A Question About Specialties

1 Hello! I am a recently admitted nursing student (actual nursing classes start this Fall!) I am almost ashamed about how ignorant I am about what some consider common knowledge when talking about nursing specialties. Basically, how do nurses become specialized? Does it become a part of your job description (i.e. Jane Doe, RN + specialty) How long does it take to specialize in something? Thanks for any and all answers! I appreciate them!
Hopefully you will be exposed some of the different units and you will "click" with one. I knew when I did it that I did not want ED, ICU/PICU/MICU/SICU/NICU or L&D. That left the med/surg specialties. I fell into ortho and I love it. I have also spent some time in urology/gyne onc/plastics med surg. I like that too. You will find what you feel comfortable with as you go. I swore I wanted peds and that changed in a hurry with witnessing a child in distress. Couldn't do it on a regular basis.

Most new grads start out pretty level on the playing field. Apply to fields that interest you. If you can't get a job there, start where you can and after a year of experience keep applying in fields you're interested in. One you get a job, you'll get on the job training. Typically, clinical and classroom orientation, and usually have people, such as the charge nurse and educators, that you can go to with questions. Once you're comfortable and experienced you can start looking into certifications. Pretty much every specialty has their certification and their requirements to sit for the exam. I have my OCN (oncology certified nurse). I had to prove my experience, and take an exam. Now to maintain it I need to prove I've done so many oncology related CEU's. I can now say I'm Blondy, MSN, RN, OCN. My hospital offered an OCN review class which is helpful. It certainly makes you more marketable. There are tons of certifications out there. I also have ACLS and the ONS chemo/biotherapy provider cards.

How long does it take to specialize in something?