DISCOVERING YOUR NURSING SELF

Module Two

THINGS TO DO:

LISTEN TO AUDIO LESSONSCOMPLETE WORKBOOK

THINK AND REFLECT

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TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE BEST AT!

In this section, I want you to think back upon the skills you've been recognized for in the past. This could be in school, clinicals, or previous positions. What do you enjoy the most about nursing? Do you enjoy procedures or patient education? High-acuity situations or preventive care? What types of patients do you enjoy caring for the most? Sick? Healthy? Certain age? Certain specialty? Think about these questions and then fill in the following worksheet.

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WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?

WHAT SKILLS / ASPECTS OF NURSING DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

DO YOU PREFER PROCEDURES OR PATIENT TEACHING / EDUCATION?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PATIENT POPULATION?

ARE THERE ANY SPECIALTIES THAT YOU LOVE WORKING WITH?

DO YOU PREFER HIGH-ACUITY, CRITICAL PATIENTS OR MORE HEALTHY, INTERACTIVE PATIENTS?

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S t r e n g t hs F i n d e r

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NEXT I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT MOTIVATE YOU

Here we are talking about things that you value in your personal life and work life balance. What are your lifestyle priorities? Some examples are: -Home by dinner time-Extended time off / travel-Set schedule-Family time-Childcare / school hours

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WHAT ARE YOUR MOTIVATORS?

REFLECT ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE AND MAKE A LIST OF YOUR TOP MOTIVATORS IN THE SPACE BELOW

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Pe r s on a l Mo t i v a t o r s

WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIALTIES - THERE ARE MANY

TO CHOOSE FROM!

There are two main categories of nursing specialties: -Direct Patient Care-Indirect Patient care The next few pages will give you an overview of the different options for each category. You can use your strengths and your personal motivators to help you figure out what specialty may be best for you.

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DISCOVER NURSING SPECIALTIES & SETTINGS

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Specialty Breakdown

ACUTE CARE SETTINGSUB-ACUTE CARE SETTINGOUTPATIENT SETTING

DIRECT PATIENT CAREThere are so many different direct patient care specialties. Almost too many to list! There are three main categories. You might decide first what acuity category you are comfortable in, and then discover a niche from there. Or, you may decide to choose a specialty that encompasses all settings to keep your options open for growth and development within the specialty.

INDIRECT PATIENT CARE

ADMINISTRATIONINFORMATICSNURSE MANAGEMENTCONSULTINGRESEARCH

Indirect patient care tends to be more administrative and encompasses leadership roles as well. Some nurses decide to start in this arena, however it's recommended that you have a background in direct patient care before you transition to indirect care. It can be difficult to return to direct patient care after being away from it for a bit!

NURSE EDUCATIONNURSE WRITERCASE MANAGEMENTINSURANCE / UTILIZATIONLEGAL NURSING

DIRECT PATIENT CARE SPECIALTY MATRIX

WHAT ARE THE NURSING SPECIALTIES THAT APPEAL TO YOU THE MOST RIGHT NOW AFTER COMPLETING THIS WORKBOOK?

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU ARE STILL UNSURE ABOUT THAT YOU WILL NEED TO REFLECT ON A BIT MORE DURING THIS PROCESS?

Bra ins t o rmBASED ON THE PREVIOUS WORKSHEETS, IT'S TIME TO

PUT SOME THOUGHTS DOWN ABOUT WHAT RESONATES WITH YOU!

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No t es

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