What is the best specialty area you'll recommend for newly licensed RN?

Jules A, MSN · Mar 15, 2009

One that you are interested in and one where they will hire you. I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Didn't your school suggest applying for positions before you graduated? An FYI for other upcoming grads thats what we did and most everyone had a job secured before we even took NCLEX. Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 15, 2009

I totally agree with Jules. It's a big mistake to start your job in some area that has no real interest for you simply because someone else thinks it is a good idea to start there. It's easy to be unhappy in such a situation -- and you don't want to start your career off not liking the work that you do, the particular patient population, etc. There are enough stresses in the role transition process without adding to that stress by not liking the basic work and underlying specialty.

Once you have identified the general type of nursing you enjoy doing, then look at the various options that will either put you in that specialty -- or do a good job of preparing you for that specialty. For example, you might be very interested in ICU nursing. However, your local ICU's might not provide the right kind of orientation for a new grad. Or you might feel that your skills are not yet sufficient for you to start in ICU. So, you might speak with them and ask for their advice on the types of units that would give you the skills you need to transfer to their ICU in 1-2 years. In another community, another ICU might have a special new grad orientation program that might suit your needs.

If you are interested in pediatrics, speak to them about the opportunities they have available. If they suit your needs, great: take advantage of those opportunities. If that doesn't work out, at least ask them to suggest some suitable options for you to prepare to work for them someday.

But don't pick your first job based on some abstract notion that there is one type of nursing that is "best" for everyone -- or for every new grad.

All that said ... in today's economy ... you may have to simply settle for any job you can get for the moment. If that happens, make the most of the opportunity ... learn whatever you can ... do a good job so that you can get a good reference from them when opportunities open up that are more appealing to you.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2009

What everyone else said already :)

But I'd also like to add in that I'm old school and think that med-surg (at the right kind of place, with a good orientation and strong support) for the first year should be strongly considered. I realize that a lot of people will disagree with me on this, but I do honestly feel like the skills learned working med-surg give an invaluable base to build up on in different specialties later on.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2009

Talk to your instructors - the ones whose opinions you value - find those that you consider mentors and get their opinions.

I would have never been a cancer nurse had it not been for my instructor in my Adult Health Nursing course. And I love this - I really do. I'm even contemplating an ONP degree.

I never thought I'd work with cancer patients - and yet I love it, I love my patients, my coworkers are some of the best I've ever had in any job I've ever had. I don't dread going to work - even when I know our staffing sucks, it's Friday night, and the ED is bursting to capacity (we do get gen med patients as well - often we're the only unit with beds).

I thought I wanted to work in cardiology - until I did my preceptorship on a cardiology floor and realized I didn't really enjoy it. And then this instructor asked me one day what did I want to do - and I told her I had no idea. She asked me what was I really interested in. I love, love, love what I call 'drugs and bugs' - pharmacology and disease (sick, I know) really get me excited. She looked me dead in the eye and said, "You should work with cancer patients."

This instructor gave me a laundry list of my strengths and weaknesses, told me what she knew about me as a person and a nurse - and I know now she was dead on.

So to PG - and you know who you are! - I owe what I do to you!

AtomicWoman · Mar 21, 2009

I love, love, love what I call 'drugs and bugs' - pharmacology and disease (sick, I know) really get me excited.

Me, too. :) Also hoping to work in onco when I am finished NS.