What is the best nursing job to pursue? (eg. ER nurse, nurse-midwife, etc...)?

i'm a graduating nursing student and i was wondering what kind of nursing job should i target. (i sometimes get flustered when im pressured.)

also, is it advisable to take post graduate studies immediately after graduation? so that when i apply jobs they'll see a master's degree in nursing. or is it not really necessary during my first few years on the job?

please also consider salaries.

one answered specialties. do i study again to gain specialties?

Get your NP degree. Do it now while school is "fresh" on your mind and you will not regret it one bit. I did the med-surg thing for 3 years... ER for 2... hourly wages are still just that - HOURLY! Either consider the NP route (or, better yet, CRNA school after you've had 1-2 years critical care experience) or even pharma sales. It depends on which part of the country you live, but NPs can clear 70-80/year; and if you do prn jobs maybe 1-2 weekends per month, you can easily clear 6 figures/year.

Just do it now and get it behind you... it's a term entitled "delayed gratification." If you're relatively young, you have PLENTY of time to make up those TWO lost years of income (if you do NP or CRNA); you can also work during NP school - as most do - then you're not out that much at all.

Once you start making money as a nurse, it will be super hard to return to school.

Surgical nurse if you have the stomach for it. It's a very well paid job.

Think specialties, that's where the big $$ are.

Pretty much anything you specialize in you'll get training on the job after graduation.

There's no rush to get a Master's degree, you wont' need it unless you plan to be a nurse practitioner or a nursing instructor.

The best job to pursue depends on you. What is it that you like? What do you enjoy? Is there one area of nursing that you are particularly passionate about? If so....THAT is the job to pursue.