What nursing field do you think is easiest and hardest?

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

The floats I work with tell me that endo, psych, and mother-baby is the easiest. Med-surg is the hardest (due to the many different needs of this patient population). This is coming from the 4 float nurses I know.

Float nursing seems to be the hardest (I have never floated myself), but from hearing their stories it sounds awful at times.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 31, 2012

Based on my school experience, post-partum was probably the easiest. ICU/PCU/CCU/CVSU were the hardest. I work on a PCU now and I love it.

Tinkx RN · Jan 31, 2012

@zorabanks wow i dont think that in either in an easy or hatd category but in tramatic!!!...i think a lot of ppl would have found something else to do, did u stick with it?

Skips, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

@zorabanks

That sounds like a difficult job to me!

allnurses Guide · Jan 31, 2012

Based on my limited experiences in nursing school...hardest: med-surg or adult EReasiest: mother-baby nursepsych seems pretty easy too, if there are aids or LPNs taking care of the dirty work.Not trying to offend anyone... I'm just a student and don't really know anything yet. This is just my impression based on rotations at local hospitals.

Things are not always what they seem. I can only comment on Psych. It is still incredibly stressful. Nursing is stressful. Period. And where I work... I still do the "dirty work". You have a lot to learn.

Calabria, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

I wouldn't be so quick to call any nursing job "easy" ever. Especially if I'd never worked in that field.

karamarie91 · Jan 31, 2012

I don't think any of the nursing fields are easy so to speak. And for the poster who mentioned LPN's and CNA's do all the dirty work, you have alot to learn!

Please come back and visit this thread when you become a nurse and you're still expected to do the dirty work when your cna or lpn is not around.

I don't know where people get this fairy tale idea that nurses just smile, hug, and pass meds. :yawn:

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2012

IMO, it's all subjective. What's a piece of cake to me may be hell to you, and vice versa. You may think L&D is a no-brainer while I'm overwhelmed and trying to escape in frustration. Likewise, I may think nothing of Psych ICU while you're hiding behind the nurses station in tears because you can't cope.

Therefore, don't base your decision of specialty on whether OTHER nurses say it's easy or hard, as you may be sorely disappointed :) Live it for yourself, then judge.

Also, liking a speciality may not necessarily make it easier...it definitely makes it more fun though.

(nothing against L&D and Psych: I just needed two areas to use for my post).

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Jan 31, 2012

The hardest floor is the one where the patients are on the call lights for little things (water with 5 more ice cubes) all night when there are much more important tasks to be done (like dealing with a patient with possible MI)....and that can be ANY floor.

Clovery · Jan 31, 2012

I don't think any of the nursing fields are easy so to speak. And for the poster who mentioned LPN's and CNA's do all the dirty work, you have alot to learn!
Please come back and visit this thread when you become a nurse and you're still expected to do the dirty work when your cna or lpn is not around.
I don't know where people get this fairy tale idea that nurses just smile, hug, and pass meds.

I said "IF" they do all the dirty work. I understand that's not always the case, but as long as cleaning feces off the wall isn't a daily duty, it doesn't seem so bad to me. I'm not trying to dis' psych... Actually I'm thinking that's maybe what I want to get into. We're on a psych unit now for clinical, and there's an LPN in my class who works at a state psych facility. From what I've seen & heard, it's not so bad, as long as you have a thick skin and can let insults roll off your back and you are constantly cognizant of your surroundings and where you position yourself with the patients.

I have a fair amount of experience with geriatrics and it kinda seems like the same thing... The aids are always the ones changing the beds, giving baths, etc. I understand the RNs do it sometimes if need be but not usually. It does make the job considerably easier when you have someone to pass off those type of tasks to.

Like I said before I'm not trying to insult anyone, I'm just giving my impressions, which is what the OP asked for, so don't get so defensive!

Tinkx RN · Jan 31, 2012

Ok so many people are feeling a bit emotional about this question i just want to say that this thread was suppose to be what u peronally thought was easiest to you or hardest to you and why not to say that any nursing job is easy because we all know any nursing job is hard work so if you feel like someone is claiming your nursing job is wasy dont take offense because that person may feel its easy for them as well as you may feel their nursing job is easy for you and for those who have not worked a nursing job that your claiming is easy maybe u could say "it seems easy to me" and "i havent worked this particular job so i really dont know just my opinion" just a suggestion

momtojosh · Jan 31, 2012

psych seems pretty easy too, if there are aids or lpns taking care of the dirty work.

please tell me i missread that!!????