How I, a Nurse Who Was Anxious About Being 'Nobody,' Came to Take Pride in Being a Generalist

Hello, I'm Natsu.
It has been 12 years since I became a nurse after working in a different field.
When 'I can't' turns into 'I can' a little bit, nursing becomes much more fun.
I share information so that everyone can continue to enjoy being a nurse.

Today, I'm talking about careers.


A few years into being a nurse.
Once you reach the position of what is called a 'mid-level' nurse, you cannot avoid the term'career design'.

In my first and second years, I was desperate just to get through the tasks in front of me.
But once I was able to do the work to a certain extent, I suddenly found myself at a standstill.

'What do I want to become from here on?'

As my peers started aiming to become certified nurses or began walking the path toward management, I felt anxious because I hadn't found any particular specialty I wanted to pursue, and I felt like I was just 'going with the flow'.

Today, I will talk about how to find a 'career that is true to yourself,' which I encountered during a training session.

'Generalist' is not a choice made by process of elimination

How do you perceive the word'generalist'?

Embarrassingly, I used to believe that continuing to work on the front lines without a clear title like a certified nurse (specialist) or head nurse (manager) was not a 'path I chose myself,' but rather the 'result of not being able to choose anything else.'

However, the definition I heard during the training session completely changed my assumptions.

When I heard this, my perspective suddenly opened up.

Even without a special title, giving my all for the patient in front of me and continuing to coordinate the front lines.
That was a respectable and proud 'career choice.'

'The nursing you want to aim for' is in your past memories

During the lecture, there was an exercise where we had to write down 'interactions with patients that stayed in our hearts.'
What I recalled was an episode of a casual, yet deep, conversation with a patient.
When I finished writing that episode, the instructor said this.

'What you wrote there is the nursing you truly want to aim for.'

I was struck.

What I wanted to value was not looking at the 'dot' of an illness, but supporting the entire 'line' of the life that person has walked.

Before being a 'patient,' the person in front of me is 'a human being' who has been loved by someone and has ideas they cherish.

I want to be a nurse who protects that obvious fact. I became convinced that this was the direction I should head in.

'My strengths' that those around me taught me

When thinking about my career, another thing that gave me a push was the 'my strengths interview' I did as a pre-assignment.

You don't really know yourself on your own.
I am often told to watch my language. My voice is loud.

But when I asked the people around me, they told me many strengths I hadn't noticed myself, such as 'I think Natsu-san's ability to interact with patients and build relationships is amazing' and 'When there's a sudden change or when things are busy and chaotic, Natsu-san's voice is the only one that is easy to hear.'

'I have strengths that have been recognized by others.'

Strengths that were recognized while I was studying desperately and performing my duties desperately.
Not 'I can only do things like this,' but 'I can do things like this.'
That became something that supported my way of life as a nurse thereafter.

A career is the accumulation of 'being yourself'

Career design is not about setting some glittering, distant goal.
It is about proactively choosing 'how you want to be' while cherishing your own values, skills, and lifestyle.

I don't know yet whether I will become a specialist or master the field as a generalist in the future.
However, now that I have found my core of 'what kind of nurse I want to be,' I feel I will no longer drift while feeling lost.

Of course, there are times when you cannot pursue the career you envisioned due to marriage, childbirth, or other life events.
However, the question is whether you are doing it 'because you have no choice' or 'with pride as your own work.'

I believe that depends on your own mindset.

When you are busy, it is easy to compare yourself to others and feel anxious.
But your experiences so far are your own unique treasure.
If you can find even one thing you 'like' or a 'strength' of yours, that is enough for today.

Thank you for reading until the end.
If you liked this, please give it a like, follow me, or leave a comment.

Hello again, I'm Natsu.
Thank you for finding this note.

I am a nurse in my 12th year.
I have experience in respiratory medicine, respiratory surgery, COVID wards, outpatient clinics, and more.
Currently, while on maternity leave, I am building a GPT for nurses.

▼ As a self-introduction, I have briefly summarized my career so far.

▼ You can find the guide to this note here.

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