Switching specialties

[CindyP]

Hi I’ve been a nurse for 29 years. Mostly surgical. In the past I’ve done ICU, CCU, and floated to every dept in the hospital except L&D. I’m tired of medsurge and running around for 6-8 acute patients . I was offered to shadow L& D and train for 4-6 months. Do you think it’s too late to learn a whole new specialty after 29 years ? IDK what to do. 

[RNperdiem, RN]

Look into it. See if you can shadow. How much overlap in skills are there between what you know and what you will have to learn?

Another factor: what is your energy level? Are you a tired nurse or do you have a lot of energy. Starting in a totally unrelated new specialty will mean almost starting over. This takes a lot of stamina because everything will be much harder because you are new. Are you ready to take on a whole lot of new information and put the work in to become competent. Are you humble enough to accept being a beginner of sorts despite you long years in nursing?

I once considered transferring to OR, but then I realized I wasn't up for starting at the very beginning again, that there was not enough overlap of my previous experience.

[CindyP]

Thank you ! You put it perfectly. That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking .. it’s like starting over in a way. But then I think .. I have about 15 yrs left in my career .  I am going to shadow next week. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

You know how to be a nurse. You've got a huge body of experience. Look at a change as something fun and interesting, not a burden, and it'll go better for you.

[CindyP]

Thank you. My kids are grown now  , I have time to focus now on something new .  I don’t want to go back to school for any higher positions. so this may be what I’m looking for !