UGH, I want to find my niche already!

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 1, 2015

I realized the OR was my niche when I completed my senior preceptorship in perioperative services. However, even within the OR it was about 6 years until I found my true niche specializing in cardiothoracic surgery.

You don't mention where you're currently working, but did say you just started. Give it time, especially if you are making the transition from student to novice nurse. It's going to take time (and probably a reality shock when realizing that real world nursing is nothing like what you probably were told in school) to feel like a competent nurse.

Farawyn · Aug 1, 2015

Psh, I still haven't found mine.

ChronicSG · Aug 1, 2015

Currently doing Oncology @Rose_Queen! But it has been 2 weeks worth of orientation and haven't gotten my feet wet. Get on the unit tuesday 8/4/2015. Been seeing all the different vascular access devices we're gonna use, and all those potent drugs as well. Definitely looking forward to it! I'm like a sponge and have liked everything in school so far, just want to see what I love. Haven't had that "THIS IS IT!" moment I guess. The closest to that was Cath lab when I saw a glimpse of it in my preceptorship when I went off the tele unit. It's amazing seeing them scrub in, use all those awesome tools, see the re-initialization of cardiac perfusion etc. I guess I'm a very visual person and these hands on skills are where it's at for me!

Honestly, I wish I hadn't know about CRNA, I'm the kind of person that doesn't want to just look at the money, but it is enticing. If i hadn't, i probably would have been going around everywhere! But because of it, I want to get into the ICU as soon as I can, shadow one, and rule out whether it's for me or not. TOO MUCH opportunity in nursing!

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Aug 1, 2015

I always get so jealous of all these nurses that have practiced in a specific field for eons and become experts within them... I just started, and I know it's something that takes time but damn I'm impatient -___-
i wish i didn't like everything I rotated through (except psych ðŸ˜‚). How long did it take all of you to find your niche in nursing? Hoping to find mine soon ðŸ˜

I know what you mean! I kept waiting all through nursing school for that A-ha! moment, the one that told me THIS was the nursing specialty I was meant for. I admit to being slightly envious of my classmates who knew exactly what area of nursing they wanted to go into. When it came to finding a job, I decided to go for the area I was fascinated by during my observations. I'm crossing my fingers that will be my niche. Wish me luck -- I start next week. I'm certainly going to give it my all.

allnurses Guide · Aug 1, 2015

I never really had a goal of finding a niche, but that's probably because I don't seem to have a personality where identifiable ah-Ha moments occur. I have found a few areas in nursing that really resonate with my personality, but that has been more of a trial and error process.

Now that the job market doesn't really support the kind of flexibility and opportunity we had in the olden days, "know thyself" is a pretty good way to get an idea of where you will feel comfortable and shine. I like jobs where I can use communication and "people skills" rather than rapid-clip, "never see the same person twice" type jobs, for example.

One thing I struggled with at first was the "not a real nurse" shame game that some nurses like to play. I feel if you like working in an office or in cosmetic surgery or wherever you feel your heart might be let the judgmental comments from other nurses roll right off.

Best wishes to you!

NOADLS · Aug 1, 2015

I don't see the big deal about finding that specific field where you would ideally fit in. Work conditions and pay are two of the bigger factors I look at before even looking at the field.

ChronicSG · Aug 3, 2015

I don't see the big deal about finding that specific field where you would ideally fit in. Work conditions and pay are two of the bigger factors I look at before even looking at the field.

Although those are two very important aspects in one's job, I never felt they were the most important thing to look out for. There's a balance. Quite frankly, if I don't like what I do for a living, what's the point of living? However, if money is what makes you feel alive, more power to you! As long as a patient is being cared for, who cares why you do it.