Nurses, where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

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Off the record, do you see yourself working as a nurse in the same unit or the same type of unit at a different hospital or in a different location? Do you hope to move on to a different setting within nursing? Attain an advanced degree? Stay at home for a while? Change careers, go to medical/law school, etc.?

I run into so many nurses who are pursuing their BSNs, MSNs and other, non-nursing related degrees on the side. Oddly enough, I'm working on advanced flight training on my days off. My goal is to work in the aviation industry full-time within the next two years and to continue in nursing on an occasional/PRN basis as a safety net.

Specializes in general, ICU, mental health, forensic,.

I hope to be still working in mental health in five years, and in 10 years be getting ready to retire - happy and healthy. :tbsk:

time to relax, and enjoy life.

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Specializes in general, ICU, mental health, forensic,.

I hope to be still working in mental health in five years, and in 10 years be getting ready to retire - happy and healthy. :tbsk:

time to relax, and enjoy life.:typing

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i'm hoping that i win the lottery (hopefully a very large sum so that something remains after all of the taxes) and quit nursing altogether. it's so funny because in nursing school (which has been 1 year since i graduated) i wanted to be a nurse SO BAD, and now that i am, i don't want to do it anymore. boohiss!

the only time i see management is to inform me of what i did wrong. it really sucks. the ever changing policies and paperwork. the happy, up-beat personality i have to fake as i work into my 11th hour. the backaches on my drive home. i miss the life of being a nursing student terribly!

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I hope to get off the medical floor and try something new...probably ER for a few years. I plan to switch floors every 3-5 years or so. I'll probably end up doing Flex one day. I like learning new things and being exposed to new areas. Just as long as I don't have to do MICU or SICU or CVICU or any other ICU areas.

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Hi! Barbyann and Everyone,

I'm with you, except plan to bribe the seagulls not to poop on YOUR tables.....save yourself some work. The last day I worked a perdiem shift in my ICU, I left in tears and with a big chunk of my heart behind. The grueling workload, the killer workload, wouldn't have been so hard to bear if there had been some gratitude from adm., for all we did, no breaks, no lunch, respect for our shifts off, and a thank you for all you did do, instead of criticism for what you couldn't humanly, possibly, find time to do. I teach now, and try to impart my love for our profession to my students. I am looking for early retirement, two or 3 more years. I have been a nurse for over 30 years.

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I plan to be a mommy, a good caretaker of my fiance who has a spinal cord injury, and I would love to counsel and help families who are learning to care for a loved one with a spinal cord injury....and much like Barbyann, I don't want to be anywhere near a hospital floor. I think everything else will keep me busy enough! :redpinkhe

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I rarely end up where I see myself.. opportunities tend to pop up along the way and so far, I've had a good time going with the flow. No idea where I'll be working, or which country I'll be in after 5 years. Hopefully I'll be happy and healthy.

Good point. I haven't started nursing school yet and haven't narrowed down to a single specialty. I plan to have my bsn and msn taken care of in 4-5 years. Then I look forward to a brilliant career in some aspect of nursing. I'm mindful of demand issues so that's why I'm not too stuck on any specialty going in and I would not apply to a school that makes you pick one on your application (because how would you really know??). I'm not looking for the easy gig and I'll probably jump on whatever others are avoiding as long as it pays well. Anything more specific than that I can't say at this time.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
RN, Vancouver, Trauma ICU.

That would be a change from LVN, California, short-term rehab.

Sara - Now THAT would be a dream job!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

wilbur's mom:

You can do all of us a huge favor if you discuss/write about the working conditions you described, to your local labor board.

That hospital sounds like the pitts! Believe me, there are better work environments. You have some years left, get a job before retiring somewhere that will leave a better "taste in your mouth".

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

I interviewed for a position when I was 60, at an Indian Services clinic. A gorgeous native American doctor who looked like the star from "Dancing with Wolves" was in charge, and asked me what my objective was in 5 years.

Without thinking, in definite open mouth - insert foot mode, I replied, "to retire". I didn't get the position........ I'm almost 70, now, semi-retired and still looking for more work.

In 10 years, I hope to have written my memoirs.

HAPPY 2009!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

In 5 years, I plan to be working as a Family Nurse Practitioner (I'm currently working on my Master's then plan to get my DNP) in some type of clinic or doctor's office. I can't wait to be out of the hospital and off of night shift!

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Specializes in Critical care, neuroscience, telemetry,.

Still working part-time 12 hour nights in the SICU. Quite possibly pursuing my MSN, as my children will be mostly grown at that point.

The clam shack sounds nice, though. Some nights, my colleagues in the SICU talk about opening a Wal-Mart and being greeters. We all look good in blue......

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