How to Find My Passion - Which Specialty is Right for Me?

[Nurse Beth]

I am in search of any advice as far as what specialty track might give me a broad range of options for future career moves. I am deciding between Healthcare policy, Educator specialty, or executive/leadership track

I think I might enjoy careers as a general nursing consultant or legal nurse consultant. I also enjoy teaching and counseling patients and providing guidance and might love something in patient education and/or wellness, life coaching, etc. I enjoy critical thinking and problem solving, creativity.

Just taking a shot in the dark here that you or someone who reads this may have some good advice on how to hone in on what path is best for you, possibly how you figured out your "passion".

Thanks in advance!

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Dear Which Track,

• A Healthcare Policy track will prepare you to analyze and influence nursing policy. Nurses with expertise in this can hold elective office, work in health services research, legislative offices, or for healthcare provider associations.
• A Nurse Educator track will prepare you to teach in academic settings such as nursing schools, as well as clinical settings such as hospitals in a Staff Development position.
• A Nurse Executive track will prepare you for leadership roles in different settings.

You can enter the legal nurse consulting field with a variety of educational backgrounds, and a master's degree or formal education is not required. Certification is available, and different training courses. Visit the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) for more information, as well as the discussion here on site - Legal Nurse Consultant

Find Your Passion

But you probably know all this, and are asking how to find your passion.

I can tell I am passionate about something when:

• My heart beats faster. For example, thinking about traveling back to Italy. Smelling a perfume I can't live without. Hearing music that transports me. When I teach heart blocks and a student has an "Aha" moment.
• I become animated, talkative and persuasive about a subject. Social rights, access to healthcare, the image of nurses by the public- what excites and motivates you?

Find Your Gifts

Aligning your passions with your natural gifts and talents. All your life, have you found yourself assuming the role of the leader, and people telling you that you are a leader?

Are you business-minded? Is the thought of being in business for yourself appealing? (consultant roles). Or do you prefer the security of a steady paycheck, and benefits? If entrepreneurship does appeal to you, how much risk are you willing to take, and are you in a position to do so?

In your case, you enjoy teaching, counseling, wellness and supportive roles. You also are a creative, critical thinker. Nurse executives and leaders have a lot of opportunities to provide supportive direction as well as problem solve. Nurse educators have enormous opportunity to teach in creative ways.

Find Your Opportunities

Often career paths are a function of passion, gifts, and opportunity. Sometimes in life, open doors present themselves...for a reason. Pay attention to life cues along the way.

A final thought- as far as a job opportunity, simply having a Master's degree in nursing opens many doors, regardless of the track. An advanced degree is more important than the track. In other words, it will not limit you. In my case, I mastered in Nursing Administration, but now work in Staff Development- and it's all good.

Here's a previous post about Advanced Degree Choices

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN]

Great article and great posts! I am currently searching for my passion in nursing and how to capitalize on it. I am currently working MedSurg, Psych and LTAC/Rehab (all are PRN). I don't know where I'll be in a few years, so I'm am testing my options lol! Luckily I am in my 20s and don't mind working 60 hrs/week while paying off my student loans and building my savings! Good luck everyone!