What nursing specialty interests you the most for the future?

[kingvonnBSN2017]

I am just going to be starting nursing school in the fall, but as of right now from doing research, watching shows and hearing from people with the experience, I'm leaning toward perioperative (OR) nursing. How about you?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I had an ICU rotation in school and was taken by the autonomy the nurse had there, but a wee bit intimidated and I didn't think they'd hire a new grad anyway. So then I was certain to be a pedi nurse practitioner when I graduated, since I spent time in a freestanding NP clinic rotation as a senior (these were very new and hot stuff, and I wanted it sooooo bad). But my then-husband got a job transfer, so we moved across the country. I interviewed for three hospitals and got offers from all, but the one I took was a PACU, because I had had a summer job in an OR/PACU once and it was familiar to me. Well, from there I went to ICU, because the head nurse kept seeing me bringing me patients there and asked me to transfer to her staff ... but before I got to make the move, we moved for his job again. I figured if somebody thought I was OK for ICU, that's where I'd apply, so I did, and spent 5 years in a world-class CVICU/SICU/MICU. I did a lot of precepting and teaching at that job.

So some of my colleagues there were going to grad school (also a very rare occurrence in those years) so I thought I'd do that so I could teach in schools. Bingo, moved again... So I took a couple of grad-level courses to supplement my GRE scores and got into one of the top 3 schools in the US. I did critical care and teaching students in one form or another for the next dozen years. Married a better man, moved across country again!

Six years later the community hospital I went to closed their nursing ed department and I was out of my critical care clinical specialist job. Took a temp job in work comp case management and found myself in a totally different milieu and loving it for the autonomy and schedule, kept at it for another decade+. From there I ended up as what amounts to a clinical specialist in case management, life care planning, and legal nursing. I figure I'll retire from that in about ten years, unless something else comes along. (Ed McMahon, where are you now that I need you?)

Moral of the story: Ya just never know what life will bring you. No knowledge is wasted-- I use all of that-- and you have to be brave enough to make the jump when you have to do it.

[LaterAlligator]

I've just finished my first year so I know there's more to be exposed to, but I like wound/ostomy care so far. I enjoyed the NICU which surprised me, and disliked L&D And ER, which was no surprise.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I started a job as an ER tech, so I was completely sure I would work there when I graduated. I was completely against L&D and peds like so many of my classmates were. At some point a Facebook friend had a baby very early and posted everything. I was hooked. I shadowed in the NICU and I knew that's what I wanted. I just graduated and I'm about to start in the NICU. I'm very excited!

[futurepsychrn, ADN]

I have a year to go. I decided a long time ago that psych was what I wanted to do, and nothing I've seen thus far has changed my mind. I'm a little older though and have had a loooong time to think about it lol. Also, I've been dealing with mental health issues with family members my whole life and then married a man whose family had several members with mental health issues. I just feel very comfortable dealing with people who have mental health issues.

[georgiagirl2]

I love that we have so many choices in nursing! I am interested in NICU. I currently work as a nurse extern in the NICU. I honestly look forward to every shift.

[Wrench Party]

I worked in the hospital for a year, and now I work in an outpatient clinic. I haven't decided if I want to go more towards public health nursing, or wander back into the hospital and try my hand at the ER.

I also love the "treat em and street em" mentality. Keeps things interesting!

[Cakelady1]

Reproductive Endocrinology.

I have a very personal horse in that race.

[PaulBaxter]

At the moment I'm very interested in OR since I like technical sorts of things. Would love to get into research eventually, or teaching.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

L&D & corrections.

I've worked in corrections as an LVN but when I become an RN I'd like to try L&D. Although things may change during clinicals.

[NicoleRN707]

I just got into musing school for Fall 2015 and currently working as a MA in Fertility care. I really enjoy it but I think I will try other specialties after nursing school.

[NicoleRN707]

I will be starting nursing school this fall. Currently, I am working as an MA in fertility care and love it but will be trying out different specialties after nursing school!

[level1]

Then don't set the bar too high. A LOT of ER is handling a 3 year old with an ear infection that comes to ER because Mom doesn't want to have to make a clinic appointment, a bean pushed up a 6 year old nose, a fever that the parents haven't even tried to bring down with tylenol. You're in for a rude awakening if you think it's 24/7 knife and gun club with the occasional code thrown in to make things interesting.

This is true. Luckily, the ED at my hospital (level 2) has it's ER and a separate fast-track for the lower acuity cases. I'd much rather prefer working with the high acuity cases like the STEMIs and strokes we see on a consistent basis. We never have GSWs or penetrating traumas and I've only heard an actual trauma alert once. The adrenaline is more derived from working in a fast-paced, higher stress environment. I would probably go into a coma from how bored I'd be working on the floor, but I'm not going to work at an inner-city hospital that is level 1 designated just so I can be in on all the GSWs and stabbings from gang related violence.