4 answers
Azalea
Student
Palos Heights, Illinois
1
Question
Asked
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How does one explore options within the nursing field?
Once you have a nursing degree how do u choose what kind of nurse to be
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4 answers
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Exploring options within the nursing field and choosing a nursing specialization can be an exciting but challenging journey. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process:
**1. Self-Assessment:**
- Start by reflecting on your interests, strengths, and values. What aspects of nursing appeal to you the most? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, prefer working with specific patient populations, or enjoy research and education?
**2. Research Specializations:**
- Explore the various nursing specialties available, such as pediatric nursing, critical care, psychiatric nursing, nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner. Research the responsibilities, work settings, and typical patient populations for each specialization.
**3. Educational Requirements:**
- Understand the educational and certification requirements for each specialization. Some may require additional certification or advanced degrees, while others can be pursued with your initial nursing degree.
**4. Gain Experience:**
- To make an informed decision, gain practical experience through clinical rotations, internships, or entry-level nursing positions. This hands-on experience can help you discover your interests and strengths.
**5. Network and Seek Advice:**
- Connect with experienced nurses and mentors in different specialties. They can provide insights, share their experiences, and offer guidance on the pros and cons of various nursing paths.
**6. Continuing Education:**
- Consider furthering your education to specialize. Many specializations, such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator, require advanced degrees. Pursuing additional education can open up more career options.
**7. Shadowing and Observation:**
- If possible, shadow nurses working in the specialties you're considering. This firsthand observation can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of each specialization.
**8. Volunteer Work:**
- Volunteer at healthcare facilities or organizations related to your potential specialization. Volunteering can help you gain exposure and network while giving back to the community.
**9. Evaluate Your Goals:**
- Consider your long-term career goals. Think about whether you want a specialization that offers room for career growth, leadership opportunities, or the potential to work in diverse healthcare settings.
**10. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors:**
- If you're still in nursing school or considering further education, consult with academic advisors. They can provide information about specializations and the best educational paths to reach your goals.
**11. Balance Passion and Practicality:**
- Ultimately, choose a nursing specialization that aligns with your passions and interests while also considering factors like job availability, salary expectations, and job satisfaction.
Remember that the nursing field is broad and diverse, offering a wide range of specialties to suit different personalities and career objectives. Take your time exploring options, gathering information, and seeking advice to make an informed decision that will lead to a fulfilling and rewarding nursing career.
**1. Self-Assessment:**
- Start by reflecting on your interests, strengths, and values. What aspects of nursing appeal to you the most? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, prefer working with specific patient populations, or enjoy research and education?
**2. Research Specializations:**
- Explore the various nursing specialties available, such as pediatric nursing, critical care, psychiatric nursing, nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner. Research the responsibilities, work settings, and typical patient populations for each specialization.
**3. Educational Requirements:**
- Understand the educational and certification requirements for each specialization. Some may require additional certification or advanced degrees, while others can be pursued with your initial nursing degree.
**4. Gain Experience:**
- To make an informed decision, gain practical experience through clinical rotations, internships, or entry-level nursing positions. This hands-on experience can help you discover your interests and strengths.
**5. Network and Seek Advice:**
- Connect with experienced nurses and mentors in different specialties. They can provide insights, share their experiences, and offer guidance on the pros and cons of various nursing paths.
**6. Continuing Education:**
- Consider furthering your education to specialize. Many specializations, such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator, require advanced degrees. Pursuing additional education can open up more career options.
**7. Shadowing and Observation:**
- If possible, shadow nurses working in the specialties you're considering. This firsthand observation can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of each specialization.
**8. Volunteer Work:**
- Volunteer at healthcare facilities or organizations related to your potential specialization. Volunteering can help you gain exposure and network while giving back to the community.
**9. Evaluate Your Goals:**
- Consider your long-term career goals. Think about whether you want a specialization that offers room for career growth, leadership opportunities, or the potential to work in diverse healthcare settings.
**10. Seek Guidance from Academic Advisors:**
- If you're still in nursing school or considering further education, consult with academic advisors. They can provide information about specializations and the best educational paths to reach your goals.
**11. Balance Passion and Practicality:**
- Ultimately, choose a nursing specialization that aligns with your passions and interests while also considering factors like job availability, salary expectations, and job satisfaction.
Remember that the nursing field is broad and diverse, offering a wide range of specialties to suit different personalities and career objectives. Take your time exploring options, gathering information, and seeking advice to make an informed decision that will lead to a fulfilling and rewarding nursing career.
Ayuba David Isa
Sales
3
Answers
Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria
Updated
Ayuba’s Answer
Well, it depends on your interest of specialisation what you really want to do and will be happy in it. You can still be a Floor nurse and be happy but what do you find most captivating to do? Pediatrics? Surgery? Check and see where you fit best and make impact. Thank you.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Azalea !
