Confused student nurse

[GusM]

i'm currently finishing my bsn. i have for the past two years and still work in a hospital setting. my problem: i'm having such a hard time determining what career path to chose. as a cna (responsibilities include all nursing interventions except providing medications) i've worked in a cardiac specialty unit, emergency room, intensive care unit, oncology unit, osteopathic unit, and behavior health units. i'm truly blessed to have experienced all these types of care units; unfortunately, this variety has caused much confusion for me. i've been contemplating np, however the recent push for dnp has me reconsidering. i'm now considering cns (clinical nurse specialist), but i am unfamiliar as to the specialty options. i've found a few, but i'm having trouble researching the career options for cns's.

any information regarding cns career options would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. if you haven't noticed i'm all over the place. thus far, in a hospital setting, i find myself preferring emergency, trauma, or critical care units. i'm having a tough time figuring out how and what to decide. guidance is appreciated.

[Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN]

I'd worry about finishing your BSN first and having a license and getting a couple years of experience before worrying about CNS, FNP or any other NP track. Nursing is all about experience and IMHO i think you need to get the training wheels off before you have the knowledge and confidence to be prescribing treatments and medication instead of providing them.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Your confusion is understandable. The truth is that you may not know what you want until you try a few things. Specialties that seemed appealing during limited exposure in clinicals may not hold the same appeal once you perform them day in and day out. Conversely, you may find yourself enjoying something you didn't particularly like in school. IMO you should not make any decisions regarding further education until you get some background in the field. That way you will have more of an idea what path to take, and you will be better prepared to take a larger role. In today's job market it may also depend upon what is available. You may wind up taking something you don't necessarily want just to get started.

Best of luck in your new profession.

[Hopeful2011]

I'm also in nursing school getting my BSN and I think once you finish your BSN and work as an RN and some experience it will help you decide which advanced career path is right for you. Plus most of these career paths from what I hear require you to have a year or two of experience as a RN.

If not knowing which career path to follow is weighing on your weighing on your mind so heavily.. then talk to one of your clinical instructors or your adviser!

Good luck!!!

[RNYC]

these days the trick is just getting a job...choosing a path comes later

[llg, PhD, RN]

Your confusion is an indication that you are not yet ready to make a decision about your long term career path. So don't. Give yourself time to BE a nurse for a little while and get to know yourself as a nurse. Pay attention to what you like and don't like. Pay attention to what your natural talents are and what types of things cause you to struggle. What makes you feel good, happy, and stimulated in a positive way? What makes you feel bad, unhappy and challenged in a negative way.

That process might take a couple of years. That's OK. Give it a couple of years. If you "just pick something" because you want to pick something, you might make a big mistake and waste a lot of resources on a career path that makes you miserable.

So, don't rush it. Let yourself discover what suits you best. Don't force the issue prematurely.