So, have you thought of the specialty you would like to work in?
I knew what kind of nurse I wanted to be before I even started nursing school. I was a paramedic, so emergency nursing was all I thought about and all I wanted. I applied exclusively to emergency departments and was offered a position in several hospitals. So, throughout my nursing career, I have worked only in emergency departments; both in the pediatric and adult emergency world, and honestly, love them both.
If you are undecided, getting your start in med/surg is a marvelous way to learn and grow... but I will be the first to tell you that if you are passionate about a particular nursing area, go for it.
Apply! Apply!! Apply!!!
What is the worst that can happen? You don't get the job?
But... what if you did!!! I promise you will kick yourself if you do not apply, take a nursing position that is not exactly what you desire, and then find out a classmate applied to the specialty you really yearned for and now is employed in 'your' vocation.
There are a lot of websites with quizzes that can assist you in picking your career path in nursing (I made one just for fun, see below). They are entertaining. However, the absolute best way to discover your passion, IMO, is to:
1. recognize it during clinicals in nursing school, or
2. start in a general area (Hello med/surg) and explore other departments that your hospital has to offer, and then (yes, again) apply! If you fall in love with med/surg, fantastic, but know that you can always change it up.
Isn't nursing grand?
