Desire for knowledge versus genuine interest in a subject
May 15, 2012 12:58 PM Subscribe
How do I differentiate between a love of learning and genuine interest in a specific subject?
I'm currently taking a two-month-long nursing refresher course with the goal of determining whether I will return to the profession. However, it dawned on me while sitting in class today that I really can't tell the difference between genuine interest in a subject (in my case, nursing) and a more general desire for knowledge, which is probably what led me to finish my nursing degree despite not having any passion for the clinical/hands-on aspect of the work. I fear this inability is going to lead me down the wrong path for the wrong reasons yet again, and I want to do everything in my power to prevent that.
So, MeFites, how do I tell the difference? Is there a way to make my information-hungry brain more selective?
I'm currently taking a two-month-long nursing refresher course with the goal of determining whether I will return to the profession. However, it dawned on me while sitting in class today that I really can't tell the difference between genuine interest in a subject (in my case, nursing) and a more general desire for knowledge, which is probably what led me to finish my nursing degree despite not having any passion for the clinical/hands-on aspect of the work. I fear this inability is going to lead me down the wrong path for the wrong reasons yet again, and I want to do everything in my power to prevent that.
So, MeFites, how do I tell the difference? Is there a way to make my information-hungry brain more selective?
Best answer: I like learning almost anything, and am a voracious reader, but when it comes to subjects I really want to spend a lot my own time on, I'm able to detect distinct patterns. Look at the books on your shelves, the websites in your bookmarks. Chances are they aren't evenly divided amongst all subjects and disciplines. What have you really researched and sought mastery in even outside of a school context? Without the support of a syllabus and a professor?
As regards nursing, it sounds like maybe you like the biomedical education but are not as interested in the applied science. I don't know much about the medical world but I feel sure there is a way to delve deeply into the former without having to do the latter. Analysis and reporting? Public health? Medical engineering? This reminds me of the way I feel about my profession - I get more interested in theory and historiography than in current practice. In my field that means I trend more toward the scholarly abd professional-service end and less toward the practical end, but there are jobs for both kinds of person.
posted by Miko at 1:09 PM on May 15, 2012
As regards nursing, it sounds like maybe you like the biomedical education but are not as interested in the applied science. I don't know much about the medical world but I feel sure there is a way to delve deeply into the former without having to do the latter. Analysis and reporting? Public health? Medical engineering? This reminds me of the way I feel about my profession - I get more interested in theory and historiography than in current practice. In my field that means I trend more toward the scholarly abd professional-service end and less toward the practical end, but there are jobs for both kinds of person.
posted by Miko at 1:09 PM on May 15, 2012
Best answer: However, it dawned on me while sitting in class today that I really can't tell the difference between genuine interest in a subject (in my case, nursing) and a more general desire for knowledge, which is probably what led me to finish my nursing degree despite not having any passion for the clinical/hands-on aspect of the work. I fear this inability is going to lead me down the wrong path for the wrong reasons yet again, and I want to do everything in my power to prevent that.
If what you really like is the process of learning, then you should find a career where you get to continue learning throughout, rather than just doing a bunch of learning at the beginning and then resting on your laurels.
And if you're happy learning about any subject, then it may not matter which field that career is in.
So the question is, is there a career path for nurses that lets you continuously learn and practice new skills?
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
If what you really like is the process of learning, then you should find a career where you get to continue learning throughout, rather than just doing a bunch of learning at the beginning and then resting on your laurels.
And if you're happy learning about any subject, then it may not matter which field that career is in.
So the question is, is there a career path for nurses that lets you continuously learn and practice new skills?
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
I am the same - I love learning and that doesn't always translate to enjoying the practical aspects of the job. You need work experience too. Volunteer in a hospital and shadow professionals in your chosen area. You say you are returning to nursing so presumably you know what's involved but get current work experience anyway.
The bonus is, if you decide it is for you you have made connections and are probably a bit more employable.
posted by Laura_J at 1:39 PM on May 15, 2012
The bonus is, if you decide it is for you you have made connections and are probably a bit more employable.
posted by Laura_J at 1:39 PM on May 15, 2012
is there a career path for nurses that lets you continuously learn and practice new skills?
There is, and luckily -- it's all of nursing! Nurses are required to complete a minimum amount of continuing education each year, and a great nurse will also complete further education to become certified in their area of specialty. A nurse who gets bored with one area of practice can move to another area -- med-surg to ortho to mental health, hospital to clinic to public health, etc. Direct patient care obviously isn't solely learning, but a conscientious nurse will keep learning throughout his or her career. I, too, love learning for its own sake, and I've considered someday becoming a nurse educator. This allows you to keep even more abreast of current research into clinical technique and professional education techniques, so you can then teach other nurses about new stuff that's cool and useful.
posted by vytae at 7:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
There is, and luckily -- it's all of nursing! Nurses are required to complete a minimum amount of continuing education each year, and a great nurse will also complete further education to become certified in their area of specialty. A nurse who gets bored with one area of practice can move to another area -- med-surg to ortho to mental health, hospital to clinic to public health, etc. Direct patient care obviously isn't solely learning, but a conscientious nurse will keep learning throughout his or her career. I, too, love learning for its own sake, and I've considered someday becoming a nurse educator. This allows you to keep even more abreast of current research into clinical technique and professional education techniques, so you can then teach other nurses about new stuff that's cool and useful.
posted by vytae at 7:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
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There are a few things that can sometimes help me differentiate this:
--Volunteering with the population and at a likely workplace. So when I thought that I wanted to work in health care, I volunteered at a physical therapy clinic. I found out that ...I still LOVED the info, machines, but patients...meh (I know, I know).ButI'm glad that I found it out early.
--Small no-risk jobs. So rather than accept full-time teaching positions at universities, I taught my own course at a university and was surprised to find that I enjoyed it....then I applied to fulltime positions the following year or years.
So if I were in your shoes, can you: volunteer in a clinic? Get a part-time job working with patients?
It still is not a guarantee. So if you end up in something that you don't like, you can find similar people, do info interviews, and do a sideways move into another job or career.
posted by Wolfster at 1:06 PM on May 15, 2012 [1 favorite]