What type of nursing should I do?

[Woodufish2]

I have worked in Intermediate Cardiac Care for 1 year, ER for 1.5 years and moved into home health nursing (in which I worked as a field nurse for 4 months, moved into a Staff Development Role for 1 year, and for the past 11 months have been working as a Clinical Informatics Specialist). I went into home health care for one specific reason - to start a family (with no such luck at this time.) I am not confused. I love the manipulation and massaging of data. And I am the liason between the clinicial staff and the laptop computers and servers which we use for documentation. OK, long story (trying to make short...) Does anyone know of any websites that may help me more define my nursing interests? Some sort of Self-Assessment as to what area of nursing I may enjoy? when I moved into the IS position, I was to have a mentor that had been with the agency many, many years, to coach me. She quit one month after I started with the new position! And NO it wasn't because of me. In the last 11 months we have has a total conversion of the financial application of our homecare system from DOS-based Siemens MIS to windows-based Siemens Novius Financial View. And now we are going to convert 180 laptops to the Novius Clinical View System at the end of this month. This has not been a happy transition for me into nursing informatics and I could really use some input as to if I am in the wrong area of nursing altogether, or should to just give it time. I like where I work, who I work with, and no weekend or holidays (unless the systems are down). I really DO miss patient care tho. HELP!

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

I think the answer to what type of nursing you should do can only come from you. Decide what your priorities are, what you need from a job/career.....

Look at what you do now, what in nursing and what in nursing informatics you love to do or that you would do even if they did not pay you!! and go from there. I know there are several personality trait/job characteristic evaluation tools out there -Myers-Briggs is one that comes to mind. If you love working in IS but miss pt care why dont you do a few visits on the weekend or after hours. I'd suggest doing this at another agency though as performing these very different roles for the same organization might cause some confusing overlap related to practice domane and responsiblities.

Originally posted by Woodufish2

know of any websites that may help me more define my nursing interests? Some sort of Self-Assessment as to what area of nursing I may enjoy? This has not been a happy transition for me into nursing informatics and I could really use some input as to if I am in the wrong area of nursing altogether, or should to just give it time. I like where I work, who I work with, and no weekend or holidays (unless the systems are down). I really DO miss patient care tho. HELP!

[Woodufish2]

Thank you for your response. Yes, the only true answer comes from within. I believe that too. I just wanted to know if others have had the same problems identifying what they really want to do, within the nursing profession, and how they found their "true path" within nursing (or their niche). I have found many websites that have helped me to identify the characteristics of who I am and what "suites" me best. The Meyers-Briggs and the Keirsy are wonderful tools. Just want to know that I am not alone in this venture of self-discover. Again, thanks for taking the time.

Sincerly.

[alleykat]

thank you for your response. yes, the only true answer comes from within. i believe that too. i just wanted to know if others have had the same problems identifying what they really want to do, within the nursing profession, and how they found their "true path" within nursing (or their niche). i have found many websites that have helped me to identify the characteristics of who i am and what "suites" me best. the meyers-briggs and the keirsy are wonderful tools. just want to know that i am not alone in this venture of self-discover. again, thanks for taking the time.

sincerly.

you are definitely not alone! i have gone back to work on my rn to bsn. i sat down with my advisor to discuss my options... because there is really nothing in nursing that is a turn-off... and vice versa...for me. based on my results in the myers-briggs... she believes i would do well in risk management/quality assurance. so, i have been researching for info in this area of nursing. i am also interested in informatics. but, hey... i like several areas... which was my confusion... because i there is not just one in particular. i hope that i am settled somewhere soon as well.

[balleriajenn]

I am wantiing to do something in nursing just don't know what??? I am a cna already wanting to take next step up.... please help me in what kind of nursing out there....