Are You Where You Thought You'd Be?

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Hello,

I'm currently heading into my first semester of nursing school (ADN/BSN). A lot of people have been asking me where I hope to end up working, or if I would pursue further specialization. Honestly, I'm not really sure at this point. I have always had a special place in my heart for elderly people, so a long-term care facility might be the place for me.

My question is, did you have a goal of a specialty in mind when you began your education, or did your goals evolve over time during school and/or over the course of your career?

If you had a specific goal in mind from the beginning, did you end up there?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I wanted to be in long term care from the moment I enrolled in an LVN program 12 years ago. I worked in long term care for six years before leaving that specialty in a ball of burnout in 2012.

My stint in LTC provided a good learning experience, but I'd rather not work in that sector again unless I needed to avoid impending homelessness.

I am now several layers removed from direct patient care: I'm a case manager for an insurance company who works from home. I'm not where I thought I'd be. Actually, this is better than where I thought I'd be...

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I didn't have a goal in mind when I left nursing school; I ended up in Pediatrics, a specialty where I thought I wouldn't be good in...when in fact I have been pretty good in and have continued to be, 10+ years into my career.

I work in a Level I Trauma PediED; I started out in an ED as a tech 15+ years ago and enjoyed the ED. I never thought I wound end up back in Emergency Nursing, but I have been able to combine the two and enjoy it immensely.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Pre-nursing school, I thought I wanted L&D, with the eventual goal of becoming a midwife. HATED that rotation. Not the best fit for someone who is intimidated by little screaming burritos.

I enjoyed my psych and med-surg rotations the most in school, and I'm interviewing next week for a position that combines both. This will either be terrible or awesome. Probably both. I doubt this will be my end goal.

I've always had an interest in forensic nursing, so I'm getting my SAFE certification now, but am not working in that capacity yet. I also would love to be an educator and work with nursing students, once I am really solid in my own skills and knowledge.

I feel like my goals are constantly evolving. The more I learn, the more I want to try. That sounds a little scattered to me, but I figure as long as my curiosity opens more doors than it closes, I'm in the right field.

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I am not where I thought I would be while I was in school. I wanted a hospital job but when I graduated was a tough job market and I ended up in LTC. Since then I am exactly where I wanted to be - the DON of a very good SNF. I'm very lucky to be one of very few people that truly loves my job.

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Nope.

I'm where I never thought I would be, a SN like my mom.

I thought I would be Peds/Onc in nursing school, until I realized I hated Peds. (I work in a HS now I can handle ages 12 and up, no worries.)

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Specializes in Flight Nursing, Emergency, Forensics, SANE, Trauma.

I thought I wanted to be in L&D.

I couldn't have been more wrong. I was so ungodly miserable in my maternity rotations. I despise uteruses and all things uterus.

I also had suspected I'd be an ER nurse because I had been an EMT for years before nursing school. Lo and behold here I am!

I feel like many of my classmates changed their minds about specialties when they actual went through clinical rotations. Many have changed their minds since starting full time work.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am not where I expected to be, but where I am is better than I expected! But part of the reason for the mismatch is my own squirrely brain and my need to do everything/be everywhere, which kind of interferes with envisioning my future. Probably why I love the ER: it's such an ADD-type environment. Not that I truly have ADD, just something I think of as "easily bored syndrome." :)

I am truly in my "dream job," seriously. A few years ago in grad school, as part of a professional development course segment we had to write our ideal job description, then develop a resume that would match it. After I applied for my current position, I remembered the assignment and went back to look at it. The similarities are uncanny! I love it.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

I figured I would work med-surg in the hospital, but I was not prepared for the difference in workload between student and RN. As a student, I had around 8 patients, with lots of help from the patient techs. As a nurse, I found myself playing catch-up ALL the time!

Private duty home care fits me exactly. I do mostly kids with respiratory issues, so a lot of trachs & vents.

I don't have "easily bored syndrome." Rather, I get distracted SO easily that a more circumscribed atmosphere is much better for me.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

When I started out, I was not sure "where" I wanted to be. I burned out of a couple different positions, never was interested in management, and sort of tried different things. No place seemed like "home". I work a job that is tolerable, and when it isn't, I leave. No good answers here. I know some people do find a niche. Some people do work up to management....or a specialized area.

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Pre-nursing school, I thought I wanted L&D, with the eventual goal of becoming a midwife. HATED that rotation. Not the best fit for someone who is intimidated by little screaming burritos.

I enjoyed my psych and med-surg rotations the most in school, and I'm interviewing next week for a position that combines both. This will either be terrible or awesome. Probably both. I doubt this will be my end goal.

I've always had an interest in forensic nursing, so I'm getting my SAFE certification now, but am not working in that capacity yet. I also would love to be an educator and work with nursing students, once I am really solid in my own skills and

I feel like my goals are constantly evolving. The more I learn, the more I want to try. That sounds a little scattered to me, but I figure as long as my curiosity opens more doors than it closes, I'm in the right field.

What does forensic nursing entail and what do you learn with the SAFE certification? That's right up my alley.

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Specializes in L&D.

I guess.

As a new grad my top two choices were L&D and NICU. I got an L&D job but didn't LOVE it like I thought I would.

I took some time off after having my son and then worked mother/baby.

But I recently got a job offer for the NICU!

I hope I love it as much as I think I will!

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