snikkio

After 15 years....I'm still eagerly looking for my niche. Not sure where to turn.

I'm in the same position. I am currently enrolled at Aspen university....the weekly workload seems unreasonable compared to others I have spoken to at other masters level degree programs. I'm not sure if getting a masters degree will make any difference in getting a decent job in this over saturated market. Every nurse I know is getting a masters degree...it's like the new normal. I'm forever lost in finding my niche in nursing. I have done additional education in Occupational Health Nursing as well but.....can't find employment as they want many years of experience within the field....my 15 years as a nurse in other clinical areas doesn't count apparently. Good luck with whatever you choose. I think I will focus on finding another career option.

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?

I know this topic has been stated before by many nurses unable to find their "fit" within the profession but this is the way I have been feeling for about 10 years now. I have been a nurse for 15 years and have been in various clinical settings such as community health, home support supervisor in the community, medical floors, clinical instructor at a local university, mental health and now as a resource (charge nurse) nurse on a mental health floor. I have always wanted to be nurse since the age of 6 (I'm 36 now), nursing is all that I have ever known. I no longer want to work at the bedside. I have completed courses in Occupational health nursing...but have been unable to find employment. I am enrolled in a MSN program but I am unsure that I will 1) find employment once completed 2) will all of a sudden find my niche. It feels like I am wasting my time and money. I started a program in Human resources at one time, but felt bad leaving the nursing profession...like I will disappoint my family. I am at a total loss as to where to turn. I no longer want to work on the floor as a staff nurse but now that I am in a more management position...the politics of the hospital are driving me crazy. Is there something that I have overlooked in regards to what can be done with a BSN? Is there anyone who is in a similar situation and what route did you take? Should I just leave nursing? I'm afraid that I will make a linear change into another area of nursing and hate it as well.