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By Cynthia M. Piccolo
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Where would you be happiest working? In a hospital? If so, what kind – small, large, private, public, rehab, acute-care, pediatric? Would you prefer a clinic? Would you prefer a remote outpost? How about home care? Or academia? What about with the government? Or the military? How about medical sales? Or ?

The place where we work can make a tremendous difference to our quality of life. It can effect our productivity and efficiency. This, in turn can influence our opportunities for career advancement. Most importantly, our work environment can seriously impact our sense of satisfaction in our work. Assessing which work environment best suits you will allow you to place your motivations, values, and skills in an appropriate context.

Read the work-environment information in the links below to get an overview of different areas:

Do first-round eliminations to save yourself time:

  • Is there a work environment in which you could not work at this time (e.g., in outpost nursing because you cannot relocate)?
  • Is there a work environment that you know is not in keeping with your personality (e.g., you like the independence of home health, but you would miss the camaraderie of hospital/clinical nursing)?
  • Is there a work environment that is not in keeping with your interests (e.g., you want to work with children, so a medical sales position is not for you)?

What do you want and where?

  • What appeals to you now about the work environments that remain (e.g., hours, small/large facility, challenges, hands-on care, amount of autonomy, working with adults/seniors/children/mix, ability to participate in research, ability to serve country)?
  • Consider what you want now (e.g., close to home, day-shift only, stability, benefits, adventure, and ability to teach formally)?
  • Which work environments match what you want most now?
  • Do you need to make changes or improvements (e.g., further education and relocation) to obtain a job in the work environment you want? If so, what do you need to do, can you realistically do it now, and how long will it take?

This article is one of a series about self assessment exercises. See also: getting started, personality testing, self assessment tips, early life/ideal childhood job, goals, motivations, previous work experiences, skills, values, and work at home.
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