I am coming up on my last semester of an ABSN program. This is my second career and I am in nursing after *thinking* I wanted to do this most of my life. My intention has been to eventually continue my education and likely go on and become a nurse practitioner. In fact, I always thought I wouldn't stop at my BSN, although I wanted to gain some experience and was leaving myself open to whatever...I mean, what if I loved nursing and wanted didn't want to go on?
Anyway, here I am, after experiencing various Med/Surg floors, a MICU, ER, a specialty/step-down floor, psych, and nothing is really calling my name. I found general Med/Surg to simply be unappealing, with it's random assignments of c-diff and detoxing, angry patients; the MICU was okay when it was busy but mostly I found it really depressing; I liked the ER (again, when we had action), but then I got really down about the crazy number of patients using it as their primary care or walk-in clinic (and likely not ever planning to pay). The specialty floor was probably the least frustrating for me because patients were receiving long-awaited for transplants and many left quite excited and happy to start their "new life." It had a different feel. But still, it also had its share of random patients, when other floors got full, and the ratios were tough.
I don't think I'm interested in working with kids. I do find myself enjoying talking to and connecting with people, although I can get worn out like anyone else. I just can't seem to figure out my sweet spot. Either that, or this profession is not for me.
I am confused about whether or not I will even like nursing at this point. I am starting to wonder if I just haven't found the thing I will like? Or will I dislike it all and I should bail? Or should I continue on to school and hope that advanced practice will suit me more???
I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas.
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I could use some advice.
I am coming up on my last semester of an ABSN program. This is my second career and I am in nursing after *thinking* I wanted to do this most of my life. My intention has been to eventually continue my education and likely go on and become a nurse practitioner. In fact, I always thought I wouldn't stop at my BSN, although I wanted to gain some experience and was leaving myself open to whatever...I mean, what if I loved nursing and wanted didn't want to go on?
Anyway, here I am, after experiencing various Med/Surg floors, a MICU, ER, a specialty/step-down floor, psych, and nothing is really calling my name. I found general Med/Surg to simply be unappealing, with it's random assignments of c-diff and detoxing, angry patients; the MICU was okay when it was busy but mostly I found it really depressing; I liked the ER (again, when we had action), but then I got really down about the crazy number of patients using it as their primary care or walk-in clinic (and likely not ever planning to pay). The specialty floor was probably the least frustrating for me because patients were receiving long-awaited for transplants and many left quite excited and happy to start their "new life." It had a different feel. But still, it also had its share of random patients, when other floors got full, and the ratios were tough.
I don't think I'm interested in working with kids. I do find myself enjoying talking to and connecting with people, although I can get worn out like anyone else. I just can't seem to figure out my sweet spot. Either that, or this profession is not for me.
I am confused about whether or not I will even like nursing at this point. I am starting to wonder if I just haven't found the thing I will like? Or will I dislike it all and I should bail? Or should I continue on to school and hope that advanced practice will suit me more???
I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas.