What type of nursing should I recommend to my student?

[coventrysleeps]

I am a part-time clinical instructor, and my students are finishing their final clinical rotations and getting ready to head into preceptorships, and then to apply to residency programs in our city.

I have one student who is extremely book-smart, but a little socially awkward, and has a significant amount of anxiety. She is incredibly compassionate with her patients and spends good quality time taking care of them (and they love her), but she struggles with time management as it takes her a very long time to complete tasks such as passing meds or dressing changes. She is an extremely concrete thinker and sometimes struggles to recognize humor.

She is looking for direction in the nursing world. Where will she fit in? (for example, she knows that critical care will only stress her out, so ED/ICU/cath lab/&tc are out.) Where will her unique blend of skills and challenges best serve her patients, but also allow her to thrive?

Grateful for suggestions!

Stay warm out there!

[J.Adderton, BSN, MSN]

Has she thought about rehabilitation nursing. Her concrete thinking may be beneficial with safety measures needed after joint replacements, CVA ect. Inpatient rehab will give the opportunity to develop clinical skills at a slower pace.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

It’s not a cash cow but pediatric home health privet duty is friendly to that type of personality.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I was thinking acute rehab for her...but if she has a significant amount of anxiety, that is only going to get worse with a nursing job. The social skills can be developed on the job. I would recommend treatment for anxiety before anything else.