When did you decide what you wanted to do in nursing?

[GeauxNursing]

At what time in your nursing school did you decide what you were going to do with your license? Was it going to clinicals that helped you along and showed you what you liked and what you were good at? I am only 1 month into school, and already thinking about what I will do when I get out... thanks!

[GingerSue]

my first decision about where I wanted to work came to me

near the time of completion of the program, so when I went

over to LTC, I was hired and very happy in my job

all the best in your career choices

[RNperdiem, RN]

Actually things were a little simpler when I graduated because new grads had fewer choices.

Most specialties did not hire new grads. A few classmates started in a speciality if they worked as a secretary on a unit or were known to the manager.

New grads generally went to the med-surg floors(often the least popular shift), or they started in long term care.

[leslie :-D]

i knew long before nsg school.

i had a dtr who died a horrible death.

it was her death that made me spittin' mad about the senselessness of suffering and dying.

i'm still working hospice...

even though some days, i wonder what else i should be doing.

leslie

[mymomisanurse]

I have been a nurse for 2 yrs now and still do not know what I want to do. After nursing school I decided to start out on the med surg floor and am still there today. I want to do something different but can't narrow it down yet. I am trying to decide whether to go the mother/baby route or try to go for ICU.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I always knew that I would end up in a nursing home. For some bizarre reason, I think elderly folks are the cutest people imaginable.

Also, I assessed my personal likes and dislikes. I strongly dislike infants, children, stress, emergent issues, and critical care areas. Therefore, I would not want to end up in L&D, postpartum, pediatrics, NICU, PICU, the ER, or any critical care units.

My favorite area has been psychiatric nursing, because there's never a dull moment when you're dealing with mental illness and chemical dependency. Also, I loved developmental disabilities nursing.

[mcmike55]

RNperdiem, you and I must have come onboard in the same era. I, too, came out of nursing school with no clue which direction I wanted to go. For me, the local hospital was the first best choice. They helped me get into school, and the director of nursing and night shift supervisor acted as my mentors for several years. I count myself blessed for the guidance they gave me,,,,even if I hated them for it at the time!!!!

Anyway, it wasn't until I worked several areas of the hospital that I found what I wanted. Initially it was E.R., then later, O.R.. I work surgery now, have for nearly a quarter of a century, but I still love to hang out and help in emergency when I can.

With the students I see now, at least with the local nursing schools, they give them a chance to see different nursing roles, all from the safe confines of nursing school. So when the new grads come out, I think they have their eyes a little more open, more aware of the different avenues available to them. Places seem to be a little more open to hiring new grads then they were in the past.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[abundantjoy07, RN]

I still don't know exactly what I want to do. It seems like it's hit or miss. Maybe one day I'll find out what's for me.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I have always been inclined towards either Psych or ER. I have decided to pursue a new grad residency position in the ER.

Leslie, I didn't know about your daughter. Sometimes it is injustice that causes people to make a difference in their world. I think your strong sense of social justice comes out in your posts.

[cmo421]

I

Leslie, I didn't know about your daughter. Sometimes it is injustice that causes people to make a difference in their world. I think your strong sense of social justice comes out in your posts.

I agree.

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

It's a perpetual quest...one I'm thankful to have the opportunity to consider, and all with one degree! We can switch it up every few years if we want to!

[RNDreamer]

I haven't started clinicals yet, but even when I first wanted to become a nurse 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to take care of babies. After watching shows like Special Delivery on the Discover Health channel and watching the NICU babies, I really feel that this is where I belong.