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Discussion

When specializing, does that limit where you can go in the future?

Hi All, I'm a new nurse, working for 8 months and plan on working on the same floor until I've been here for a year. I currently work on a tele, med/surg floor and have already reached the point of burn out with this floor. I'm not sure if it's working nights that is doing it to me and the fact that they haven't been very good at giving me 3 nights in a row and sufficient time to catch back up and rest before I have to return, or if it's the patient load, the floor itself or what. Probably a combination of all of these issues. I never thought when I started that I would be feeling this way already, but every day I'm thinking more and more of where I want to go next.

I've been giving some serious thought into applying for a day position in post/antepartum/nursery (in my hospital they combine all three), but I'm afraid that if I go to an area like that which focus' only on the mother/baby that I might get stuck in womens health if I don't like it. I'm not really sure what I am interested in yet, I guess I just need to find my niche.

My question is, do any of you have any experience with specializing in one area and then being able to move back to acute care/med-surg areas later on if you wanted to? I've also put some consideration into OR nursing as well, but it's the same issue, if I find that I don't like it, will I be stuck?

(please don't move this post!) :)

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    • Featured Replies

    I don't think this early in your career that you will be stuck. If you stay in one area a few years then decide to change it may become an issue.

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    • Experts

    Agree - you are still fairly new so I wouldn't worry about specializing and then being pigeon-holed.

    Good luck.

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    No, I don't think you should worry. All areas of nursing involve skills that are important NO MATTER what area you work in: critical thinking, multi-tasking, patient education, etc. Sure, would you need orientation to a different specialized area? Yes. But the skills that come only with experience, well, hopefully you will have. Plus, you might love the mother/baby unit and never leave!

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    • Experts

    A short stint in a specialized area won't erase your previous experience and skills. However, the longer you spend in a specialized area, the harder it is to adapt to a totally different type of specialty.

    I wouldn't let that fear stop you from trying something that interests you... but as months turn into years, it's something to consider into your career-planning.

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    even pregnant women can be sick with other things so learning to assess them will carry over. Try a change

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    • Author

    Thanks everyone for your input and advice. Makes me feel better about going for it. :)

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    I think the specialties that are outside of acute care (like mine, school nursing) might be a higher risk of limiting future mobility than a different, but still inpatient acute care, specialty. I think you are fine to give mother/baby a shot and still have some options if it's not your cup of tea :)

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