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Discussion

career advice

Hello everyone. I am in my 3rd semester of nursing school, and will be graduating in 6 months. Problem is...I haven't found anything I like. I don't know if it is because of the clinical experiences, or if I just don't like it. I am feeling very discouraged. I hated MedSurg first semester, was very bored. Got to go to OR, Pedi-OR, Pedi floor, and OB/Gyn...so far I am bored. Did this happen to anyone else?

Featured Replies

  • Guides

I find it interesting that all of those experiences "bore" you.

Four words... LEVEL THREE TRAUMA CENTER. :)

Seriously, if you are "bored" by all types of floor nursing, you should try an ER. Look into getting a job as a tech in a large ER in a large teaching hospital. A University hospital. That oughta do the trick.

  • Experts

Level I is the trauma center, similar to what you see on tv.

Level III is a little community hospital ER for the most part.

Level I in Trauma, but Level III for Nursery ICU, etc. for the more severe cases. (opposite classifications for the more critically ill)

  • Experts

Being a student anywhere can be boring simply because you aren't fulfilling ALL of the demands that a nurse would feel taking that patient assingment. Unitl you actually graduate and start taking a full assignment on your own, you are only fulfilling a portion of the role. Keep that in mind. Read some of the posts of the recent graduates struggling with the challenges of making that transition from student to staff nurse periodically if necessary to remind yourself of that fact. Being a real nurse is harder than it looks -- even through the eyes of a student participating in the care of a few patients.

What type of nursing did you imagine yourself doing after graduation? Have you had the chance to experience some of those types of experiences? If so, what was different from your fantasies? Clarifying your expectations and critically analyzing your previous conceptions (misconceptions?) might help you to better compare the reality with your pre-nursing school fantasies.

You may simply have not found your niche yet. Again I ask, "What exactly are you looking for? What type of work do you enjoy?"

You might not really fall in love with any bedside nursing role. That's OK, though that may be where you have to start your career. You might be happier in an advanced practice role of some type ... or in some role outside the hospital setting. It may take quite a while to find your niche. That's the beauty of nursing -- there are so many different possibilities.

Finally, maybe nursing is not for you. Is there another career that appeals to you more? If the problem is just "bordom," that can be fixed by working in a role that will provide you with the right stimulation. You can probably find such a role within nursing. However, if you really don't like nursing and/or want to use your talents to serve people as a nurse ... then maybe it truly is not a good fit for you.

llg

  • Author

Thanks for the replies. It is not that I am bored because there is not enough work to do...trust me, there is plenty to do. I go home with sore feet after clinicals most days...but I am not one to sit down. I like to stay busy. But, it just isn't fun to me...maybe not what I expected, not sure. We don't get a lot of opportunity to have any specialty experience. Last semester we were allowed one day in a specialty of our choice...I chose ER, they gave me OR instead. It was different and interesting, and I learned a lot, but I was still disappointed I guess. I feel like in my experiences so far with MedSurg that it is very "routine". I'm sure exciting things happen, I just have not seen them. And maybe that is what I pictured nursing to be..exciting, and I think it probably is...if I can find my niche. Thanks! :)

Keep looking. You'll find something. Perhaps psych. The variety in nursing is a thing to behold.

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