How Do You Know Where You Fit In??

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 12, 2004

I am a recent grad. Every clinical rotation was my new "what I wanna be when I graduate." I also worked as a nurse extern on a tiny ICU and floated to CCU and the telemetry unit, so I had that experience.

When I began to apply for jobs, I was asked for my preference. I wanted to say, wherever they will take me, I just want to "do" nursing! When I was pressed to be specific, I answered just as I wrote in the first paragraph.

I was only given interviews for positions related to ICU and CCU! I was pretty surprised, but frankly, I'm excited to be starting an internship in January.

(I think I'd've liked plain old vanilla med/surg, and I know I'd've liked L&D, PP, neonatal or NICU. But, this is where I landed. So, we'll see.)

Good thread! Thanks for starting it!

mattsmom81 · Nov 12, 2004

Our individual personalities tie into considering what we enjoyed and/or disliked in our student experiences. We all evolve as a nurse and a human being and what we enjoy as a young nurse may not be where we want to be later in life....that is the nice thing about nursing. Lotsa options out there.

no er holds · Nov 13, 2004

You don't really know where you'll fit in or where you will be comfortable for at least a year after graduating. The program I graduated from didn't have an ER rotation but that's where I've been for the last year. I've thought about slowing down and going to med/surg but decded against it since I'm an adrenaline junkie.

shellee075 · Dec 5, 2004

For myself, discovering where I wanted to work was easy.

After going from one clinical place to the next. Working with peds, ob/gyn, rehab, med/surg, and geriatrics.... I learned I love geriatrics. My heart is with the elderly.

If you are in nursing school, you will find what you love as well with each clinical experience.

Good luck and God Bless

no er holds · Dec 6, 2004

For myself, discovering where I wanted to work was easy.
After going from one clinical place to the next. Working with peds, ob/gyn, rehab, med/surg, and geriatrics.... I learned I love geriatrics. My heart is with the elderly.
Bless your heart...we need more like you

Sondra Cash · Dec 8, 2004

I have worked with the elderly for about 35 years .So After I retired from one job I wanted a change so I went to a large tramua hospital and work in the ER.Big difference I am having trouble adjusting to the pace but I have started getting use to it

Sondra

dansdoll · Dec 8, 2004

I did not start out young, but I knew I wanted ER, that is all I have ever wanted to do. I would have DIED, if I had been made to start in geriatrics or (DREAD:eek: , DREAD:eek: ) OB! I found an excellent preceptorship in a level 1 truama center and I will never leave or change. I LOVE WHERE I AM! You need to decide what you want to do, consider your personality and the reasons why you want to be a nurse, you can always chage later if you change your mind, but why not do what you love from the begining?

Sondra Cash · Dec 8, 2004

i love my job too.i wanted to see if i could keep up the pace and have some sharper skills under my belt.i am planning on moving soon to ga .another big step.it seems here in knoxville lpn's still are med nurses at most places.i was however adn before i retired.i was wondering what beach? i saw that on your location.

sondra

NewGrad101 · Dec 21, 2004

Hey anyone want to give up in their first year of nursing? I am a new graduate nurse since dec 03. My first job was in a nursing home. I love working with the elderly, but am now hating my job. I just can't seem to find what I'm good at. I don't feel like I am much of nurse just passing pills all day. I want to go back to school and get my RN Degree, just wondering if it is worth it. Right now it is almost impossible to get on at a Hospital. The facilities say they have positions, then once I apply, the story changes. I feel I need hospital experience to find what I really enjoy. Am I alone???? :uhoh3:

blessed02 · Dec 21, 2004

Bless your heart- i graduated in April 04 and i would have loved to work in a hospital but of course in Maryland/some states - do not hire lpns.

Now i work in assisted living till i get a nursing home job where i will at least do trachea care,g-tubes ,stg 3 & 4 decubitus - but nursing homes around here want lpns with at least one year experience -?????? :uhoh3:

i want to maintain my clinical skills and be the best nurse i can be and work in a Med -surg. floor next year i hope to start school again and be an RN -I feel i'm stuck-pass meds too,chase pt around (alzheimer's pt ) for these meds ?,:stone

Hey anyone want to give up in their first year of nursing? I am a new graduate nurse since dec 03. My first job was in a nursing home. I love working with the elderly, but am now hating my job. I just can't seem to find what I'm good at. I don't feel like I am much of nurse just passing pills all day. I want to go back to school and get my RN Degree, just wondering if it is worth it. Right now it is almost impossible to get on at a Hospital. The facilities say they have positions, then once I apply, the story changes. I feel I need hospital experience to find what I really enjoy. Am I alone????

no er holds · Dec 21, 2004

I'm sorry you guys are having a difficult time...don't give up! Continue with school, get your RN, and then you can be a little picky about what type of nursing you'd like to do. The extra year is well worth it. My husband and I are both LVNs and it's turning into a race to see who can get the RN done first (all this with a family, mortgage, and multiple car payments). Are we crazy? You bet but I wouldn't change a thing. With the craziness the holidays bring...we volunteered to work First Aid for the Rose Parade on New Year's Day (and I have to work the day before!)