Congratulations on your achievement of becoming a nurse ! It was well worth it !
There are so many different ways and places nurses can work in. Since you've already gone through nursing school and most likely chose a specialty, let's focus on the different ways that you can work as a nurse.
You can be a private nurse for one patient in the patients' home. In this scenario, the patient and their family are your employer. Usually very wealthy families do this and I have known a couple of people who have had this situation. Another avenue is to work for a school system by either accompanying the student all day in school or getting a position as a school nurse. There are always jobs in doctors offices, too. As well, your local Department of Health would be another option to work as a nurse.
About getting a job in a hospital, you would have to decide if that hectic paced environment is where you want to spend your days. Nursing homes are another option as well and unfortunately, most are understaffed so it can possibly be high stress, too. You can also apply for jobs in outpatient clinics where you concentrate on one patient with a team while the patient undergoes procedures and/or exams. After you gain experience, you can register with a Travel Nurse Agency and become a Travel Nurse. You can consider working as a Hospice Nurse in a hospice facility. Some other options would be Dialysis nurse, Nurse Case Manager, Teaching, and Telehealth remote work.
I would advise reading the job notices to see what employers are requiring as far as years of experience or any special certifications. You will come to some decisions as to what kind of nursing you want to do by exploring the environments I have mentioned and taking into consideration what type of work day you'd like to have. It is important to get a variety of experience and this an important decision to make. I know you'll make the choice that will be best for you.
Best wishes with your employment search !
Congratulations on your achievement of becoming a nurse ! It was well worth it !
There are so many different ways and places nurses can work in. Since you've already gone through nursing school and most likely chose a specialty, let's focus on the different ways that you can work as a nurse.
You can be a private nurse for one patient in the patients' home. In this scenario, the patient and their family are your employer. Usually very wealthy families do this and I have known a couple of people who have had this situation. Another avenue is to work for a school system by either accompanying the student all day in school or getting a position as a school nurse. There are always jobs in doctors offices, too. As well, your local Department of Health would be another option to work as a nurse.
About getting a job in a hospital, you would have to decide if that hectic paced environment is where you want to spend your days. Nursing homes are another option as well and unfortunately, most are understaffed so it can possibly be high stress, too. You can also apply for jobs in outpatient clinics where you concentrate on one patient with a team while the patient undergoes procedures and/or exams. After you gain experience, you can register with a Travel Nurse Agency and become a Travel Nurse. You can consider working as a Hospice Nurse in a hospice facility. Some other options would be Dialysis nurse, Nurse Case Manager, Teaching, and Telehealth remote work.
I would advise reading the job notices to see what employers are requiring as far as years of experience or any special certifications. You will come to some decisions as to what kind of nursing you want to do by exploring the environments I have mentioned and taking into consideration what type of work day you'd like to have. It is important to get a variety of experience and this an important decision to make. I know you'll make the choice that will be best for you.
Best wishes with your employment search !
Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Hi Azalea,
During nursing school, you will train in various specialities. You'll come across different types of patients and experience what it will be like working in different nursing fields.
During this time, you might find where you fit. I had no idea what type of nurse I wanted to be until my last year of nursing school.
There's plenty of articles out there on the various nursing specialities that go into details about what to expect. Here are some nursing specialities you can look up:
-medical surgical
-critical care (ICU)
-neonatal care (NICU)
-labor and delivery
-postpartum care
-pediatrics
-geriatrics
-surgery
-oncology
-dermatology
-flight nursing
-preoperative care
-postoperative care
-wound care
-cardiac care (telemetry)
-public health
-mental health
-forensics
-school nursing
-home care
-hospice/palliative care
-military nursing
There are way more nursing specialities! Nursing is very broad. If you still don't know what to do once you graduate, I would recommend starting anywhere that will hire you just to gain experience first.
During nursing school, you will train in various specialities. You'll come across different types of patients and experience what it will be like working in different nursing fields.
During this time, you might find where you fit. I had no idea what type of nurse I wanted to be until my last year of nursing school.
There's plenty of articles out there on the various nursing specialities that go into details about what to expect. Here are some nursing specialities you can look up:
-medical surgical
-critical care (ICU)
-neonatal care (NICU)
-labor and delivery
-postpartum care
-pediatrics
-geriatrics
-surgery
-oncology
-dermatology
-flight nursing
-preoperative care
-postoperative care
-wound care
-cardiac care (telemetry)
-public health
-mental health
-forensics
-school nursing
-home care
-hospice/palliative care
-military nursing
There are way more nursing specialities! Nursing is very broad. If you still don't know what to do once you graduate, I would recommend starting anywhere that will hire you just to gain experience first.