If you are considering an advanced education in the nursing field, you probably have a lot of questions about where this occupation could take you. Not all nurses are the same, and choosing just one area for a specialty can be extremely difficult. From long-term care to emergency room nursing and everything in between, learning about different options available is crucial to your search for the nursing specialty that is best suited to your strengths. Here are some tips to help you determine which area of nursing to specialize in:

Tip #1: Choose a specialty based on how you handle stress.

Do you thrive in a high-energy environment? If so, working in surgery could be right for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed environment, becoming a staff nurse at a hospice is might be a better fit. Stress is a huge part of every nursing job, but different people find different situations stressful. For example, you might be under too much pressure to become a nurse that requires a lot of technical skill. Alternatively, you could become bored in a nursing specialty where you do not have much responsibility. When choosing to specialize, keep in mind the stress you may experience performing the day-in-day-out responsibilities of the profession.

Tip #2: Think about where you want to work.

Not every kind of nurse works in a hospital. According to your specialty, you could also work a number of other places, including in school, in prisons, on an ambulance, for a sports team, or in patients' homes. Where would you like to work most? Who do you want to help? This also relates to the "pressure" aspect of a job. For instance, working in a prison could be much more stressful than working in a school. If possible, visit some of the available facilities to get an idea of the atmosphere.

Additionally, although nurses are in high demand across the country, it is also important to remember that certain specialties may be in higher demand in certain areas. Think about your dream location and then do a bit of research to find out where you could potentially get a job and what specialties are in demand.

Tip #3: Test the waters.

Many nursing programs offer short, voluntary opportunities to test out certain specialties. You may not get class credit, but you should take advantage of these options whenever possible. You might find out quickly that there are certain nursing responsibilities you dislike and certain responsibilities you enjoy. By testing the waters, you can figure that out before you spend a few months or years training to become a type of nurse not compatible with your likes and dislikes.

Testing the waters includes job-shadowing, hands on training and mini daylong courses. Ask plenty of questions. The more questions you ask the more information you will have when you make a final decision in choosing a specialty.

Tip #4: Research education requirements.

If you are interested in nursing, you will probably spend your first few years in college working toward a general nursing degree. After that, all of the medical majors will go their separate ways. Some nursing specialties, because of their more technical or high-pressure nature, require more training than others. In addition, not every college offers every program. Pick a specialty based on how long you want to be in school, as well as what is offered by colleges you are interested in attending.

Tip #5: Talk to nurses in prospective fields.

Once you have narrowed your list to your three or four top choices, interview some working nurses. Come up with some basic questions, then contact nurses in your potential fields to ask more questions about each specialty. If you do not personally know nurses in these fields, talk to a nursing professor or simply call your local hospital. Most people are more than willing to take a few minutes of their time to answer some questions either in person or over the phone. Asking questions is a great way to figure out if this is what you really want to do.

Nursing is a broad field, and it is rare to know immediately in which field you would like to specialize. The key is to do your homework. By learning about the different nursing fields available, you can choose one that will be right for you. Remember, you can also change your course of study or go back to school for certification in a second specialty, but with a little research you can hopefully make the right decision the first time around.

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About Author: Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to nurses and the nursing profession such as Nursing Uniforms | Nursing Scrubs