Have You Found Your Niche?

[Vito Andolini]

Do you think you have found your life's calling? Are you doing what you were meant to do in your working life?

Sometimes, I think I've never really found my calling, even though I've had Nursing jobs that I have really enjoyed and have some good friends from my working years. Every time, though, something has come up sooner or later on each job. Either I couldn't deal with the boss and the politics :angryfire, or I got bored , or we moved, or the job shut down (went out of business) . The longest I've held any job is about 5 years, although I've been with the same employer 3 times that long, doing different jobs within the organization.

So how about you all? And not to be nosy but are you reasonably content in your personal life? I am married to the best gal in the world but I do wish we had more children. The grandkids are a tremendous joy. And I'm still spry enough to do active things with them!

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Nope. Have not found my niche, and this wonderful recession is slowing the process down for me.

I've done M/S since I graduated. I NEVER planned on making a career of M/S, its so not the fit for me. But I was told by my instructors that every nurse should do a couple, maybe three (how many I've done) years M/S. I did exactly 3 years this Jan. and am confident I can move on.

Problem is, everywhere I interview (looking to go either OR or ICU, maybe Oncology) with, wants me to stay put in M/S. IDK if its to avoid training costs or if thats really where their heaviest needs are or what. One hospital in PA had me come in for an interview, said there were OR residencies galore, but not ICU. When I got there, the story changed to "After one year of performing as a float M/S RN, you can move to OR or ICU, whichever you prefer". Since they lied to me to get me into the interview, I assumed they were lying about the one year wait too.

If I dont get this past job I interviewed for (for ICU), then I'll remain a travel nurse and keep looking. If nothing is avail as a travel nurse, I'll look into going staff or perhaps going back to school for my BSN. Probably end up in another M/S position that I didnt really want but do just to pay the bills and stay active in the field until something I want opens up. Its a shame really. Wish I was going to work for more than the paycheck.

[travel50]

I also went to work in M/S after graduating in '83 with my ADN. Was told that I needed the experience. But then could not get out of it. No one would let me work in ER, ICU, Nursery, or anywhere else b/c I had no experience in that area. I got so frustrated that I quit working in the hospital for 6 yrs. Went to work in home health and loved it. Did work for 2 yrs after that back in the hospital b/c I got to do pediatrics. Now do geriatrics and absolutely love it. But I am a restless spirit and often feel the need to move on. I've done this now for 12 yrs. Have thought about travel nursing, maybe interim DON. I just love to travel. Erik, do let us know if you get that job. I'm pulling for you.

[loricatus]

I would consider having found my niche when I look forward to going to my job, rather than dreading another day. So, I am still looking for my niche.

[Vito Andolini]

Great replies. Thanks for sharing. Erik, good luck. And to all who feel restless or that the social aspect of work is tough, I hear you.

I've been looking at the little icon in the post above this one, where the guy keeps rising again to butt his head against the brick wall. Sometimes I think that's what I'm doing. Never learning, yet driven to keep repeating the same ineffective behavior. This frustration stems from having to repeatedly try to get ancillary staff to do their work. I just hate having to be the heavy. I just want so much for people to come to work to work, not to hide or shirk their duties, then lie about it and try to blame me. They'll tell me that they don't have a problem with any other nurse, only me. And I have to tell them that I don't have a problem with other aides, only with them! You should see the look on their faces when I say that! Even so, it takes away my energy. It saps my very strength. It makes me tired, unhappy. My present job is not hard except for having to deal with these personnel issues. Hmm, seems it's never really the work, it's always the people that drag me down.

[loricatus]

Great replies. Thanks for sharing. Erik, good luck. And to all who feel restless or that the social aspect of work is tough, I hear you.

I've been looking at the little icon in the post above this one, where the guy keeps rising again to butt his head against the brick wall. Sometimes I think that's what I'm doing. Never learning, yet driven to keep repeating the same ineffective behavior. This frustration stems from having to repeatedly try to get ancillary staff to do their work. I just hate having to be the heavy. I just want so much for people to come to work to work, not to hide or shirk their duties, then lie about it and try to blame me. They'll tell me that they don't have a problem with any other nurse, only me. And I have to tell them that I don't have a problem with other aides, only with them! You should see the look on their faces when I say that! Even so, it takes away my energy. It saps my very strength. It makes me tired, unhappy. My present job is not hard except for having to deal with these personnel issues. Hmm, seems it's never really the work, it's always the people that drag me down.

