Do you feel that your nursing career could use a revamp? If so, you aren’t alone. As more
nurses continue to leave their current positions, more change is certain for the future.
If you feel like nursing may not be the right career choice for you, it’s possible you may not have
found your nursing niche yet. Don’t know what a niche is? That’s okay. This article will cover
everything you need to know in order to find yours. We’ll look at what a niche is, and provide
insight into how you can take your nursing career to the next level. Let’s get started.
What is a Niche?
In business, a “niche” refers to a specialized segment or a specific area of expertise within a
broader market. Niche marketing is when companies market to a specific segment of their
audience. It can allow a business to differentiate itself from the competition.
Let us take a look at an example to better understand this concept. Let’s say you’re a business
selling organic, gluten-free pet food. Your broader market is pet (dog) food. But your niche (who
you are marketing to) is health-conscious dog owners.
Why? Because dog owners will all be in the market for dog food. But not all care about the food
quality they feed their furry friends. So, in order to stand out, dog food brands cater to different
niches within the larger segment.
By focusing on ingredient quality, you can target a specific audience of pet owners. Those who
want high-quality, specialized food for their pets. Not just any bag of dog food.
Now that you understand what a niche is, let’s take a look at how you can apply this to your
nursing career.
What is a Nursing Niche?
A nursing niche refers to a specialized area of healthcare that a nurse has chosen to focus on or
specialize in. Nursing is a diverse profession with many different roles, specialties, and practice
settings. By choosing a nursing niche, you are putting yourself in the driver’s seat of your
career.
The diversity and flexibility that a nursing career provides can make it difficult to find where you
belong. If you don’t know what area of nursing you belong in most, it could take you time to
figure it out.
Before finding your niche within healthcare, you may be feeling like you are floating around in a
sea of options. But, once you identify your niche- it makes it much easier to look for what you
want in order to make the most out of your career.
Nursing can be a very difficult career. Especially when you feel like you don’t belong in your
current position. The good news is- there are many ways you can come closer to finding your
nursing niche.
First, let’s take a look at an example of a nurse who finally found her nursing niche so you can
see what it looks like once you’ve found it.
Example of a Nursing Niche:
Let’s take a look at Sarah’s career. She became a nurse because her grandmother had been a
victim of a violent crime 20 years prior that led to a 6-month-long ICU stay. During her
grandmother’s hospital stay, Sarah saw the care and attention each nurse provided, and she
knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Sarah went to nursing school and started working on a Med/Surg floor after passing the NCLEX.
She grew to enjoy the floor she was working on and stayed there for 11 years. But, something in
the back of her mind kept telling her to try something new. She was starting to feel burnt out and
wanted a change.
One shift, Sarah was floated to the ER. There, she met a nurse who inspired her next career
move. During that shift, Sarah was partnered with a forensic nurse who was called in to help
with a domestic violence-related incident.
Sarah had never heard of forensic nursing prior. She learned that forensic nurses are specially
trained to provide care to patients who have been victims of crime, abuse, or violence. They
work closely with law enforcement, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to
provide care for patients in their time of need.
From that day, Sarah worked to pivot her nursing career into the niche of forensic nursing. While
she didn’t want to leave her coworkers she had grown to love on Med/Surg, she knew her heart
was telling her to make the change. She now looks forward to every shift and now feels a new
sense of purpose in regard to her nursing license.
We consider this a nursing niche because it is a very specific and specialized role within the
larger healthcare system. It’s important to remember that the time it takes to find your nursing
niche will depend on many factors. Don’t compare yourself or your career to others.
Steps to Find Your Nursing Niche:
These steps will look slightly different for everybody, but they can give you a good starting point
if you don’t know where to start. If you want to find your nursing niche and take your nursing
career to the next level here’s how.
1. Reflect on Your Past and Assess Your Current Situation
a. What has your nursing career looked like up until now?
i. What factors have shaped the decisions you have made thus far?
b. Where do you see yourself and your career in the future?
i. Think in terms of long-term and shorter-term goals.
- Where do you see your nursing career ten years from now?
- Where do you see yourself 6 months from now?
a. Are you currently on the right path to get you to your
longer-term goals?
c. What is the gap that needs to be filled to get you from where you are now to
where you want to go?
d. Mindfulness and intention can help you assess your current situation and achieve
your goals faster:
i. Let’s take a look at some things you can try to bring more clarity: - Journal
- Meditate
- Work out
- Ride a bike
- Go for a walk
ii. Tips to help you assess your current situation: - Be honest with yourself
a. What matters most to you- matters most to YOU. Being
honest and kind to yourself during this process is the best
thing you can do. - Talk with someone outside of nursing
a. If all of your friends are in the healthcare field, you may be
limiting yourself to a narrowed viewset. Talk with friends
and family outside of healthcare to get their perspectives. - Talk with other healthcare friends
a. Talking with other healthcare professionals can open your
eyes to other options that are available.
2. Understand Your Why For Wanting This Change
a. Why do you want this change for your career?
i. Focus on the positives and the negatives
- What do you not like about your current situation that is driving
this change?
a. This will help you understand what you don’t want in your
next position. - What do you want in the future that is driving this change?
a. This will help you understand what you want more of in
your next position.
3. Trust Your Gut and Keep An Opened Mind
a. This one could be the most important step
i. Only you know what will make you happy and leave you feeling fulfilled
throughout the rest of your career.
b. Keep an open mind
i. You never know what you may enjoy doing if you don’t try new things with
an open mind.
c. Don’t compare yourself or your situation to others
i. Everyone has a different story that led them to where they are.
ii. The best thing you can do is learn from them and apply that knowledge to
your own personal situation.
4. Apply and Prepare For The Hiring Process
a. Times have changed when it comes to getting hired/finding your next position
i. Set yourself up for success
- Update your resume
- Write a cover letter
- Personalize each application
- Create a support system
- Practice and research for interviews
- Ask questions the ensure they align with your goals
How America Needs Nurses Can Help
America Needs Nurses can help you along your journey to your nursing niche. Our goal and
mission is to position every nurse in the job that best fits them.
Throughout your nursing career, it’s important that you have the support and community behind
you to help guide and support you when needed. American Needs Nurses is here to help. Sign
up today and take advantage of a growing community of nurses who are ready to lift each other
up.
