Decision, decisions, decisions

[Larsen4220]

I am a fourth semester student and I am having a rough time trying to decide where I

want to work. I have been a CNA for 10 years and I do not want to continue working in skilled nursing facilities and I am currently precepting on the surgical floor at a local hospital. I do not just want to settle but how do you figure it out?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

A lot of students get "inspired" by an experience during their clinicals (although the real world is quite different from clinical).

Have you seen anything during school that peaked your interest?

Be aware though that for many graduates, "What do I want to do?" bumps up against "When the heck will someone offer me a job?"

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree totally with jedrnurse. But I would also ask you to consider: When you first decided to enter the nursing world, what type of nurse did you imagine yourself to be? What career path did you envision for yourself? Does that still interest you? If so, now is the best chance you may ever have to pursue that particular specialty or career path.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

In this market, it may be wherever hires you. Remember that where you start your career isn't where you have to spend the entire thing.

I always knew I wanted to be a pediatric nurse, for example. Within that broad field, I have done acute care, school, home health visits/clinical management, home infusion liaison and complex care management for children in foster care. I tend to stay at my jobs for 3-5 years then move on. It's enough time to not appear to be a job hopper but also has given me diverse experience so that I never have trouble finding a new job.