Have You Discovered Your Passion Yet?

Now that you are pursuing your professional education, are you giving thought to what your long-term goal is?  Your Academic Advisors have encouraged you every step of the way to set up both short-term and long-term goals as you began each of your courses. 

What do you really want to do when you finish your studies?  What do you have a real passion for?  Where do you feel you could make a significant difference?  The New Year has just begun, and this is always a good time to do a personal inventory, a time to take an introspective look at where we are and where we are going. 

As Brian Tracy said, “Living without clear goals is like driving in a thick fog.”  It does not matter how great your vehicle might be, if you cannot see where you are going, and do not know what direction you are headed in, how can you have any idea where you will end up? Many roads will open up to you when you reach the end of this part of your educational journey.  Many of you may decide to keep the momentum going and start taking courses toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Given the direction of healthcare and nursing today, that would be a wise decision.  As professionals, we need to have a deep desire to learn and to keep on learning.  That thirst for knowledge should be insatiable, and keep us motivated to expand our minds every day.  If you want to move on to an expanded nursing role, such as becoming a nurse midwife, a certified nurse anesthetist, a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist, then you need to stay on this path because all of these are graduate programs in nursing.  But, if this is your dream, then know what steps you need to take to get there, and be relentless as you persevere.

As you step into your new role as a registered nurse, you will find that different options may present themselves to you.  Are you one who likes to analyze everything; a person who needs to know all the whys and what for's?   Then perhaps you would find fulfillment in a research position with a private organization, or in a research committee in a facility you may already work in. 

There are many groups conducting research on specific diseases like cancer or diabetes; the list is endless.  There is also the Human Genome Project that has brought about a lot of research on genetics, and this field is only likely to keep exploding in the future.

Do you always feel frustrated because you would like to do more for your patients before they are discharged from the hospital?  Perhaps you would be well suited for a role as a patient educator, or patient care coordinator.  Many hospitals have been setting up pre-op classes.  This role allows you to use your skills at teaching, as well as communication skills needed to help allay anxiety prior to surgery.  Becoming certified as a Diabetes Educator is another specialization that makes one a very valuable asset these days.  Figure out what fires you up and the doors will open.

If continuity of care is your mission, and you like to know that all the pieces of the puzzle have come together, case management would be a wonderful opportunity for you to use these strengths.   With individuals needing to access countless resources to resolve some medical issues, or to move from one level of care to another, it has become even more critical to safe and effective patient care, that one person has a handle on the big picture.  If you really like to take charge and organize, then this is the place for you.

Nursing informatics is another area that is evolving by the day, almost faster than we can keep up.  Technology has not spared the nursing world.  So much has to be set up behind-the-scenes before a system can function effectively for a facility.  If you are a “techy” and would enjoy building the foundation templates that healthcare providers will use every day, and are driven to make things user-friendly, then this is an area you may wish to explore.  The need for electronic medical records has created a myriad of new nursing positions.

Consumer needs will drive the future of nursing and the new roles that will emerge.  Nurses with specialization in geriatrics, cancer care, or chronic conditions will be needed for the aging baby-boomer generation.   There will be an especially high demand in non-acute settings, such as long-term care, clinics, hospice, and home care.  Employment opportunities will be unlimited.   Healthcare reform is also likely to usher in a host of new nursing jobs.  The strategy is to change the nation’s “disease-care system” to one with a more comprehensive focus on prevention and public health.  This could open countless opportunities for nurses prepared to step into those roles.

Prevention and public health go hand-in-hand with caring for the underserved population.  If you have a special place in your heart for those in dire need, for individuals without insurance, for the poor and the homeless, there are innumerable opportunities for you to bring your gifts to these groups.   There are clinics, public health centers, and community centers that are always looking for nurses who genuinely care for this population.  If you want to bring your skills to an area where you will really be needed, then this may be a viable option for you.

In a recent article on nurse recruitment, employers said they are being very cautious in their selection process when hiring for nursing positions, because they are looking for nurses who have a commitment to the profession, to that facility, to patient care and to quality.  They are steering clear of individuals who are more concerned about a job and a salary.  Employers are looking for individuals who are caring, compassionate, dedicated and wanting to continue to learn and grow, and are not just interested in filling a vacancy. 

Tom Hopkins said, “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.”   Make it a habit to visualize your goals, see yourself where you want to be, and imagine that you have no limitations of what you can do or be.  You are the future of our nursing profession.  Take some time now to reflect on what your passion really is, and set the plan to be able to live it.

Angele Bennett, RN, MS
Rue Education & Innovative Academic Solutions
Nurse Education Coordinator