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As a registered nurse. Do you think it's better to stay in one field of nursing?
I feel like it would be best to expand my horizon in different fields of nursing, but not entirely sure of the stress it might add. #nursing-education #nursing #RN
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5 answers
Barry Eugene Graham, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN
Nursing Faculty - The College of the Florida Keys, Adjunct Online Nursing Professor Graduate Studies - Florida National University , Retired Flight Attendant & Doctoral Graduate.
25
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Key West, Florida
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Barry Eugene’s Answer
From my humble point of view, I would say no. Nursing is a very unique and diverse career with a plethora of opportunities. While many may have preferences for certain clinical, leadership, educational, or general duties. There are many careers within the profession itself. I always believe in expanding one’s horizons, stretch the limit, reach for the stars, do not allow yourself to become stagnant. As a professional nurse education is for a lifetime and with that there comes the potential for transformation into other areas of nursing. I’ve worked in many nursing areas and each one had special takeaways that contributed to my professional development. Take a personal inventory of your talents and perform a self assessment , see what you like and you can line those talents up with the area of nursing that may be attractive to you. Best wishes to you in all of your endeavors.
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Brittnie’s Answer
Hi Dexter! My answer is no! The reason being is, as a new grad nurse your goal is to get a job! Its not uncommon to see job posting requiring at least 1-2 years of experience and your sitting there wondering how you fill ever find one as a new grad. BUT you will. It likely will not be in the field that you initially had planned, UNLESS you are working in that field and have connections prior as a CNA, LPN, or another position in that field. HOWEVER , the silver lining is, that you will get a job and you will learn things in another field that will help prepare you and give you foundational skills, knowledge, and confidence. During this process what often times happens is many nurses I know including myself end up falling on love with a part of nursing they never expected to and you are so appreciative that life happened just the way it was supposed to. I thought I would end up in pediatric oncology. I wanted to work with kids, and I fell in love with helping the sickest kids at my clinicals at Childrens Hospital on the cancer floor. Well, I couldn't get a job on that floor right away, so I ended up getting a job in home health. It wasn't my first choice, but I have learned so many skills from home health. I learned trach's, vent's, g-tubes, wound care... ect. These skills helped me get hired in my next position working oncology, and believe it or not there in oncology I ended up falling in love with my hospice patients who came in... and that led me to become an expert nurse in the hospice field now. I wouldn't trade hospice nursing for anything else.... and I laugh when I thought I would be working with the far opposite age group in a completely different area of nursing. And I love the fact that if I ever wanted to work in any other area of nursing, I could because of the skills I mastered in home health, i have great IV skills and can access a port-o-cath for cancer patients no problem. Every field you enter will teach you valuable skills and lessons and the bottom line is the same, you are serving your community in an amazing way helping those in a less fortunate time of their life and it feels good. Hope this helped!
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Rachael’s Answer
I agree with the two professionals above! Do not limit yourself. When I first became a nurse I was convinced I would be the best pediatric nurse in the world... needless to say, I ended up working in an Urgent Care that caters to mostly elderly patients. From there, I went on to become a nurse in an emergency department and I found my passion! I truly LOVE emergency medicine. The fast pace and team centered environment is something I always wanted in a career. It gave me an opportunity to learn a little bit about everything and now I am able to use what I learned as a nurse to take care of my own patients. Nursing is just one of those careers where you have the option to always learn something new.
Thank you Rachael for your response. It truly has inspired me to venture into the many options of nursing.
Dexter
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Julie’s Answer
Never limit yourself. Find your passion and reach for the stars.
Mukuka Mulenga
Nurse, Nurse educator, Dialysis nurse , MPH.
4
Answers
Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
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Mukuka’s Answer
It depends on the individual's goals and preferences. Some nurses may prefer to stay in one field and specialize in that area, while others may prefer to branch out and explore different areas of nursing. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which path is best for them. But when you are trying to find your feeting it's best to explore other fields and have an experience this will help you choose the best field to specialise in.