Does your specialty fit your personality?/Why did you choose your specialty?

[Katherine25]

My name is Katherine and I'm 25 years old. I graduate college with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, specifically Sculpture using fibers and metal and Glassblowing. I've always loved art, but I've always been fascinated by science and medicine more. I recently had surgery on my left bicep, the belly of the muscle had been severed more than 50% otherwise known as a high grade bicep tear. The whole process of getting injured then getting repaired and now recovering has taken me away from my job making high end handmade glass chandeliers for hotels and casinos. Truth be told I couldn't be happier, or more interested in my daily routine. So I've decided to make a career change, but haven't quite decided what medical field I'm more interested in.

I was wondering why people in the nursing field chose the specialty they're in. Why did you think that would be a good career path for you? Are you happy or are you looking for a change to? Does your specialty fit your personality? Or was it the people, the work, the science, the money, the location, the availability, your home life? Or was it the interest, the excitement, the fascination, the work environment, the advancement opportunities, or the possibility for discovery? Did you just like the idea of helping people, is it as rewarding as you thought or is it just pure love of your career?

Thanks,

Katherine

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

I love helping people. It fits my ethical and moral code. ICU does not fit my personality but I'm stuck here because I'm in school, need the tuition reimbursement, and am on documentation probation because I'm not fully engaged in my job because I'm in the wrong unit. So this prevents me from transferring to a unit where I know my talents work well. My personality fits the ER, where I've worked before, but I transferred to ICU to learn and grow- which I've done. Poor management practices now keep me from escaping as I have to prove I can toe the line to get off probation and escape. It's not their fault though, they are incompetent due to poor training, education, and a system of promotion based on seniority not performance. Although I'm an excellent nurse and highly reliable I'm looking for employment outside this system because their policies inhibit growth and performance. I have found that most nurse managers got their job because they have been there the longest, not because they have any training or particular aptitude for leadership. Just so you dont' think I'm a sour apple, I had a boss once that so clearly raised the bar that I'm a bit sensitive to poor leadership. Management by email is my first pet peeve, followed by completely ignoring the existence of half your staff (i.e. the night shift) because showing up after 5pm doesn't' fit with your lifestyle. As nurses we are judged by what management can measure (documentation) not by the actual care we provide. This is a dichotomy that kills the motivation of many nurses. I've caught many subtle signs that have made major differences in my patient's outcomes, but my boss is more concerned with my ability to chart urine output exactly every 2 hours. (For the patients that this matters I get it done, but I don't bust my ass just to meet protocols if the pathology just isn't there). Sorry for the rant, just can't wait to work for a unit that is a good fit for my abilities and experience. But that is why nursing is a great career, it has a hundred jobs in as many environments. Peace... Out...

[LilliW]

Nursing in general fits my personality. I am a caring and compassionate person that would honeslty put the health of someone else before my own at times. Trauma ICU setting very much fits my personality. I have very straightforward and assertive person. Trauma is a fast paced, high stress enviroment that if you are an overly sensitive person you would never survive. Hope you find your calling...

[Milenamilena]

Icu fits my personality Of quick thinker And problem solver. Also i became a Nurse because i Enjoy helping people And caring And those little miracles That happen.

Nursing Its not An Easy career so think carefully Before You decide to change. There is a lot Of things You Have to deAl with That You dont Have to with other job. All the body fluids Of humans cant disgust You. It ofen not Pretty And it gets messy Also.

[mtlrn]

As another fellow artist (i'm a painter and musician) nursing can be great to provide for oneself economically to pursue one's art without compromise. Working 2-3 days per week and making 40-50K a year is great and allows me to experiment and let my work meander where it wants to go. In my experience the field of nursing tends to be very conservative and you may have a hard time fitting in at work if you have a bohemian lifestyle/worldview. I find that the most creative types work in ER (for the excitement and fascinating social experiences) psych and sometimes in med/surg because the area has a large proportion of newer (young) nurses who may be more tolerant to non-traditional lifestyles. Nursing can be completely psychologically overwhelming sometimes and is difficult if you are the sensitive emotional type. I would suggest having a shadow experience with an rn to see if the field is really something you can get into before you sacrifice money/time on nursing school. Good luck!