I don't know what I want to do with my RN

[anonymousstudent]

Everybody is always asking me WHAT I want to do once I'm done with school. I still have 7 quarters, so that's a good amount of time, but I honestly have NO idea. I get a lot of strange looks when I tell them that I really don't know. Most of my fellow students already know...most say OB/L&D, a few peds, a few cardio.

How did you all decide where you'd go? Part of my hesitation is that I'm sure I'll be more suited for some areas than others, and I'm not really equipped to know my strengths at this point.

I'm feeling a little out of place.

[elkpark]

There's nothing wrong with not having a specific preference, esp. this early in your education. Many of your classmates who think they know now what area they want to work in will change their minds several times before they graduate -- and end up working in something entirely different! :) Plenty of nurses find that their interests change at various times during their careers. IMO, that's one of the great things about nursing; that there are so many different options from which to choose, some of which have no connection or resemblance to each other except that they all require an RN license.

[Shanlee79]

Don't worry, you're not alone! I am also a student and have one term left before I enter my final practicum. The whole time during school, it seemed that I was the only one who didn't have a plan as to where to go once they were done. My advice, get out there and shadow on various units and see if anything clicks. I have done this over the past 2 months during my summer break. Most places are more than happy to set-up shadow shifts. It gave me a chance to see how the unit works and if I could see myself working there or not. I haven't fully made up my mind but it has at least narrowed down my choices significantly for where to spend my final practicum! Good luck to you!

[jjjoy, LPN]

Shanlee has some good advice there. Getting more exposure to the various areas of nursing can at least help give you a better idea of what is out there and what you MIGHT like to pursue (or avoid) in the future. You might also see if you can work as a nursing assistant which can give you more exposure to hands on care and help you see what you do and don't take to... how do you feel about juggling several patients? how do you feel with days that are more routine and those that are less? how do you feel interacting with certain kinds of patients? do you like talking a bit with patients, or do you prefer just getting things done? how do you deal with there not being enough time to do everything just the way you'd like to? how do you deal with mistakes and getting critical feedback?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Part of my hesitation is that I'm sure I'll be more suited for some areas than others, and I'm not really equipped to know my strengths at this point.

Now that's one of the wisest things I have seen a student on allnurses in a long time.

It's great that you are going to explore your options and find out what suits you best before you decide. You may be a little different from your classmates in that respects -- but you're the one who is doing it right. Trust your instincts. Yours seem to be good.