Losing my way....how did you find your Niche?

[amazingme]

With only X amount of days coming up to renew my RN License some days I feel as if I don't want to. Don't know what I would wake up and do the next morning either. I've worked on a busy, understaffed med-surg floor for many years before going to ambulatory surgery for the past few years. Their both interesting and definitely different kinds of busy, but neither have quite been that place that I could call home. I would like to try something else, but not much peaks my interest. I love taking care of patients, educating them and being their advocate . After my long drawn out story, for a girl that's lost her way, any suggestions on finding my niche and how did you find yours?

[Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hi OP,

Renew that license!!! You will find your fit. I am addicted to float pool, it lets me try a little bit of everything. Perhaps give that a shot? My fit is sitting in an office writing policies. I know that bores most normal people, but it is my thing. When I finish my MSN I hope to do just that. Until then, I am working my way up the ladder in my department and learning. I do not love my current position, but it will get me where I need to be. Try to think of it like that, if it helps.

i would love that. I do very well with tedium. I worked in a chronic unit for a while and I did everyone's care plans because I love it. I will do all the paperwork. But where can I get a job that lets me do paperwork or write policies or make phone calls? I was an administrative assistant in my previous life and I miss it. I just don't miss the pay.

[pwetmore]

Hi I know the feeling.....after 42 years !!!..in the past I have dabbled in a few non nursing jobs on the side. They were creative. And it was just what I needed at the time. I worked the hospitals in Los Angeles, agencies, home health and nursing homes. In the last 20+ yrs I have been in Nursing homes in management. In Tx, and Florida. Ive seen some crazy stuff. I came to the point in the last 2 yrs I cant do this ANYMORE !!! burned out beyond. Iam in the process of opening an Adult Day Care with the help of my husband. Going on 2.5 yrs. In the mean time, I have to work. I have a job at a nursing home, and went to another to pick up extra work and the nurse that orientated me was drunk!!! ....nothing surprises me anymore. Hang in there. Nursing does have so many different areas. Go back to school? Good luck. Explore. Explore. I know the feeling.

[snikkio]

I am in the same situation as you are...I have been nursing for 15 years and still haven't found my "niche"....and I have no idea where to find it. I have decided to sign up for Human resources management courses, I am hoping that I will like what is being taught. The hospitals have changed so much since I have been a nurse that its run more like a business than anything else. I have tried OR courses (didn't like those), maternity courses (the care I received in the maternity ward was a complete turn off) and I have completed an Occupational Health nursing certificate (can't find a job as they want X amount of years experience...and I have not much in that area). I am at a loss right now...unsure where to turn. I have worked in various clinical settings, yet, here I am currently in mental health and hating it. I no long want to be concerned about my safety going into work daily. Any ideas?

[savannahpam]

Suggest you try agency nursing. When I've tired of a specialty during my 46 years of nursing, I tried different agencies. It led me into research,rehab, and psych. Worked in urology office, home healthcare, loading data into medical records before a change to different EMR system, electrophysiology research. Also taught clinical med surg with nursing students. Right now am working full time neuro science unit in a teaching hospital and love it. I switch every 2 years. It's OK not to be stuck in an area. They love my psych background. Good luck to you!