What's wrong here?

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

Hi guys! I would love some advice and guidance from some of the nurses here,please.

I'm a new grad and in school several of my instructors told me:" you're made for critical care".

I didn't really know what to make of it then and still sort of don't....I was also spoken to about being "too direct" and to "smile more". I'm an army spouse and a military brat-all my life everything has been very 'direct':/

My favorite part of clinical was hands down wound care. I love it! I get to focus on the body and assist in the healing process-hands on. I'm also a disaster relief volunteer nurse with the RedCross,which is a passion of mine. It started after we were effected by Hurricane Katrina...that experience is what actually made me want to become a nurse in the first place!

I hate kissing anyone's butt..I feel like there's a lot of that in nursing and it's quite revolting. I do love nursing! However I feel as though I need a very specific area. I worked in detox and hated every second of it. Too much talking and mentally fragile people (clients and staff). I'm not good at patting someone on the back and holding long conversations about their feelings. That sounds really horrible but it's the truth! I'm grateful there are people that are awesome at it because we need you! Unfortunately that's not a talent I have,though.

I'm fascinated with disease processes and by the body in general. What should I do? I don't think this makes me a bad nurse-I think it gives me some untraditional options in my career,lol. Ones beyond your traditional bedside nurse. I ultimately want to go into advanced practice...hoping that will be a better fit for my personality.

Thoughts??

Advice??

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

The roles you are wanting still require x amount of bedside nursing. And regardless of what role in nursing, you will have to maintain some level of bedside manner or not have a job anymore. Its now considered a service industry, with customer satisfaction as its driver. Even a NP has to be diplomatic, or patients will go seek another provider. Only CRNA may fulfill your needs in the end, but years of bedside practice still necessary. Good luck

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I think your instructors may be cluing in to the fact that you're a quick learner with an assertive personality - this is a good fit for critical care. However, if you're an LVN, you'll have to become an RN(BSN) to make the leap into critical care. CC patient care requires nurses to continuously assess & rapidly intervene... which is beyond the LVN scope of practice.

I am curious about your "butt kissing" comment. Nursing is a team sport ... There are no super-stars. No one can run a code single-handedly ... so it is important to be able to work with others. Empathy is important. Patients will always be vulnerable and fragile - that's why they need us. It really won't matter how fabulous you are. If you can't get along with others, your career options are very limited.

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

It has almost been one year since you posted this! I now have a stronger understanding of what they were saying;) I appreciate your comment because all of it rang true. Im currently looking into RN programs,I am about to be a new mother and I'm still an Army Spouse. Those two factors make it extremely difficult to find a program suitable for my lifestyle! Im looking into Excelsior (never thought I would be doing that) because it seems to be suitable for me at this stage of my life. Im completely unhappy with my limitations as a LVN. Any thoughts about excelsior as an option??