What are you known for? This sounds like a simple question, but it is difficult to answer and highlights an important issue in research careers. Well-regarded scientists whose life work has focused on the physiology of a single disease may have made groundbreaking achievements, but the scope of their work has been narrow. In contrast, in nursing research, there is often a tension to cast a wide net and undertake research across diverse areas. While gaining broad experience in a range of projects is not a bad thing, it does beg the question: ‘What are you known for?’