What are the most desirable nursing specialities, and why?

Ophelia78 · Jun 1, 2007

The happiest department is the one that has you looking forward to the day's adventure, and gives you pride for a day's work well done at night. I always thought L & D was "happy" compared to ICU, but it left me miserable. I'm 10 times happier working with critically ill adults. Go figure. Some find med-surg a calling, some prefer peds, it's just a matter of finding the niche that suits your personality.

Dolce, RN · Jun 1, 2007

It totally depends on the mix of coworkers that you have. I have worked in very "easy" work environments with coworkers who were constantly gossiping, backstabbing, shirking work etc. I've also had very busy, difficult jobs with excellent, helpful coworkers who team up to get the work done. If you are interviewing for a job and are trying to decide to take it ask if you can talk to any of the staff. Ask them how they all get along. Ask how long people have been at the job, etc.

YooperNurse · Jun 1, 2007

You just have to find your niche. There are SO many variables, from your coworkers, to the type of work you are going to be doing, to what the management is like etc etc, there's many things. I personally love working with head injuries myself, don't know why, just like it and am very good at it. I can work anywhere however, where there is a good team of nurses that will help each other out.

Don't be too quick to rule out med-surg. On a good medical unit you run across everything under the sun, it's quite interesting. All units have their ups and downs.

DaretoDreamRN · Jun 1, 2007

When i got out of school, all i heard about was ER and ICU..go figure...i am an ER nurse.

It is definately not the happiest place to be, i believe one finds happiness within oneself. Enjoying what you do and a friendly environment is important

jollyjenny · Jun 1, 2007

When i got out of school, all i heard about was ER and ICU..go figure...i am an ER nurse.
It is definately not the happiest place to be, i believe one finds happiness within oneself. Enjoying what you do and a friendly environment is important

I have also heard about ER nurses enjoying their job. That is so interesting to me, because as an outsider, I would think that the ER would be one of the most stressful places to work! But I love adrenaline rushes, so maybe this would be right up my alley.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2007

I work at a facility that is also a clinical site for nursing students, and I always ask these future nurses, "Which specialty would you like to go into?"

They always answer, "I want to work in the ER," or "I think I like the ICU," or "I want to do L&D." These answers are expected, because these specialties carry a certain amount of prestige and excitement.

They never respond, "I want to work med-surg," or "I really want to work at a nursing home," or "I want to do prison nursing." I suppose it is due to the fact that med-surg is perceived as a 'sink-or-swim' place, nursing homes are perceived as depressing, and prison nursing is perceived as dangerous.

sshannon · Jun 1, 2007

They never respond, "I want to work med-surg," or "I really want to work at a nursing home," or "I want to do prison nursing." I suppose it is due to the fact that med-surg is perceived as a 'sink-or-swim' place, nursing homes are perceived as depressing, and prison nursing is perceived as dangerous.

Well that explains why I get the "are you crazy!!!" look whenever someone asks me what I want to do. My happiest times as a student have been on a busy med-surg floor and I'm looking forward to working on one after graduation next December. :monkeydance:

Jo Dirt · Jun 1, 2007

I thought home health would be for me, because just about everyone I talked to who was in the field said they loved it.

Well I tried it and I would rather wax my whole body once a week for the rest of my life than go back to doing home health.

I prefer to work alone and I don't mind paperwork, just can't find a job doing this.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 1, 2007

Totally depends on you. Right now I am doing OB and I really enjoy it. Med-surg is not for me. I love newborn babies, I love new moms, I love taking care of high-risk pregnancies. Next to that, I LOVE community health. I love taking care of low-income, un- or underinsured patients. Double it if they don't speak English. Triple it if they are migrant farmworkers. That's just me. It's not for everybody. And there is no way I could do cardiac, psych, or ICU. I am just not cut out for it. It takes all kinds, and you will find what works for you. Don't rule anything out!

As the other posters have said, other variables play a big part: management, coworkers, area of the country, and many more. You can experiment around and find what suits you. That's something you can't find in many fields!! Best of luck!

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2007

I agree that it depends on the person. And what you think is for you might turn out not to be after all! I was one that loved Med-Surg, especially Oncology, and I liked Psych and Pedi. All that changed with my very first ICU clincial, I totally fell in love with the ICU where I had my clinical. Before the clinical I was terrified of the ICU and dreading that clinical, but this place is so wonderful it only took minutes to decide that was where I want to be! I am now a student nurse at that same facility and praying they will have a spot open to hire me on after graduation in August (everyone there tells me not to sweat it, they'll find a spot!) Good luck!

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2007

Desirable per the EMPLOYER?

Well, just about any speciality. There are regional variations - but, critical care will always be in demand. An RN with excellent credentials will ALWAYS be in demand. ER - ICU - CCU - PACU.

Desirable per YOU?

Well, that depends on the individual. I think the overall working conditions (staff to patient ratios, relationships with MD's, ancillary support, opportunity for advancement, teamwork among peers, progressive management, financial incentives) makes the decision for many.

Think about your need for control, autonomy, "adrenaline" rush (careful there - I lost mine 6 month into paramedic practice 13 years ago! - hard to keep it). Some nurses that are very detail oriented love ICU and OB, OR. Others that like autonomy like community health, ER and home health.

The thing to remember - IT is a wide open field. The greatest thing about nursing is the OPTIONS!

GOOD LUCK!