What is your favorite specialty of nursing? (ER, MedSurg, ICU, Pediatrics, etc.)

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I disagree with new grads not specializing! As a student you get MULTIPLE semesters in medsurg/tele settings, generally enough to know whether you would like actually working on that type of floor. Also you can't assume every nursing student is coming in with zero healthcare or floor experience, as someone like me who worked as a medic absolutely knew med-surg would not be my cup of tea. You have students who are CNAs, ER techs, or any other role who are familiar enough to make a decision on specialty. Also, granted generally it is for a limited time, nursing students get to spend a day or a few in specialized areas as students (or more if they are doing a capstone).

Could it be the wrong choice for a new grad to pick PICU, NICU, ED..etc Yes, of course, but it is better to try a new area then to go into med-surg knowing you will be miserable or just not enjoy work. The only floor I truly hated in nursing school was the orthopedic floor. I loved pediatrics and maternity, so I knew I would eventually want to work in pediatrics. Since I work in the northeast it has been a struggle to find a job, imagine if I had just gone right into Pediatrics as a new grad when new grad programs were ample!!! I went into the ER instead, my mistake.

Annie

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

KelRN215 said:

The only specialty I've ever worked in- pediatrics. (Though I've done many different things within pediatrics.) I hate adults.

"I hate adults" hahah I think we can all relate

[headofcurls, BSN, RN]

I started out in mother baby. It was very boring but I liked talking to the patients and being in a happy environment. However, when I was ready to change specialties, it was difficult because I literally had no nursing skills (IVs/Foleys/disease processes/medication knowledge) but I did learn great time management, interpersonal skills, prioritization, and confidence. Now I'm in the stepdown, so far I like it. If I could do it all over again I think I would have started in med surg or the step down. I think variety and challenge suits my personality better than monotony and tediousness but everyone is different. Some people just want to go to work and be in auto pilot, I don't have kids or a family so I like some variety or I get very bored. One thing I will say, comparing mother baby and stepdown, mother baby is actually a really sweet gig!

[headofcurls, BSN, RN]

OrganizedChaos said:

Corrections. I tried the hospital & hated it with every fiber of my being.

Hospitals feel like factories to me but I do enjoy the fast paced atmosphere.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Mavrick said:

None.

New grads should not specialize. They don't know enough about nursing to know what they know or don't know.

So many nursing students don't have a clue about what real nursing is. They have made massively erroneous assumptions about nursing from watching too much TV. Picking a "specialty" too soon is an easy way to end up stuck in something you don't really like because your parents thought you should be a CRNA or because you think working with babies would be fun.

I had no idea how much I would enjoy Interventional Radiology until I floated there on a whim at a friend's suggestion.

Med/Surg is the perfect place for a new grad to start -- you get exposed to all sorts of disease processes, interventions, medications, etc. It's a great way to learn what you do and don't like.

My favorite specialty is cardiac surgery, but I wound up there through a series of happy accidents.

[LDayriderNurse]

Amazing how far and few LTC or jail nurses are in these forums. I love LTC, been involved in it since I was 19 years old when I started out as an aide. That is 28 years with the old folks and I love it and wouldn't change it for the world. I love my oldz. i praise all you hospital, peds, ob, and specialty nurses, but it takes a different special kind of nursing to do LTC. I would also like to do some hospice nursing on the side once I pass my RN boards, but I knew from the start of nursing school (LPN & RN schools) I've always wanted to work in LTC and hospice. I was an aide at a hospice nursing home for 12 years and I loved it. Whatever your heart desires, nursing is a very rewarding job. The wonderful thing about nursing is you have a variety of options if you get burned out in one area or another. God bless each and every one of us.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

~♪♫ in my ♥~ said:

Somehow, I bet you're not... unless no other corrections nurses are reading.

I've heard quite a number of corrections nurses singing the praises of that work.

My good friend loved corrections and had so many great stories about her job that I may try corrections if I ever get sick of cardiac ICU!

[Redsox07]

Hi kf-lagcc18, I really love your quote you post by your name "If you can't stop thinking about it, don't stop working for it".

[fourthtimesacharm, CRNA]

I am also glad I didn't listen to all the people that said new grads shouldn't specialize! I went straight into the ICU as a new grad. Never looked back.