Which field of nursing is the most technically hard?

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I'm thinking either ER or ICU since both fields require continuing education. What, in your experience, is the hardest nursing field?

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I'm thinking either ER or ICU since both fields require continuing education. What, in your experience, is the hardest nursing field?

What makes you think other areas of nursing don't require continuing education?

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Define "hard." Everyone has a different idea of what hard is. For each type of nursing, there will be some that think it's hard and others that couldn't imagine doing anything else. And most, if not all, nurses are required to taking continuing education to maintain their license; it doesn't matter if you work in the ED, ICU, LTC, clinic, school, home care, etc.

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I have worked in long term care for the past six months and do not require continuing education. It is offered, but not required as entry into the field; whereas, if you look at ER positions, many require a continuing education certificate or will send applicants to CE before letting them work on the job.

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Hard as in the specialty that requires the most amount of critical thinking and the field of nursing which has the fastest pace.

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What makes a field "technically hard"?

All nursing requires continuing education, we have to prove it each time we renew our license. This is individual specific. What one finds easy, others may dread. What one person may perform daily someone else may never see except on rare occasion.

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Ah, like TNCC, ACLS, PALS, etc? Yes, different areas may require stuff like that. Doesn't make it "harder." It's just a job requirement, like some employers require a BSN, 2 years experience in the same type of nursing, etc.). LTC may have a lower barrier to entry, but skilled LTC nurses have mad assessment skills, can deal with ridiculous families, artfully manage psych and dementia, and have time management skills that simply boggle the mind.

(You still need, most likely, continuing education hours in your state to maintain your license. Check with your BON.).

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Hard as in the specialty that requires the most amount of critical thinking and the field of nursing which has the fastest pace.

LTC is (usually) stable patients (until they need to go to the ER).

I think continuing education is being confused with extra certifications, which a facility will either require before considering or provide assistance with acquiring after hiring for a position. You will have your most unstable patients in the ICU/ER, but this will also depend on the facility that you work. I have had patients on the floor with drips that require the unit in other facilities. I have worked in the ICU as a float in small hospitals but would freak out if it was really an ICU with seriously critical patients.

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Hard as in the specialty that requires the most amount of critical thinking and the field of nursing which has the fastest pace.

May I ask ...what is the point of this question? Do you have a specific goal in mind? It might be easier to answer if you disclose what you plan to do with the information.

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I believe that the award for the most certifications needed is flight nursing.

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I believe that the award for the most certifications needed is flight nursing.

True that! Been there.

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Specializes in ED, psych.
I have worked in long term care for the past six months and do not require continuing education. It is offered, but not required as entry into the field; whereas, if you look at ER positions, many require a continuing education certificate or will send applicants to CE before letting them work on the job.

Ah, but my psych job also required a full month of CE before allowing me on the floor. Psych isn't exactly many people's dream job.

Nursing isn't a damn contest about "who has it harder/works harder/is smarter/etc." Nurses need all the support we can get, including from each other.

I could never do what LTC nurses do -- they're awesome!

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