How did you finally "know" when you found your niche?

[Butterflyxx0621]

Just as the title says, I'm wondering how you nurses who found your niche really knew it was right for you?

I've been a nurse for 4 years. I have done LTC, home hospice, and for about a year I've been working on a cardiac PCU.. I LIKE my job most times, but I don't love it.

The hardest part for me is the schedule/hours. I just recently got married and want to start planning a family. My husband works a M-F 8-4 job. I switch between days and nights and live an hour from the hospital. That 3 days a week feels like a lot more usually. With all my personal changes I just want to look toward the future and I can't help but think I cannot see myself doing this schedule with a family long term.

I have a call about an interview for a cardiologists office but I just feel so conflicted, mostly because I love the people I work with.

Our floor is the only floor that is a constant revolving door, do I really want to add to the statistic?

Every job has downsides, but how did you know personally that they balanced out? Do you ever truly feel like you have found your place?

I would appreciate any helpful advice or suggestions. Thank you.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Shift rotations are HORRIBLE on family life. I don't know of any hospital that still requires this in my part of the country. Another factor that may be important for you is the physiological effect of shift rotation. There is an emerging body of literature that highlights the short term and long term effects. I recall some findings (can't find the reference right now) that indicated effects upon endocrine/hormone balance -- and this may be important for you in terms of pregnancy effects.

Jobs will come and go. Employers today don't hesitate to slash nursing jobs to meet their own aims. At the same time, they moan and groan about the lack of employee commitment and loyalty... but that's a whole different topic. IMHO, our first priority should always be family, especially for a newlywed since the first year of marriage is usually the most difficult.

Congratulations on your marriage & wishing much happiness as you begin your family. Mazel Tov!!!

[Butterflyxx0621]

Shift rotations are HORRIBLE on family life. I don't know of any hospital that still requires this in my part of the country. Another factor that may be important for you is the physiological effect of shift rotation. There is an emerging body of literature that highlights the short term and long term effects. I recall some findings (can't find the reference right now) that indicated effects upon endocrine/hormone balance -- and this may be important for you in terms of pregnancy effects.

Jobs will come and go. Employers today don't hesitate to slash nursing jobs to meet their own aims. At the same time, they moan and groan about the lack of employee commitment and loyalty... but that's a whole different topic. IMHO, our first priority should always be family, especially for a newlywed since the first year of marriage is usually the most difficult.

Congratulations on your marriage & wishing much happiness as you begin your family. Mazel Tov!!!

Thank you!!! That's interesting about the effects on hormones. I already have a lot of issues with mine so I don't need anything else stacked against me.... I already have a very difficult time when it comes to sleep because we rotate shifts within the same week so I just sleep whenever I am able to. I'm constantly exhausted!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I've always known my niche was pediatrics. I literally never want to be an adult nurse. But I've never had a job that I felt like I wanted to stay at forever. You can move around within your chosen specialty/niche.

[Kristenlaurenw]

I didn't know I had found mine until I left it. I had always wanted to be an OR nurse so I left the ER when I was offered the opportunity. Thank goodness I stayed PRN in the ER because a few weeks into my new job, I knew I hated it. It dawned on me that even though I just kind of ended up in the ER without planning on it, I am an ER nurse at heart! I quit the new job after a couple of months and continued PRN in my old ER until a full time slot opened up again and I jumped on it!