What is your final "goal" for nursing? What if I don't have one?

Davey Do · Jan 19, 2022

My final goal in nursing was to receive a prestigious award in recognition of my work as a nurse, fight the good fight, and retire.

Of which I have done.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Jan 19, 2022

I get this. I was never interested in NP either. I did get my MSN in something I found interesting to study but would honestly probably not enjoy for work, so that was a waste of precious time and money.

I think my ultimate goal is to do bedside as long as I can. Despite all the nonsense I do like taking care of people, and we need nurses who want to stick around in direct care for a while. Also, I like only having to get pumped up for work three times a week. Once I truly can't do this anymore, I'm not sure. Maybe teach?

Can you see yourself going back to school at all, even if not for nursing?

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Jan 19, 2022

I think that there is so much pressure these days for everyone to want to be something "more". I hated it when in interviews people would ask "where do you see yourself in five years"? What's wrong with seeing yourself becoming competent and then excelling at the position you are applying for? Not everyone wants to be a CEO, not all nurses want to be a NP or CRNA. There should be nothing wrong with wanting to stay in a position and just do that job well.

Now I realize that you also don't have a desire to stay at the bedside, so I'm not really sure what to tell you. You will most likely require a retraining period of some sort for any other field of work. There's nothing wrong with not enjoying nursing, many people have multiple careers these days. I hope that you are able to find something that more closely meets what you're looking for professionally and personally. Good luck.

ladedah1, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2022

1 hour ago, NightNerd said:

I get this. I was never interested in NP either. I did get my MSN in something I found interesting to study but would honestly probably not enjoy for work, so that was a waste of precious time and money.

I think my ultimate goal is to do bedside as long as I can. Despite all the nonsense I do like taking care of people, and we need nurses who want to stick around in direct care for a while. Also, I like only having to get pumped up for work three times a week. Once I truly can't do this anymore, I'm not sure. Maybe teach?

Can you see yourself going back to school at all, even if not for nursing?

Yes! I don't know if I could ever go back to some variation of 9-5, working five days a week! Cram the hours in and get em' done!!

Daisy4RN · Jan 19, 2022

I think your feelings are normal. Nursing was a second career for me and all I wanted to do was work at the bedside; however, that did change as the hospital environment deteriorated over the years. Like you I was not interested in further education bc the cost would not justify itself r/t the years I intended to work. Your situation may be different though and something you may consider whether nursing or a different field (after doing a cost analysis). Have you considered anything out patient that would not require more education, pediatric clinic maybe? Either way you should not feel obligated to pursue further education bc of pressure from anyone. Think about what will work best for you bc you are the one that has to live with your decision, you do you! It didn’t take too long for my “goal” to be retirement but that didn’t stop me from trying different jobs when I didn’t like one.
Good luck!

Guest 1152923 · Jan 19, 2022

7 hours ago, pinkdoves said:

I currently work as a NICU RN in a level IV hospital. It's really good experience honestly, even though it is stressful. Something I did notice is that almost ALL of my coworkers are working up to something different or higher...

tons are going for NP, CNS (nurse specialist), etc. I used to be really ambitious, but then as I actually began working as a nurse, I realized I don't really like any of the options. I also hate bedside nursing.

These reasons lead me to believe I should pursue a different career, because...what exactly am I working towards? I just feel kind of lost in my career.

I really do like working with children, but I know I cannot work at the bedside for probably longer than a year. My mental health is in the garbage and I have been only working at the bedside for a little over 2 years.

Does anyone else share the sentiment in that the other avenues of nursing just don't sound interesting? I don't care about nursing enough to go back for something nursing related. Is this normal or do I just not like...being a nurse?

Yes, with the exception of anesthesia, no other areas of nursing really appeal to me. In my opinion, for a masters prepared nurse, the money isn't there and doesn't favor a clear benefit over cost for me anyway. I would choose engineering as an alternate career pathway. Same approximate length of educational preparedness but waaaaay better hours, more respect, no bodily fluids, no exposure to infectious viruses, no screaming patients, same (or better) $. Grass is always greener but this is kind of a no-brainer if you ask me

pinkdoves, BSN · Jan 24, 2022

On 1/19/2022 at 5:04 PM, morelostthanfound said:

Yes, with the exception of anesthesia, no other areas of nursing really appeal to me. In my opinion, for a masters prepared nurse, the money isn't there and doesn't favor a clear benefit over cost for me anyway. I would choose engineering as an alternate career pathway. Same approximate length of educational preparedness but waaaaay better hours, more respect, no bodily fluids, no exposure to infectious viruses, no screaming patients, same (or better) $. Grass is always greener but this is kind of a no-brainer if you ask me

ngl, I am considering going back to school for computer science. Nursing just doesn't appeal to me and I do not want to do this for a long time.

londonflo · Jan 24, 2022

I guess 'caring for others' is not in your vocabulary for a job; but I do have to ask... why and when did 'professional nursing' figure into your career plans at all?

pinkdoves, BSN · Jan 24, 2022

1 minute ago, londonflo said:

I guess 'caring for others' is not in your vocabulary for a job; but I do have to ask... why and when did 'professional nursing' figure into your career plans at all?

LOL thank u for making my day !

londonflo · Jan 24, 2022

Just now, pinkdoves said:

LOL thank u for making my day !

. Why did you go into nursing? Any insight for "why and when did 'professional nursing' figure into your career plans at all?" You took up a coveted space and when your grandparents, parents, sibling and children need a nursing bed... Oh .. you can say "LOL thank u for making my day !".

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2022

1 hour ago, londonflo said:

I guess 'caring for others' is not in your vocabulary for a job; but I do have to ask... why and when did 'professional nursing' figure into your career plans at all?

I've thought for a long time (and continue to) that nursing schools should require people to first get CNA certification and work a certain number of hours in patient care prior to matriculating into nursing courses. (This wouldn't apply to gen ED and pre-reqs...)