unique/exciting jobs for nurses?

[pinkygirl]

Hey Everyone,

forgive my ignorance if a thread has already been started regarding this topic, I am new to the site and have been cruising on it for a while now and didn't see much with answers that helped. hoping this does!

I graduated in 08' and am currently working in an acute rehabilitation hospital located within a trauma hospital. I love the people I work with and love that I get a variety of patients. I had no idea rehabilitation would offer such a variety! that being said, I have been feeling the itch for something more! I had the blessed opportunity to join in on a medical mission trip during my schooling in college and loved every minutes of it. It was raw, dirty, and real! I think I loved the autonomy of it. No legal issues like CMS or JCAHO always being the basis for my care (regardless if it actually made the work environment more harmful/difficult instead of safe/helpful). Believe me I understand its purpose and that it actualy does prevent a lot of harm/illegal in a lot of otherwise non-regulated areas...but I feel as if Im always being observed under a microscope for something we've done WRONG, instead of getting any account what we've have done well/right.

I guess the mission trip made me feel useful and important, and I felt good being able to use my skills and provide for others what they would otherwise not be able to get: medicine, checkups, vaccines, teaching etc. Also the non-repetitive tasks of hospital nursing was a interesting change

Lately I have been researching all sorts of options: home health, critical care, flight nurse, oncology, hospice etc. but I can't deny myself that I want to travel and see parts of the world and provide to them. Yea sure, Ill get to travel (who doesn't like that?!) but at the same time I am not the typical traveler, I do not travel to see the touristy things, I like to see the real country! the true grit if you will : ) I have looked into navy nursing due to their travels to several ports across the world and their relief missions, also airforce for similar reasons, and MSC positions. I have even tried to see if there was anything like nurses needed on tv/movie/play sets, cruises etc... but requirements seem tough and lengthy!

I guess this is my cry for advice and help! Does anyone currently hold a position/have performed anything like what I have described above? been a navy or airforce nurse? been able to find cool/unique jobs that could be fun/exciting? I need a boost! I think that in the end I will likely be a floor/rehab nurse b/c I do enjoy it. But I dont want to look back on my career in 20 years and regret not doing something totally unique and interesting with it!

Thanks for any help/answers or suggestions you can provide! its much appreciated!