https://www.infirmiere-canadienne.com/blogs/ic-contenu/2025/06/16/trop-a-laise-dans-votre-role
What I’ve learned in my journey through the evolving landscape of nursing
By Kayla Barriage
June 16, 2025
istockphoto.com/Hiraman
Your nursing career can be as dynamic and flexible as you want it to be. By embracing change, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities that can not only enhance your skills but also reignite your passion for the profession.
“Are you bored yet?” It’s a question my family frequently asks during our gatherings. They know me well — I thrive on challenges and change. When I start to feel too comfortable in a workplace, that’s my cue to seek something new. Embracing discomfort has been a guiding principle in my nursing career, but it wasn’t always this way.
Courtesy of Kayla Barriage
“Job-hopping early in my career has been instrumental in shaping me into a well-rounded and versatile nurse,” Kayla Barriage says.
Early days of my career
I began my nursing journey during the COVID-19 pandemic with a clear goal of becoming a mental health nurse. My clinical placements on medical-surgical floors during nursing school had been uninspiring, and I didn’t find joy in them. After graduation, I remember feeling relieved that all the studying, exams and paper writing were finally over. I even thought, “I’m never going back to school.”
Well, that sentiment only lasted a few weeks. I soon found myself asking, “Now what?” The sense of relief also brought feelings of emptiness and a desire to learn more about my new career.
I inquired about and enrolled in continuing education courses, which sparked a new confidence in me. With a growing interest in emergency medicine, I applied for several emergency department positions but faced rejections. To build a solid foundation in nursing, I accepted an opportunity to work on a general medicine and nephrology unit.
Like many new graduates, I found myself in the position of having to call my first ever rapid response for a deteriorating patient. An intensive care nurse responded. I remember observing the nurse’s autonomy and skill set, which seemed so effortless. This experience inspired me to pursue critical care nursing. I knew that achieving that level of expertise to work alongside the rapid response team would require more experience and time.
I completed several continuing education courses online, which further honed my clinical skills. Once I felt fulfilled and confident in my workplace, I sought a new challenge and moved to a level one trauma centre specializing in neuro-trauma nursing. After learning everything I could about it, I embraced the next challenge of completing the Michener intensive care unit (ICU) program and began working in the cardiovascular ICU at a new hospital.
Admittedly, I had no prior experience or interest in cardiology or intensive care as I had no prior clinical experience in these specialty areas. However, this challenge allowed me to confront an area of nursing that had once been a weak point in my practice.
I have now been in the ICU for two years. This spring I became a CNA-certified critical care nurse. All of my clinical and academic efforts have paid off, leading to the opportunity to work on the critical care response team. With newly developed goals in mind, I am passionately working toward achieving them.
What I learned
Job-hopping early in my career has been instrumental in shaping me into a well-rounded and versatile nurse. Although staying in one place can offer benefits, such as gaining seniority and overcoming the imposter syndrome that often comes with being a new employee, my diverse experiences have allowed me to find fulfillment and joy in my work every day.
More importantly, this journey has been crucial in avoiding moral distress — a common concern in our profession. Being the “new person” is rarely enjoyable; it can be daunting and uncomfortable, but it has always been worth it for me. I love asking questions, reflecting on my practice and investigating the “why.”
Becoming curious has made me a stronger nurse for my patients, which they deserve. In my first three years as a registered nurse, I worked at three different hospitals and across four different nursing specialties. Here’s what I learned, and I hope you find it helpful:
- Believe in your ability to adapt: Embracing new challenges, even when they feel intimidating, is key to growth in nursing.
- Don’t be afraid to seek out continuing education: Investing in your own learning can reignite your passion and open new doors in your career.
- Trust the process of change: Although change can be uncomfortable, it often leads to new opportunities that enhance both personal and professional development.
- Be easy on yourself: Recognize that with every job change comes a learning curve.
Step into the unknown
My journey of embracing change in nursing is one that any nurse can undertake, regardless of their current specialty or experience level. If you find yourself feeling too comfortable in your role or craving new challenges, consider that every change brings with it an opportunity for growth.
Stepping into the unknown — whether it’s pursuing continuing education, exploring a new specialty, or accepting a leadership role — can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There is no harm in applying for jobs and showcasing your skills. Never doubt yourself.
For those contemplating similar changes, my experience has taught me that it’s okay to feel uncertain or intimidated. Growth often happens when we’re outside our comfort zones. Be gentle with yourself during times of transition and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you’re feeling stagnant or unsure of your next step, take time to reflect on which aspects of nursing excite you and where you can challenge yourself next. Whether you’re interested in moving into critical care, exploring leadership roles, or simply expanding your knowledge, the possibilities within nursing are endless.
Ultimately, your nursing career can be as dynamic and flexible as you want it to be. By embracing change, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities that can not only enhance your skills but also reignite your passion for the profession.
Every change in my nursing career has been a stepping stone toward growth. I hope that sharing my journey will encourage others to step into new opportunities, find fulfillment, and continue evolving as nurses.
Kayla Barriage, RN, BScN, CNCC(C), works in the cardiovascular intensive care unit in St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto.
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