New nurse. Where is my passion?

[Jccnurse]

Hello all. I am a newish nurse. I was a LVN for 2.5 years and RN for 3 months now. I've only worked in direct patient care in clinics and currently work in the OR as a circulator. I have yet to find my passion though. I enjoy talking to people/ patients, educating and giving advises and recommendations. I love the anatomy and physiology part of nursing but not so much the patient care part. I recently interviewed with an ortho surgeon who works attorneys and the patients who have been injured. He is in court a lot and testifies on what type of injury and surgeries were performed. The position would mainly be back office stuff. Getting documents ready, obtaining patient's statements and information and setting court dates. This would be completely different than what I have done as a nurse. Has anyone heard of this type of nursing role? Any insight? 

Thanks,

Nurse looking for her passion

[Davey Do]

“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” – Eugene Ionesco

2 hours ago, Jccnurse said:

. I enjoy talking to people/ patients, educating and giving (advice) and recommendations. I love the anatomy and physiology part of nursing but not so much the patient care part....

...The position would mainly be back office stuff. Getting documents ready, obtaining patient's statements and information and setting court dates.

 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

3 hours ago, Jccnurse said: I recently interviewed with an ortho surgeon who works attorneys and the patients who have been injured. He is in court a lot and testifies on what type of injury and surgeries were performed. The position would mainly be back office stuff. Getting documents ready, obtaining patient's statements and information and setting court dates. This would be completely different than what I have done as a nurse. Has anyone heard of this type of nursing role? Any insight

Fabulous! This is one role available in legal nurse consulting. It’s a wonderful way for a nurse to use knowledge of hospital systems, records, medicine, pt care, and all. Go right now to www.aalnc.org and get energized! There are lots of us out here who will help you, too. 

[RNperdiem, RN]

Look into the position and find out more. Is it a full-time job with guaranteed hours and benefits, or is more of a gig-type of work? Who exactly would you be working for? 

What exactly do you mean by "passion"? I don't like that misleading word. It makes people feel like there is something wrong if they don't feel intense dramatic joyous emotions about work, like you make nursing the entire focus of your life. The majority of people work to live. "Passion" is more aspirational than realistic.   There is nothing wrong with feeling a more attainable state like "satisfaction" if that is enough for you. 

[Jccnurse]

10 minutes ago, RNperdiem said:

Look into the position and find out more. Is it a full-time job with guaranteed hours and benefits, or is more of a gig-type of work? Who exactly would you be working for? 

What exactly do you mean by "passion"? I don't like that misleading word. It makes people feel like there is something wrong if they don't feel intense dramatic joyous emotions about work, like you make nursing the entire focus of your life. The majority of people work to live. "Passion" is more aspirational than realistic.   There is nothing wrong with feeling a more attainable state like "satisfaction" if that is enough for you. 

I will shadow the nurse that is retiring, who has been there for 21 years, (who they are trying to replace) next week. It is full time with benefits. 

"Passion"... I guess it is because in nursing school, almost everyone had a inspirational story as to why they chose nursing. My reason... I needed a career and I liked science. ? I agree with you, the word passion is misleading and maybe that has made me feel like I am not meant to be a nurse because I do not feel over the moon providing patient care.

[Jccnurse]

43 minutes ago, Hannahbanana said:

Fabulous! This is one role available in legal nurse consulting. It’s a wonderful way for a nurse to use knowledge of hospital systems, records, medicine, pt care, and all. Go right now to www.aalnc.org and get energized! There are lots of us out here who will help you, too. 

The job description of a legal nurse consultant sounds very similar to the position I am interviewing for. I could not think of what to search to get a better understanding of the position. Thank you! I am actually very interested now after reading more about legal nurse consultants.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Jccnurse said:

"Passion"... I guess it is because in nursing school, almost everyone had a inspirational story as to why they chose nursing. My reason... I needed a career and I liked science. ? I agree with you, the word passion is misleading and maybe that has made me feel like I am not meant to be a nurse because I do not feel over the moon providing patient care.

Career satisfaction via emotion is doomed to fail. Or in other words, passion...meh.

[TriciaJ, RN]

4 hours ago, Jccnurse said:

I will shadow the nurse that is retiring, who has been there for 21 years, (who they are trying to replace) next week. It is full time with benefits. 

"Passion"... I guess it is because in nursing school, almost everyone had a inspirational story as to why they chose nursing. My reason... I needed a career and I liked science. ? I agree with you, the word passion is misleading and maybe that has made me feel like I am not meant to be a nurse because I do not feel over the moon providing patient care.

I think with your realistic mindset you have a better chance at a long, satisfying career than your "passionate" cohorts with their inspirational stories.  Most of us don't subscribe to the idea that nursing is a "calling".

That's just a lot of hype to rope us into poor working conditions and low pay and we're supposed to be all dewy-eyed while we're doing it.

Keep in touch with your passionate friends.  You'll be amazed how many run away screaming.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Needing a career and liking science is a perfectly wonderful way to enter nursing. Works for me, always has. Never mind what other people say about their "passion," whatever that means. That's an immature way to align expectations anyway. 

[Emergent, RN]

22 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Career satisfaction via emotion is doomed to fail. Or in other words, passion...meh.

I wholeheartedly and completely agree with this statement. 

That's not to say that you shouldn't look for a specialty of nursing that particularly suits your strengths, and that you will naturally excel at with effort. You will get satisfaction from doing something that you are successful at.

Passion is a short-lived emotion, it happens in the beginning of relationships and can peter out easily as time goes by. That's why people like Robin Williams, who was so very creative and talented person, burnt himself out emotionally and ended up plummeting to great emotional lows as well.

Take a more temperate approach. This job sounds like an incredible opportunity to explore something that might turn out very good for you. I vote that you give it a try.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I agree that passion in nursing is an overused sentiment. How many people expect a passionate accountant, or mechanic? Why can't we just be people that chose a profession in which we are competent. Even doctors aren't asked if medicine is their passion. I chose nursing because my background in science fulfilled most of the requirements I needed for nursing as a second career. I'm passionate about my family, my church and many things I choose to do for other reasons. I'm competent at my job and enjoy it, but it's not my passion. 

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

That's actually an incredible job opportunity for an RN with limited bedside experience. Seems like the norm for those coveted away from bedside jobs is they are offered to a nurse with a lot of experience,  a background in the relevant field which in this case is legal or a combination of both.  

Since the position is open to replace a retiring nurse who had been there over 20 years I am guessing it is probably a decent place to work for. Turnover is certainly not an issue! 

Good luck!