5 Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Nursing Specialty for You
The word "specialist" has a nice ring to it, right? When we specialize in something, whether it is relates to a skill, a company, or hobby, we have knowledge that is above and beyond the base knowledge of a particular topic. Becoming a nurse is certainly special. However, specializing in a specific area can boost your resume and fatten your salary. It can benefit you like switching from ordinary scrubs, to super comfortable and versatile cheap urbane scrubs. When choosing a particular area to specialize in, here are some tips that can help you to make the right choice:
1. Consider your ideal job location
Based on your specialty, you could work in a wide variety of locations, including:
• airplanes
• ambulances
• homes
• hospitals
• prisons
• retirement homes
• schools
There are a few key considerations to make. Depending on the area where you want to work, certain specialties may be in greater demand. Another issue is that working in certain places tends to be more stressful than working in others. For instance, working in a prison or retirement home would be more stressful than working in a school. Thus, this is yet another important consideration that you should make.
2. Get advice from nurses in certain specialties
It is important to get a perspective from nurses who have experience in a certain specialty. They can provide you with some "street-smarts" based on their own experiences. This will provide you with a more realistic perspective about the day-to-day realities of working within a particular specialty.
3. Consider stress-levels as a factor
Different specializations have different stress levels. Many people make the error in assuming that stress is always negative. In fact, some stress is good. Healthy stress makes our bodies and minds more alert, to deal with a particular situation. However, the amount of stress that different specialties create, can vary greatly. Quite honestly, if you cannot handle stress, then you should probably not be a nurse. However, if the stress of providing assistance during major surgery would be overwhelming for you, for example, then you should consider a different specialization.
4. Learn about the educational requirements
Earning a general RN degree requires about two years. Afterwards, specialization can require up to 3-4 more years of schooling, depending on the specialty.
5. Look before you leap
Just as companies test products before putting them on the market, you can also test certain nursing specialties before choosing one. Fortunately, numerous nursing programs provide this chance. Methods of testing include:
• day-long courses
• hands-on training
• job-shadowing
You might be surprised about the results of testing. You could become less interested in specialties that you initially favored, and more interested in specialties that you initially dismissed.
Whether you are starting your nursing schooling or have already become an RN, your next option can include training for a particular specialty. The aforementioned tips can help you to select the best specialty for you. Make a special effort when selecting a nursing specialty!
1. Consider your ideal job location
Based on your specialty, you could work in a wide variety of locations, including:
• airplanes
• ambulances
• homes
• hospitals
• prisons
• retirement homes
• schools
There are a few key considerations to make. Depending on the area where you want to work, certain specialties may be in greater demand. Another issue is that working in certain places tends to be more stressful than working in others. For instance, working in a prison or retirement home would be more stressful than working in a school. Thus, this is yet another important consideration that you should make.
2. Get advice from nurses in certain specialties
It is important to get a perspective from nurses who have experience in a certain specialty. They can provide you with some "street-smarts" based on their own experiences. This will provide you with a more realistic perspective about the day-to-day realities of working within a particular specialty.
3. Consider stress-levels as a factor
Different specializations have different stress levels. Many people make the error in assuming that stress is always negative. In fact, some stress is good. Healthy stress makes our bodies and minds more alert, to deal with a particular situation. However, the amount of stress that different specialties create, can vary greatly. Quite honestly, if you cannot handle stress, then you should probably not be a nurse. However, if the stress of providing assistance during major surgery would be overwhelming for you, for example, then you should consider a different specialization.
4. Learn about the educational requirements
Earning a general RN degree requires about two years. Afterwards, specialization can require up to 3-4 more years of schooling, depending on the specialty.
5. Look before you leap
Just as companies test products before putting them on the market, you can also test certain nursing specialties before choosing one. Fortunately, numerous nursing programs provide this chance. Methods of testing include:
• day-long courses
• hands-on training
• job-shadowing
You might be surprised about the results of testing. You could become less interested in specialties that you initially favored, and more interested in specialties that you initially dismissed.
Whether you are starting your nursing schooling or have already become an RN, your next option can include training for a particular specialty. The aforementioned tips can help you to select the best specialty for you. Make a special effort when selecting a nursing specialty!
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