Confused and needing advise

[Erm1234]

I just graduated from a very reputable nursing program in my area, passed my boards and accepted my dream job in a world renowned hospital on a floor I wanted and will be starting in a few weeks. I should be unbelievably happy right now because I have everything I wanted, but I'm not. Part of me didn't want to get this job so I would have an excuse to travel. Spend a year or two working on Native American reservations, maybe be a nurse for the peace corpse, do some volunteering and take advantage of being 22. Now that I've accepted the position at the hospital I feel like I'm losing that part of me that is adventurous and fearless and selfless. I'm afraid that I will settle down in a job and city and never again be able to do these things that make me who I am. I am not trying to sound ungrateful for the opportunities I have been given, but I just need to know if anyone else has been in my situation and how they managed to leave the hospital life to work in those types of community settings. Any thoughts or advise?

[enuf_already]

Unless you are independently wealthy, I'm not sure how you plan to volunteer and travel. Get a few years of experience, some money put aside, then go do those things you want to do at age 25 with 3 years of experience.

You can still be adventurous, fearless, and selfless with a steady income at your dream job. Twenty-five is certainly not over the hill. Get some experience and leave on good terms so you can be eligible for rehire. Or do some of those things during PTO time and keep your job.

Many of my coworkers go on medical mission trips, cut their hours and work part of the summer at special needs camps, or volunteer with agencies like the Red Cross.

Good luck in your career!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Improving your competency will open even more doors for you. Your application is much more likely to be taken seriously if you have some solid experience because those wanderlust jobs cannot provide the type of support and development required by new nurses.

You may want to check out opportunities in the Indian Health Services. They are one of the very few organizations that do welcome new grads.... but the jobs may be in very isolated locations.