Turning a job into a career- 2yr nurse, whats next?

[Sxt100]

Hi All,

I am a little lost as what my career long term career plan is and would love some thoughts/ dialogue.

I am a 24 year old BSN, RN just reaching my two year mark at my first RN job at a great city hospital (Boston). I work on a medical/ tele floor hosting General Medicine and Infectious Disease services (we had Geri for a while but that service moved floors- and we frequently take extra off-service patients, everything from uro to trauma to NuSu). At two years I feel it is about time to move and continue learning. My short term goal is to aim for an ICU soon (in or out of my current hospital). I plan on some ER time as that has always been my goal, but I believe floor and ICU experience will make me a stronger ER nurse.

At this time, I am feeling like my current plan/ situation feels more like a job and less like a career. I need a new goal. Many people say, "go to NP school" etc, but I don't feel the practice of being a provider is what I want to do on a daily basis.

I am very interested in infectious diseases but also in emergency medicine and would love to hear suggestions of careers that I could develop with either of those focuses.

I do love to travel and would love a path that would allow for that, but "travel RN" is not all that appealing to me as it feels a little aimless for what I am looking for at this time.

Seems like I just told you what I don't want.... but I guess thats a start to weeding out and finding what I do want.. I hope! And consider going back to school or gathering appropriate certifications for it!

Additional brain dump... Med flight (after ER), ??management (long time away... degree). Don't like research nursing. Public health degree could lead to something with infectious disease, or red cross with emergency preparedness.

Thank you for your time and thoughts!!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Welcome to allnurses, we have a huge community so I am sure you will find answers to any nursing questions you may have!