Suggestions for a speciality: Community Nursing/Mother-baby???

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello fellow Nursies!

I am currently a second year nursing student, and I was really looking for some assistance regarding what kind of nursing field I should go into.

So I am someone who doesn't have problems studying, reading books, and understanding concepts, and I have been doing pretty well in all my Nursing classes. The one thing I can't seem to get are the PRACTICAL aspects of nursing - aka doing procedures. Sometimes I feel like I'm just book smart and that I don't have any common sense. I think I am probably being a little bit hard on myself as the "hands-on" tasks of nurses do require experience and practice - but I have never really LOVED the practical tasks of nursing, such as inserting catheters, IVs, dressings etc. I feel like I really have a problem because I feel like that's what nursing is all about! Maybe part of it also is because I'm such a perfectionist that if I forget to do one little step, it will drive me crazy and I will always put myself down for it.

I find what I enjoy most is being able to TALK to my patients, or to teach/guide patients. My main goal in nursing school was to become a Labor and Delivery/Post-Partum/NICU nurse, but I'm even starting to doubt that because I don't know if I'll be able to handle the stress, the constant charting, and all the procedures I'll be doing.

I am also someone who gets stressed REALLY easily, so I was wondering if any of you guys would have any suggestions for me :( I've even considered community nursing as well, but I feel like I'd miss out of the aspects of mother/baby which is what I've always wanted to do.

Sigh, I just feel so hopeless right now. I am so sorry for the rambly post, guys. I look forward to your replies, thank you so much in advance. Hope you are all have a great night/day.

Sincerely,

An anxious Nursing Student

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I would get through nursing school before trying to pick a specialty- many new nurses don't start out where they want to be. However, if you can't handle stressful situations or like to do hands on tasks like IV's, then acute care is definitely not for you. Working in NICU, L&D, are some VERY stressful situations. Most hospital jobs come with stress, people are acutely I'll. Nursing is not about perfection every time, it's about doing the best for the pt at that time- nursing is very messy and chaotic. Pretty much any job in nursing can be stressful- maybe working in an office at a desk type job would be better for you- but you'll probably need experience. Perhaps you can look into a therapist to help you with strategies for your stress and anxiety.

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You have some more time until you graduate. Nursing is a stressful profession as already pointed out.

If you like talking - see if you like psych rotation. Any place that does procedures is like a factory nowadays including charting....

I found critical care not that stressful as a new graduate because the ratio was 1:1 or 1:2 and there was a lot of support - however, there is a lot to learn and pressure at times plus it depends on the whole "climate".

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Check out Nurse Family Partnership

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