2 Years After Getting BSN...Now what?

[ICUguy0122]

I have been out of school for almost two years now. In my short time I spent 21 months in a fast-paced, high acuity surgical ICU at a level 1 trauma center, and now I have spent the past 3 months travel nursing to gain more perspective on nursing nationwide. While I am finding pleasure in learning how nursing functions around the country, I still am drawn to a desire to do more with my education.

I am searching to help advance this world where we are dealing with some really messed up situations. I hate seeing policies and circumstances that force underprivileged individuals to not be able to have the best possible care. I hate knowing that I have all this potential and feel that it is not being fully utilized. I really want my career to be about giving back as much as I possibly can to as many as I possibly can.

Lately I have been toying with ideas of going into law, politics, or really anything that has a more of a global impact than bedside nursing. I have also considered CRNA, FNP, ACNP, teaching and nursing informatics. I used to be on an informatics committee at my previous hospital and have always been very tech-savvy. What I am searching for now is more purpose in this wonderful career that I have chosen. When i think about how I most want to impact the world of nursing, I find myself dreaming of having a more global impact than a local impact. How I can reach the most people and make the biggest impacts?

I appreciate any and all input on directions I could go to feel more fulfilled.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It really cheers me up to encounter young talented nurses who are committed to becoming future leaders. We need you! It seems that your ultimate goal is to make a HUGE difference on a very large scale.... but this isn't going to happy right away. You need to begin

I strongly urge you to become involved in ANA via your local/state/national nursing association. This is our political organization that supports our lobbying efforts at all governmental levels. They also jump in to support local causes - such as the immediate surge of support that was provided to the nurses involved in our infamous "Winkler County" case here in TX. The tri-level membership is not expensive. I have mine on auto-pay each month.. ~ $34. Believe me, they will welcome your contributions & you'll have an opportunity to network with other nurse leaders who are also involved in shaping our political landscape.

On the job front - I advise you to begin stepping up and volunteering to become involved in those "extra" activities that are needed to improve the work environment & ensure effective governance. Let your manager know you're interested in participating in committees, task forces, etc. There are plenty of opportunities.

Education-wise? An MSN is essential for aspiring nurse leaders because this is the basic requirement for leadership positions. Please note - MSN degrees in a "practice" field (CCRN, NP, CNM, etc) focus on patient care rather than leadership. In my organization, the most common leadership MSNs are in Nursing Admin, Quality/Patient Safety and Education. It's not unusual for CNOs to have doctorates.

Whatever you do, keep your eyes on the goal and be persistent. In the words of Mother Theresa "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments"

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Columbia University used to have a master's program in international nursing. I don't know if it still exists. One of its grads worked in Iraq after fall of Saddam. He was instrumental in setting up new health care system in that country.

[db2xs]

Love your post. I think if you really want to make a change, it has to be from the policy side, so anything that gets you working in that is gold.

Regarding an international impact, I think that is just as equally rad. International Red Cross, Medicins Sans Frontieres are the most global I can think of.