Where to start????????

imanedrn · May 19, 2008

Wait for your clinical experiences and the nurses you encounter to help guide you.

I ALWAYS thought I wanted to work in women's health. I loved my OB rotation. To my surprise, though, when I did my peds rotation, I loved it also! (I actually loved the cardiac babies most!)

After that, I was royally confused. I sat down and had a chat with my med/surg clinical instructor, with whom I'd developed a bond. Obviously, she was biased, but she told me about her experiences starting in med/surg. She said the main reason she was glad she did it was because, when she floated to other units, it took her less time to orient than other nurses who did not have the same broad med/surg background as she did. That sealed the deal for me!

I get bored easily and like trying new things. I realized that, even if I want to work in women's health or peds, I probably wouldn't stay in either area for a long time. With that realization, I decided med/surg would be an ideal place for me to start -- not only to "get my feet wet" but also to give me the broad background that I want in order to pursue my goals.

As a student, it is incredibly difficult to see the forest through the trees. Don't try making a decision on your own. Seek the advice of MANY nurses who you respect and admire. They will be your best sources of guidance. Although everyone will be biased to their specialty, listen to and understand why they chose to start and/or continue in that specialty. See if those views coincide or conflict with yours.

Also, take some time to look at what you long-term goals are. As I said, with me, I know I get bored easily and like trying many new things, so med/surg was (and still is!) an ideal starting point for me.

It's not that you can't go backwards or laterally (starting in one specialty and going to another), it's just that the learning curve is more steep if you don't have that broad background to rely on. I figured I'd get most of that out of the way early, which med/surg is helping me to do.

Good luck on your search and ultimate decision!

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 19, 2008

I always thought I would be an OB nurse. Until my last semester and the ICU talked to me about taking a job with them, they had my dream sched and the more I thought about it I thought why not. I could always transfer out if I didnt like it.

Fast FWD 6months I could not imagine being anywhere else!!! I love ICU. OB now has "my dream sched" and I passed. Maybe in a few years, but I am learning so much now and I just love the ratios and learning all the disease processes. I love it.

So my advice, just roll with it, keep your options open, dont be so focused on one area that you dismiss an opportunity that may be presented to you.