This is a question that has been nagging me for quite some time.
Why is it so horrible for us to plan out our route? I want to become a NNP and as stated in a previous thread, infants are the only reason I chose nursing instead of completing a tech degree. From what I have seen on this board and a couple of others say, nursing students shouldn't choose their route before clinicals. But many pre-med programs allow students to choose their route beforehand. I even have a close friend who is a pre-med major and they are writing research papers about their route.
I would say med students do choose their specialty. That is the point of "the match". You rank your top programs (apply, interview, essay, letters of rec) and they rank you and a match means what it implies. The person applies to many programs in ONE chosen specialty, or 2 at the most.
Now considering that in 2015 and 2016 75% of students were "matched", then I would argue that the data tells us that md's DO choose their specialty.
Nursing is definitely a different process...you don't have to commit to a single specialty for your whole career.
But I will say, if you want NICU bad enough, your chances of getting it are proportional to your commitment to achieving it, because your knowledge, passion and skill can focus on this specialty. If you are going for med/surg, peds, icu etc, your investment is split.
We tend to go for multiple specialties because it feels less risky than investing your all in one specialty. But its this commitment that takes courage and will make you a desireable hire.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I thought I wanted to do peds in nursing school. After I was sure I never wanted to.
All people are saying is that having a goal is fine, but wants, needs, and opportunities may well change by the time you graduate so keep an open mind. Happens all the time with med students too. Sometimes the reality is very different from what you expect.
As far as a year in medsurg? Good background for sure, but I never did it and have survived as a nurse for 23 years. When I graduated they were laying off experienced nurses so I went a different route. Who knows what the situation will be when you graduate?
It is awesome to have an end-goal in mind and that will help you stay motivated throughout school. However, it is important to be flexible as needed. I learned this the hard way. I went to nursing school with the intention of eventually becoming either a CNM or NNP, as well. Upon graduation, I applied to NICU and L&D positions in three different states with no luck. I could not even get into a med-surg or tele floor at the time if my life depended on it. I did very well in school, had great references, and even knew hiring managers at my area hospitals. This was six years ago, so I'm not sure how the new grad job market is now, but I hope that it has improved! As a result of the less than ideal job market, I took quite the scenic route. I started out working in a primary care office, then moved into hospice for two years, and then into ER for the last three years. I have now been accepted into a CNM program and am back on track with my "end goal." It is not my intention to discourage you, but just to show you how flexibility is important and that there are many routes you can take to ultimately achieve your goal. Good luck!
IIt is not my intention to discourage you, but just to show you how flexibility is important and that there are many routes you can take to ultimately achieve your goal. Good luck!
Certainly why I dislike adults. They annoy the hell out of me and i will NEVER care for them as a RN. I would rather remain unemployed until I find a NICU job. ������
Doesn't sound like flexibility is the OP's strong suit but who knows.
Wow! Just WOW! It does indeed sound as though flexibility is not the OP's strong suit. Nor is attitude.
Hmmm... funny I hear plenty of adult care RNs and nursing students make absolute statements about never wanting to go anywhere near a NICU or peds or OB unit in their employment. Nobody wants to condemn them for that.
We only poo-poo people for not wanting to hop in the Adult Med-Surg trenches.
I am willing to do everything in my power to have placement in a Level III nicu even if that means I have to relocate or even get placement in a nursing residency program for NICU to gain experience.
OP is willing to move anywhere and work their way up. That sounds like flexibility exactly where it is needed.
C'mon, how many "I can't find a job new grad RN HELP" threads where do you see where an OP says "and I'm willing to move anywhere and work my way in." Usually it is, "I want day shift OB at one of five hospitals and I've applied to all five HELP!"
That said, if OP ends up finding NICU not to their liking and retains a dislike for adult care, OP may find nursing isn't for them.
Not everyone can just up and move. People have spouses with jobs, or ex-husbands or wives with legal rights to see their kids.
Most new grads I see are varied, you can't paint then all with a broad stroke.
Absolutely. I couldn't have moved due to a spouse, so I had to be willing to commute and work weird shifts to get the type of job I wanted as a new grad.
The point of many is the OP can't expect to achieve their stated goal of a NICU position, so they must be flexible in their choice of positions.
The part of my response about new grads and moving was to state that the OP is flexible in a way that will most likely allow them to reach their goals.
Usually the people who have the most trouble finding jobs are unwilling to be flexible in two of the following: willing to move, willing to accept any unit, willing to work any shift. Personality and a reputable program are additional factors.
Hmmm... funny I hear plenty of adult care RNs and nursing students make absolute statements about never wanting to go anywhere near a NICU or peds or OB unit in their employment. Nobody wants to condemn them for that.
We only poo-poo people for not wanting to hop in the Adult Med-Surg trenches.
OP is willing to move anywhere and work their way up. That sounds like flexibility exactly where it is needed.
C'mon, how many "I can't find a job new grad RN HELP" threads where do you see where an OP says "and I'm willing to move anywhere and work my way in." Usually it is, "I want day shift OB at one of five hospitals and I've applied to all five HELP!"
That said, if OP ends up finding NICU not to their liking and retains a dislike for adult care, OP may find nursing isn't for them.
It's not always what you say, but rather how you say it. If I saw a post that said the thought of taking care of babies/peds/OB patients made them sick, I'd have a similar response. It's one thing to have a preference, but entirely another to have a strong aversion (and refusal) to working with any other population. I can, and will continue to "poo poo" those sorts of attitudes.
Thanks so much for bringing this topic up! I feel the same way, and have been at the receiving end of what feels like animosity from other nurses other professionals in the field when I mention that I plan on specializing in midwifery even though I just started nursing school. Not just on forums but in real life volunteering at hospitals and at school. I would never have applied to nursing school if it wasn't the prerequisite for midwifery. It's seem like in every other profession, this focus on a goal is welcomed and encouraged, whereas in nursing it is interpreted as a lack of commitment or simply carelessness. For instance I doubt students with aspirations to study law get slack for studying philosophy or anthropology.
I'm not sure about NNP but I know for CNM degrees a lot of schools have changed the requirement for L&D expierence and allow all sorts of nursing experience, even as a doula or CLC. good luck to you and I hope you maintain your aspirations to follow what it is you love and want to do despite discouragement from others.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
Huh? Please use the quote function so we know to whom you are responding. Thanks.