Wondering who has changed specialties

MizChelleRN · Oct 5, 2010

Well....good question!!!! I worked 12 years med-surg, renal/diabetic ed. Now (in recovery) I work in hemodialysis, so I guess....YEP, I stayed in the same "specialty"...renal....but wow, I cannot imagine doing med surg again, pushing and being around narcotics when my drug of choice was Dilaudid. My program is strong, but I don't want to think about the temptation again. Plus the stress of floor/hospital nursing really threatens my sobriety anyways. I think I am happier doing this whole other change of pace, clinic setting.

I think if I hadn't gotten this job in dialysis, substance abuse nursing would have been a good fit for me. But somehow I started my career in renal, am well versed in renal, and feel my knowledge about this system is "my place" in nursing. Found it by chance straight out of nursing school, but fit me well.

I'm curious though....if other ppl will relate their old specialty to their addiction and somehow trigger from it? Is that why you can't see doing labor and delivery anymore? Oh and I wouldn't say my contract prohibits me from going back, but for now I have that six month narc restriction and that makes me generally unhirable in med surg anyways.

LisaB19 · Oct 5, 2010

I don't know if physically I could do it anymore. Had a couple of bouts with a serious lung disorder and am not sure if I could survive a 12 hour shift!!!! Don't think I would find it a trigger anymore than working anywhere with opiates available.

LilRedRN1973 · Oct 5, 2010

Boy, did I!!! I went straight into ICU after nursing school and LOVED it. It was where I thought I belonged. I started working there after my first semester in nursing school as a tech, then moved into the Apprentice program. Worked for about a year prior to graduating nursing school as an Apprentice Nurse and felt very comfortable in a trauma/neuro ICU. When I was told I would not be allowed to work in critical care, I was devastated. It was all I knew.....I was in a lot of fear. I had NO idea where I would work because nothing else really interested and in my mind, I wasn't "good at anything else".

I ended up in dialysis because that is one of the few places a nurse on contract can work. I lasted a few months and realized that I HATED doing anything related to the kidneys....LOL. In school, it was my least favorite subject and my 6 week practicum was the Med-Neph floor, which I absolutely detested. How on earth did I end up doing dialysis....LOL!!! Of course, the pay would have been great, around $35, had I stayed, but there are some things just not worth the money. That brings me to my current job, where I've been for about 14 months. Psychiatric nursing. And I LOVE it! I look forward to work every single day and it's where I feel I belong. In fact, I think it was probably all part of my HP's plan. But I never would have come here willingly. I had to come "kicking and screaming". LOL. I had this preformed misconception that it was where old nurses came to die or something silly like that. I am never bored and am kept on my toes by my patients. We have a large clientele who are dual-diagnosis so my CD background comes in very helpful! I am not exposed to my drug of choice, which was opiates, which is a bonus.

I see myself being here for a long time, even after being off contract. This is where I belong. I miss the ICU only for all the cool machines, toys, and technology. Oh, and the total patient care...I loved the bed baths, etc. I loved taking complete care of my patients. But I didn't love how it left me with nothing to bring home to my own 3 children, my husband, and myself. I love working 8 hours a day, having an hour for lunch, being home by 5pm every day, never working holidays, etc. It's great! My rheumatoid arthritis appreciates all that as well....teehee! So all in all, this was a gift....it just came wrapped in very ugly paper