Which specialties are fast paced?

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Hi, I'm a CNA and pre-nursing student.. I LOVE when work is extremely busy and all the call lights are going off and I have to run around to get my work done. I hate when there's nothing to do and I have my books done so I just stand around. When I become a nurse I'd really like to work in a fast paced environment too.

Which specialty area do you think would be a good fit for me? I'm just asking to get an idea - I know I may change my mind later on :)

Emergency Room nursing maybe?

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

ICU is very busy. I work in Cardiology/Pulmonary and i feel like i don't have 2 seconds to sit down. I honestly think any floor you go to you are going to be running around like a chicken with your head cut off.

Nursing can be a very busy/fast paced position, so i wouldn't worry about getting something where you are going to be sitting on your butt all day.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Trauma, Transplant.

I agree with Jenni811. I think anywhere you go, you'll be running around.

I work night shift and it's a little more calm than on day shift. The reason being that there's no ancillary services, doctor's rounding and wanting to do little procedures at the bedside and (the biggest reason, I think) family members constantly coming in and out. BUT... I work trauma ICU, so when somebody really critical rolls in, it's nuts. I love crazy nights in the ICU and ED because the night goes by so fast and you feel like you earned your paycheck. :)

I would recommend a med/surg floor for at least one year (when I worked day shift on med/surg when I first started, it was pretty hopping, too), and then ICU, or even ED if it's a fairly good sized hospital.

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Specializes in OB/GYN,PHN, Family Planning.

I worked L&D for 10 yrs -never a dull moment!

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I do med/surg oncology hematology on day shift... I rarely sit down or have lunch. It's very busy.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.

good fast paced or bad fast paced ?

a well managed ED is good fast paced , as is a well run Critical care area ...

some rehab settings while not especially 'fast' are hard work in a 'good ' sense and keep the staff busy ...

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Hemodialysis is a fast-paced specialty too. I worked it for 5 years; dropped 20# in the first few months(lots of bending, reaching, and fast walking)!

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Specializes in OR; Telemetry; PACU.

I work in a very busy OR. It's a different kind of busy than say med/surg. I think the OR attracts that ADD/ADHD type. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Long term care is constantly fast paced. Meds, meds, more meds, a couple of falls and a mountain of paperwork. Oh and lots of amazing patients.

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Specializes in ER.

I work in ED and that is exactly why I enjoy it because like you, I'd rather work in a fast paced setting.

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I love working in the ED. Time flies by when you are on the go all of your shift. It's not just the business, but the constant shifting of priorities that I love- suddenly your sickest patient is your stablest patient and is being moved to another room because you need the bed right by the nurses' station for your new sickest patient. Love it.

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Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

I work on an ortho/neuro floor. It is very busy. I have floated to other units and they are all just as crazy. I have had appointments in some outpatient facilities and you could tell that the nurses were super busy. I don't think you will have any problem with what you are looking for. Aides sometimes have downtime. I ave never had downtime as a nurse. There is just too much charting for that.

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