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

[pinkdoves]

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?

[pinkdoves, BSN]

7 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

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...)

hmm I respectfully disagree. If the only nursing job in the world was wiping people's butts in the hospital this would be a different story. But in reality, there are many nurses that don't work in hospitals or in patient care. They work as researchers, educators, etc...and some (if not-most) of these people would not enjoy inpatient nursing/CNA work. That doesn't mean they aren't or shouldn't have become nurses

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

1 hour ago, pinkdoves said:

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.

How about nursing informatics?

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

31 minutes ago, pinkdoves said:

hmm I respectfully disagree. If the only nursing job in the world was wiping people's butts in the hospital this would be a different story. But in reality, there are many nurses that don't work in hospitals or in patient care. They work as researchers, educators, etc...and some (if not-most) of these people would not enjoy inpatient nursing/CNA work. That doesn't mean they aren't or shouldn't have become nurses

However, through nursing school, direct patient care is what students are doing, and most nurses do end up at the bedside for at least a little time. Some direct orient care is inevitable, and it truly does hello develop one's crucial thinking in a unique and necessary way - even if because isn't the end goal!

I really wish hospital-based diploma programs were more of a thing now. That seems like by far the best exposure to what nursing is really like.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, pinkdoves said:

hmm I respectfully disagree. If the only nursing job in the world was wiping people's butts in the hospital this would be a different story. 

I'm not sure if I missed the nuance in your statement due to the written word or if you meant to be condescending. You can learn a LOT as a CNA or PCT in medical settings. At the very least, you can help determine if you have the temperament to work with sick people. 

[0.9%NormalSarah, BSN, RN]

I agree with commenters saying one should have to get a CNA before nursing school. My school required this and I think it was pretty valuable. At the very minimum nurses have to be able to learn basic care and how to act in the medical environment, as well as how to be courteous with their patients. In the ICU aside from all the bells and whistles we really do a lot of basic care!

As for goals in nursing, I still want to do direct patient care, but I’m hoping in the future it will be in an advanced role like flight. At least a few more years of great ICU experience first, though! I’m not in a rush, I’m enjoying the constant learning and growing my environment requires of me.