems like the more certifications you have, the better your chances are for employment.

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the association of perioperative registered nurses (aorn) is the professional organization for perioperative and operating room nurses. it lists programs too, follow the link to find ones in your state: http://www.aorn.org/applications/coursedirectorylisting/coursedirectorylisting.asp?bystate=[state]%3d%27fl%27&byprogram=1%3d1&byinstitution=1%3d1&bymode=1%3d1&submit=search *note:* there may be other organizations that i'm not aware of which list programs such as there is both the nln and ccne for rn program

the american association of plastic surgical nurses (aspsn) is the professional organization for, you guessed it, plastic surgical nurses. i'm not positive but i don't think you have to attend an education program to become certified for this. you just have to pass a test (eligibility for the tests includes at least 50% of practicing hours spent in plastic surgery in 2 years out of the last 5).

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Specializes in EMS.

PALS and ACLS are the most common-need those cert's for just about any job out there. (Easy classes as well). Try not to focus too much on specializing rate now-go thru the nsg program, and pay attention in clinicals. When you find that certain floor / area of nursing that majorly sparks your interest, go for it. Pick that as your specialty.

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