Ohhhh, do I hear you.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Great replies. Thanks for sharing. Erik, good luck. And to all who feel restless or that the social aspect of work is tough, I hear you.

I've been looking at the little icon in the post above this one, where the guy keeps rising again to butt his head against the brick wall. Sometimes I think that's what I'm doing. Never learning, yet driven to keep repeating the same ineffective behavior. This frustration stems from having to repeatedly try to get ancillary staff to do their work. I just hate having to be the heavy. I just want so much for people to come to work to work, not to hide or shirk their duties, then lie about it and try to blame me. They'll tell me that they don't have a problem with any other nurse, only me. And I have to tell them that I don't have a problem with other aides, only with them! You should see the look on their faces when I say that! Even so, it takes away my energy. It saps my very strength. It makes me tired, unhappy. My present job is not hard except for having to deal with these personnel issues. Hmm, seems it's never really the work, it's always the people that drag me down.

Gee, working with the aides is the only part of M/S I'll miss. I like them more than the nurses 90% of the time. I dont remember what field you said you were in, but critical care has less association with aides than less acute units. I know a nurse or two who went to critical care because they were tired of "having to monitor aides" and working under managers who didnt.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

I hear you, too, Vito.

Dealing w/ CNAs, techs/PCTs is one of the hardest, most draining aspects of nursing.

I have returned to traveling after a short stint as a perm employee.

Traveling is my niche, and has kept me in nursing. I have a very, very low tolerance for BS, and 13 weeks at a single job is enough for me!

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

I hear you, too, Vito.

Dealing w/ CNAs, techs/PCTs is one of the hardest, most draining aspects of nursing.

I have returned to traveling after a short stint as a perm employee.

Traveling is my niche, and has kept me in nursing. I have a very, very low tolerance for BS, and 13 weeks at a single job is enough for me!

LMAO, and I am trying to get outta travel nursing. I so want to go staff, get into a more acute setting than M/S and after a year, when I am comfortable.....start working on the BSN.

I never liked travel nursing. I only do it so we can investigate places to live. I could live in WA the rest of my life and be happy happy happy.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

No, I really haven't found my niche. I'm okay with where I am at for now, and am committed to learning as much as I can and becoming the best nurse I possibly can, but I do plan on moving on at some point.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Yes, my niche is definitely school nursing. I do eventually want to pursue a master's, and other areas interest me as well. I want to get my school nurse certification. I also have an interest in forensic nursing, specifically child abuse investigations. Also interested in becoming a diabetic educator, and maybe becoming an NP who specializes in this area.

That is what is great about nursing, you can have several niches over the course of your career. To me the possibilities are endless!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

9 jobs in 5 years, so no I haven't found my niche. If I could only find that elusive Mon-Fri 9am-3pm no holiday, no on-call nursing job that pays the same as full time, I think then I would find my niche.

I was going to suggest school nursing, until you said "pays the same". That usually rules it out! :)

[PattyB RN]

First off, I want to say that I LOVE your name! My next cat will either be Don Chich or Mrs. Fanuch. I may have the spelling wrong but you know who I mean, right?

I'd have to say that after 20 yrs. in nursing I've settled into my niche. I've done geriatric nursing, med.surg nursing, home health care nursing and pediatric office nursing. Now for 8 years I have been a school nurse and I like it, not love it. Can't beat the hours & vacation time but I spend most of my time trying to convince children that they're not that sick and to go back to class. When I do help a truly sick child, I wish I could do that sort of thing more often which cause me to entertain thoughts of going per diem in an acute care facility. But I'm lucky enough to have a daughter who is an ED nurse so I kind of live vicariously through her experiences. That way I don't have weekends, holidays, and 12 hour shifts. Who knows, if my 401K loses any more money I may have to do more than entertain the idea of going per-diem!