RN 6 months - How long does it take to find your nitch?

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I have been an RN for 6 months working in a Family Practice clinic. It was not my first choice as I wanted to go into Med/Surg but there weren't many positions open at the time and I was extremely lucky to be where I am for the time being. However, working in a clinic is not my thing and right now I feel trapped. I have not found my nitch yet and I am wondering how long will it take until I find something that I really feel passionate about. :heartbeat

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

I think a lot of us come out of school wanting to use all our skills and practice nursing in a hospital the way we were taught to. I'm not surprised you are feeling a little itchy in a clinic setting.

I think 6 months is plenty of time to decide what is NOT your niche. You have a little experience now; start applying to hospitals again and see what happens. You will (I would imagine) have a leg up on the true, no-experience new grads now. (Don't quit your job until you have a new one though --- not now!!)

As far as finding a hospital specialty, there are many and they are varied. If you have no idea whatsoever, just take what you can get in this market and after that, start looking around and see what appeals to you. You will eventually get floated to other units in the hospital and will get a taste of what different specialties are like.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Be patient. 6 months is just starting. I'd give anything for your job. Meanwhile learn everything you can where you are. That way when opportunity knocks, you'll be ready.

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:p I am almost two years in the profession but I still haven't found my nitch... It's just that I feel I still haven't learned enough to pursue a specialty...I don't know maybe I'm just plain stupid...
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Specializes in Med/Surg.

What interested and excited you most in school? I would go for a job in that area but still keep the one you have until you get an offer.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Don't concern yourself with finding a 'niche' or specialty for a while. I did Neonatal ICU right out of school, then IV Therapy for a few years. ICU, both med and surg, Acute dialysis, eventually Home Health.

I would go back to IV Therapy if I could, and I loved both dialysis and home health.

I moved alot during my career, so different things opened up for me. Keep in mind that many nurses stay in plain old med/surg for their entire career.

If there is no particular area that grabs you, go for whatever hospital position you can to gain more experience.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

azilliRN-

niche: a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing.

nitch: a hitch which has the stem from its h removed.

You could always try being Zen about it, and let your niche find you. However, since you're looking, I'm guessing you're more into the immediate-gratification thing.

Good luck in your search, azilliRN.

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Hmm... There is the spectrum from utter misery to the job you feel passionate about and you can't wait to go to work.

Most of us live somewhere between the extremes in the world of good days and bad days, mostly tolerable conditions, and good but not fabulous co-workers. If it wasn't work, they wouldn't have to pay us.

If really passionate is important to you, then make a project of researching other areas of nursing. Take your time to land the job you trully want rather than what you settle for.

It will probably take a while in these times.

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Specializes in General Surgery, Orthopaedics, ICU, ER.

I find it so odd that many new grad nurses in the US aren't getting jobs in acute care/hospitals after graduation...isn't there a nursing shortage? There is in Canada! Over half of my class were hired for our local hospital in acute care permanent full-time positions 2 months before we even finished school! We all now have our temporary licenses (until we pass our CRNE exam and get our full license) and have been working for almost 3 months!

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Specializes in CVICU.

My niche is L&D, but I've never worked in it. I'm in CVICU, where everyone keeps telling me I'd hate L&D because it's very "crotchy". LOL. Anyway, you'll figure it out, everyone's different.

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
My niche is L&D, but I've never worked in it. I'm in CVICU, where everyone keeps telling me I'd hate L&D because it's very "crotchy". LOL. Anyway, you'll figure it out, everyone's different.

I think I would love L&D. I am an adult ICU nurse. My coworkers think I'm crazy too.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i have been an rn for 6 months working in a family practice clinic. it was not my first choice as i wanted to go into med/surg but there weren't many positions open at the time and i was extremely lucky to be where i am for the time being. however, working in a clinic is not my thing and right now i feel trapped. i have not found my nitch yet and i am wondering how long will it take until i find something that i really feel passionate about. :heartbeat

six months is just a tiny speck of time. you won't really know whether working in a clinic is your thing or not until you have at least a year -- maybe two -- of solid experience under your belt. at six months i would guess that you're still basically finding your way.

it's best to stick out a job at least a year -- to stay less than a year doesn't send a message of reliability and dependability when you're looking for your next job. it will take you at least that long anyway to get some solid nursing experience so that when you apply for an acute care position you can apply as an experienced nurse.

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