Student asking: "What's your background and why IV nursing?"

[Chaetognath]

Hello, all. I'm a male student nurse, 33 years old (2nd profession, etc.) and about to graduate in May, 07. Throughout school, most of my clinical experiences have been med-surg, which is what my school recommends for new graduates' first years as RNs. However, I've hardly ever felt like med-surg is a good fit for me. Perhaps it's just my ignorance and pre-graduation jitters, but I just can't see myself enjoying work as a med-surg nurse.

That being said, I'm investigating other routes I could take as a new RN - and IV nursing has caught my eye. The few I've talked to at hospitals say they enjoy their independence and traveling all over the hospital. They've enjoyed honing a finite skill that is also a necessary service. But I'm curious about what others of you might have to say.

What do you do as an IV nurse? Is IV nursing (whatever your particular kind) a realistic pursuit for a new grad? What do you like about about your work? In advance, thank you for sharing your opinions.

- S

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I realize now that my desire to pursue a specialty has had more to do with trying to avoid the stress of being overwhelmed with the thousands of unfamiliar tasks and responsibilities faced by any new grad.

Really, though, there's no healthy way around that - I just need to work through my first six months, then my second six months, then my second year, etc. Then later, after a healthy growth of varied experience (as everyone has reminded me), I will be more justified in choosing a speciality.

You are to be commended on your ability to self-reflect and understand your original rationale for seeking the specialty. Kudos to you. It takes some individuals years to be able to do that.

You are going to go far!!! :) Good luck in whatever you choose.