What field??

[vfib]

I know there are hundreds of fields I could go into with a nursing degree, but what, in your opinion, would be best? Personally, coming from EMS work as an EMT-I and going into the nursing field now, I want to work emergency. I cant see myself on the floor doing routine stuff day in and day out. I am the kind of person who needs change and not to have to see the same thing every day. i think Emergency nursing would afford me this. I am also interested in the OR. This fascinates me, yet, I have never set foot into an OR. I just think I would like working in that environment.

What do you guys think? What do you like and why? If med/surg, or emergency, or OR, or Nursing Homes, or Doctor's Offices, etc. are what you think is best, tell me why...SELL it to me! I just want to weigh all of my options and do what I think is best for me.

Thanks for any input you can give to me!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Go for the ER - its the coolest place to work. I too do pre-hospital care on volunteer squad and love it too. I have worked med-surg, ICU and for the last six years, ER, level I trauma center. Couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Come on over to Illlinois

[JillR]

v-fib,

I went the same route you are going and worked for 1 1/2 yrs on med-surg. I did not like it but stuck it out until the position I wanted became available. If you want to go right into ER, do it. Don't worry about what others think, just do what gets you moving and intersted. I now work ER and feel like I am home, like it was made for me, or maybe I was made for it.

Whatever you decide, good luck. Just remember that in nursing, there are no boundries on what kind of nursing you can do, so if your first choice doesn't fit, find a new area, no big deal.

[sleepyhead]

Have you considered flight nursing? Your experience as an EMT would be a great credential. You'll need some experience in the ER first. I don't do this myself, but I do think it would be exciting taking care of such critical patients in such an independent setting.

[Teshiee]

From what you wrote sounds like you have answered your own question. Go for ER/ OR. There is nothing worse working in an area that you are miserable talk about a burnout waiting to happen.

My area is NICU I love it. It is challenging, and fun at times. It can get stressful but you always have some back up when things get nutty. I know most nurses have more than one area to work in there is nothing wrong in working in 2 areas you like! Good luck I hope you find happiness whatever you choose! :D

[joannep]

I agree, go for what you want. I worked in the OR for 15 years and loved it. No two days were ever the same, and you never knew what would come through the door via ER.

If you like to work as part of a team, and like a lot of adrenaline flowing, then I think you are on the right path.

:)

[Jenny P]

I have worked Newborn Nursery, Community Health, Outside agencies, ICU, CCU, Pulmonary ICU, and CV-ICU. At each point in my life, I was excited about the areas I worked in and enjoyed them. But I fell in love with CV-ICU and am still in it -22 years on the same unit even! Follow your heart and the rest will come along.

Your first task, however, is to get that education; so be sure to study hard; live in the present; enjoy what you are doing; always do the best you can; and never finish learning. That is my philosophy on life after many trails and errors.