My first choice was made from what I loved the most in nursing school rotations. Then I went to a speciality because a good friend of mine did and recommended it. Then I experienced a new speciality as a travel nurse and absolutely loved it. I've floated to several other specialities. That's how I have in the past evaluated choices and how I plan in the future to evaluate choices.

I started off in LTC as an LPN. Then went to community health in order to expose myself to patients of varied age groups. As an RN, I have worked in utilization review (mainly because it is less stressful and it is M-F). I like it, but I wanted more of a challenge. I decided to try critical care. I love, love, love it! Every day is a learning experience for me. I enjoy the challenges of critical care nursing. Many times I go home physically and mentally exhausted, but proud of what I accomplished that day.

I was a medic on our base ambulance service that ran out of our Naval Hospital. That was my first exposure to Emergency Medicine. When I came back to the civilian world, I applied for Nursing school (a 3 year waiting list at that time) and began working at our trauma center as a tech. That was over 13 years ago and I've been there ever since. Finished nursing school in '99 and have had no desire to do any other kind of nursing. I couldn't do the floor or unit thing. I can't have anything routine.

You know cd, there is an enormous population of psych pts that come into the ED. Unfortunately, my exposure to them over the last 13 years has shown me that I'm not therapeutic enough to do that full time. You're a better woman than I am!

Leila--it's been a while since you posted this, but I felt I neede to put my 2 cents in. I worked hospice for 10 years. Inpatient and home hospice as a nurse, before developing the referral department. We started as a 9 bed inpt unit for AIDS patients and when I left our inpt unit held 20 pts, with an average daily census of 115 home hospice pts (not just AIDS). Our society makes a big deal @ having "Great" birth experiences, but noone likes to talk about death! EVERYONE dies! It was an honor and a privilege to be able to sit with someone and hold a hand while telling them it's OK to let go. Also to help families/ friends thru the transition. Best job I ever had!

The other job I fantasize about is Travel nursing...anyone want to share experiences? Any LPNs out there doing it??

 Since my last post, I have changed hospitals. Hospice did not turn out for me, but I got an interview just by leaving my resume and a note in the front office for HR. I got a call the next day. Doing PRN for a REAL hospital. Clean ( the old work place was filthy) professional, 9 dollars more an hour, no state taxes in NH, 6 miles from my house, less gas money.  I am getting enough work. Was very hard for me to learn all computer systems.  I still have a lot to learn, even after 25 years in psyc.  I am still in psyc and addiction. Guess it was meant to be. A 2 month orientation.

Older dogs can learn new tricks.

Now, I would like to sell some of my oil paintings and develop my life coach business.

I work in a small community hospital. That means that you know every job in the hospital because if your regular unit is slow or has a low census, you get pulled to another unit. I was working med/surg out of nursing school. OB was very busy and it was my turn to "float". I loved it. A position became open and I applied for transfer. I LOVE OB>

 Nursing school and clinicals were very stressful to me until the day I started my Pediatric rotation.  The stress was lower and the feeling of being comfortable in a role of nurse started the day I entered the pediatric unit.. Nursing school was still hard but I knew where my focus would be.  Now 22 years later I am still a Pediatric nurse and loving it!!!!!!!

 I started in med/surg as any good new grad does. The OB unit was busy and I got floated to the unit. I really loved it. When a position opened< i applied for ir and have been here ever since. That was 11 years ago.