I have been a nurse for more than 20 years. If there is any advice I can give new graduates or nurses today it would be to really think about what you want out of your nursing career. I knew at the young age of 14 I wanted to be a nurse. After becoming a nurse I realize now I allowed many of my experiences to be left up to chance. My nursing path turned and twisted down a road which took me to Oncology Nursing. This has been very fulfilling for me in many ways. However, at my deepest longing there really was another path I wish I had followed. Looking back is hindsight and hindsight is 20/20.

My passions and dreams are unique to me as well as your dreams and passions are for you. Personally, I have always been attracted to natural health and complementary and integrative therapies. Early in my nursing career, I just didn’t see how nursing integrated with natural health. I felt I needed to either be a nurse and work in a traditional hospital setting, or work in natural health which was a passion of mine. I didn’t see at the time I could have integrated the two. I have nurse friends that capitalize on their passions for the natural such as yoga, reflexology, aromatherapy, and cellular nutrition education. I am now following my passion and integrating this with being a nurse.

Your passions may be totally different. You may have a passion to see babies born and help new moms nurse the new lives, but you work in ICU and are miserable. Why do we end up in jobs that are not a good fit for us? Some theories are you need a few years solid medical-surgical nursing before you branch out into specialties. I see that reasoning if you want to work in home health. I believe you do need a good base of experience before working more independently. However, if you have a passion to help bring new lives into the world, will you get a bad taste in your mouth for nursing if you take a position in an area where you really don’t want to work but it was the only opening at the time? Just a thought…

As a new nurse, you really may not have a clear idea of the area you want to work. Many hospitals have new nurse intern programs where you work a few days or weeks in most all areas in the hospital. If you don’t have a clear cut area you wish to work, starting out in a basic medical surgical unit may be a great idea.

If you have a particular area you want to work, then start right away taking steps to get there. Look up CEU’s associated with the particular area you wish to work, and complete these courses. Sign up for workshops in the areas you wish to learn more about. Find places to volunteer in areas of your interest. Beef up your resume in the area you want to work by doing these things and forming your portfolio.

If you really need clarity, find a good coach. Coaches don’t give you the answers, but help you bring up the answers that are already within you. I took this step and it has really brought clarity to me and I am now on a focused path. Like I said, hindsight is 20/20. I would be far ahead at this point as a Holistic Nurse if I had started on this path when I first became a nurse. The great thing for me is I am now focusing on my area of passion, and I am very happy.

Steps to take: 1) take an honest look at where you are. 2) realize where you really want to be. 3) Start taking steps to get there. I would really love to hear from you and have you share with me as you are becoming focused and beginning to make your career plans.