[nursing4kids]

Anybody out there still searching for their "nitch" in nursing? I recently got a staff job at a local hospital learning adult m/s. The jury is still out as all I've ever done since graduation is peds with cross training to NICU growers/feeders. I'm missing the kids and the 4 to 1 patient ratio! Yesterday I had 7 adult patients! I feel like all I'm doing is trying to "keep-up" and "beat the clock". I do enjoy my adult patients as far as being able to communicate with them, etc. But I'm just not sure if this is where I want to be or not. In my 4 years of nursing I've had 3 staff jobs (I'm on my 4th) worked in a clinic for 3 months and did about 3 months of home health. Does it get any better?

[Shed13911]

I have been a nurse for 26 years now. I started out working in a nursing home for 2 years. I knew that is not where I was meant to stay. I then did L&D for 10 years. I love that very much but got a divorce and moved away. I decided to go back to school and get my RN after being an LVN for 17 years. It was a very good decision for me. I did Peds for 6 years in a NICU stepdown unit. After a bad car wreck, I now do pedi telephone triage. I love what I do now. I don't think it is a bad idea changing jobs until you find the one that feels right for you. It is alo great on a resume to show you have worked in several different areas. Experience is great. You need to love what you do and enjoy going to work everyday. That is what makes nursing such a wonderful field. There are so many fields to try until you find the one that is right for you!! Good luck in finding your place in this great field. We were all put here for different reasons!

[kerri212]

I still haven't found my niche either, so I completely understand! I'm on job #3 since I graduated two years ago, and still not satisfied. I wish I could give you some advice, but the only thing I can tell you is what people tell me: If you're looking, you'll find it.

Have you ever heard of career counseling for nurses? I've tried to research this but haven't had any luck. I think it would be very helpful as there are many nurses like us who can't find whats right for them. It is such a broad field but it's so hard to figure it out. Well, good luck!

[renerian]

I think for some they know right away and for others it takes some time. I admire you for working with kids as I could never do that.

Is there something you are drawn too? Can you go back to peds?

renerian