Becoming a professional nurse is no easy feat, but it’s certainly an admirable one. That’s because the nursing profession is regarded as one of the most trusted in the world. But, with so many nursing specialties, how do you know if you have picked the right nursing career?
Well, for starters, in your chosen nursing specialty, you should manifest feelings of empathy, compassion, and a commitment to quality patient care.
At the same time, it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your career path from time to time. In general, however, you should feel good about showing up to work every day. With this in mind, here are five sure clues that you picked the right nursing career.
1. You Picked the Best Nursing Career for Your Personality
Many aspiring nurses face a crossroads when choosing a specific nursing specialty. And since every nursing specialty requires a specific set of nursing skills and a certain amount of years studying at an accredited nursing school, choosing the right nursing profession can be challenging.
However, recent studies have shown that personality can contribute to becoming a successful nursing professional and improve the quality of patient care service. For example, registered nurses may possess the following personality traits:
- Altruistic: Individuals who work RN jobs are selfless and have a great concern for the well-being of others.
- Empathetic: Registered nurses have a strong capacity to understand the feelings of others.
- Caring: Successful nurses are inherently kindhearted and warm. They are also drawn to working with people who are unable to care for themselves (i.e., the sick and elderly).
Similarly, other nursing specialties call for different personality traits. For example, a critical care nurse may exhibit higher levels of dominance and assertiveness but lower levels of empathy. Yet, these personality traits may help protect critical care nurses from nurse burnout.
Another example is the pediatric nursing profession. Highly successful pediatric nurses may be playful, sensitive to others, and have excellent communication skills. Likewise, a pediatric nurse will work well with children and have a high level of patience.
Do you feel like your personality matches the demands of your nursing specialty? If so, you likely picked the right nursing career for you. For more frequently asked questions on nursing specialties and personality traits, make sure you check out Nursing Specialties for Each Personality Type here.
2. You Have a Good Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance not only benefits a nurse on a personal level but also improves patient care. That's because a healthy work-life balance enhances a nurse's overall mental and physical health improving overall job performance and satisfaction.
If you are wondering if you have picked the right nursing profession, you may want to consider how much time you set aside for yourself. For example, a nurse who has work-life harmony will prioritize self-care and have a strong support system from their colleagues and loved ones.
Conversely, a nurse who struggles to find time for themselves outside of work can be at risk for nurse burnout. Nurse burnout can occur for several reasons, but a critical reason may be that a nurse is no longer on the correct career path. Signs that a nurse is struggling with burnout include the following:
- Compassion fatigue which results from an overwhelmed response to everyday trauma
- Dreading going to and showing up for work
- Overall emotional and physical exhaustion
- Your career no longer gives you the same satisfaction as before
While it can take some time to figure out if you are personally struggling with nurse burnout, if you feel that your personal nursing goals are not what they used to be, you may be heading for burnout. On the contrary, if you generally feel energized going to work each day, you are likely in the correct nursing profession for you.
3. You Feel Confident in Your Nursing Skills
It’s normal to experience feelings of inadequacy once in a while. After all, every day, your nursing skills are put to the test, and the pressure to show up flawlessly at your nursing job can feel daunting. And while it’s common to doubt your nursing skills every once in a while—hello, you’re human—doubting yourself on a consistent basis can be concerning.
That said, if you feel confident about your nursing skills, such as your leadership skills, management skills, etc., you are most likely in the right nursing career for you. Additionally, if you receive consistent positive praise about your nursing performance from either your nursing colleagues or supervisor, you are likely on the right career path!
4. Your Patients Appreciate You
A nurse in the right nursing profession will have a history of patients that highly appreciate them. In fact, building and maintaining strong relationships with patients is a sign of being a good nurse. Into the bargain, a nurse who feels motivated and inspired by their career will be even more motivated to build relationships with patients based on mutual respect, advocacy, and effective communication.
Additionally, a nurse who is feeling connected in their career will take the time to listen to a patient’s needs and will want to go the extra mile to ensure compassionate and quality care. If you feel like there is mutual appreciation between you and your nursing patients, it’s safe to say you likely picked the right nursing career.
5. You Want to Advance in Your Nursing Career
Finally, one of the best ways to know if you are in the right nursing career is if you feel motivated to improve your nursing skills and advance in your field. For example, let’s say you are a certified nursing assistant (CNA) with aspirations to become a registered nurse. You may then decide to enroll in a CNA-to-RN bridge program in order to get your associate degree in nursing (ADN). Or, keeping in mind that some of the highest-paid RN jobs are for individuals with a four-year degree, you may want to seek out an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. In either scenario, the willingness to learn and advance in your nursing career is a great sign that you are in the right profession for you.
Reflecting on Your Nursing Career
The right nursing career can set you up for a successful and fulfilling professional life. It’s important, therefore, to choose a nursing specialty that fills your cup both on a mental and physical level. On the other hand, if you feel like your nursing career isn’t right for you, there is always time to reevaluate your priorities and change your direction.
Ultimately, however, if you wake up most days energized and excited to go to work, it’s safe to say you made the right decision to become a nurse in your field!
