nursing ?

[sereia 0]

I'm considering going back to school for a career change. People keep guiding me towards nursing and I would really like to talk about the pros and cons with a professional nurse. Are there any nurses here? And who are willing to talk with me just so I can get a good idea of what its like before I run back to school!?

[Niels Bohr 72]

Nursing is in demand. This is driven by new medical technologies.

Nursing is good. I recommend Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering. All of them are good majors. Nursing is basic memorization, easier to learn than logical, and detailed mathematics. I am an Electrical and Computer Engineer, you know.

[Aymerlu 3]

Depends what field you want to go into. Around here, nurses are worked hard and have patient overload. I've been a nurse for 15 years now and have working in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. The hospital and nursing home schedules were very difficult for me with young kids, that's when I starting doing more clinical nursing. Around here clinical nurses typically do not get paid as much as hospital nurses and also (at least around here) the higher degree of a nurse, the less chance of getting in a clinic unless it's a supervisor position. The pros of being a nurse are when you know you have helped someone. Seeing a person near death leave the hospital healthy, seeing new moms with their babies, etc. Then there's the flip side when you know your patient isn't going to go home, seeing someone deliver a baby that won't go home with the parents, etc. I'm the one that has always cried with the patients. I've been told by other nurses that has been in the field for years that when you stop having emotions, that's when you need to quit. Overall nursing has been very rewarding.

[Ontarkie 14,506]

Well if you are not sure what you want to do, dont do it. Its great pay, it can be very rewarding, depending what you want to do in the end. But it does take a special kind of person. I just couldnt toughen up. And i was a dam good nurse but things just affected me to stay at it. I worked my butt off in more ways then one. I had great ppl to work with even though they hated each other i got along great with them.

Anyways I will stop cause i can go on forever about how i feel about it. My point is if you cant picture yourself in that field take some time dont just jump into it like I did. My ideal job was marrine biology not nursing. But my ex wouldnt let me do it. Whole other story there. Anyways i let my friend talk me into taking nursing. It was her life long dream. So i followed. I will never regret it, was a dang good eye opener for me.

Hope that makes sense not trying to tell you not to do it, just be sure what you want. Nurses make life easier for ppl when we are sick I have the greatest respect for them, its just not for everyone .

[Alex+R 0]

I'm not a nurse, but I went to school with a girl who is now a traveling nurse. She gets put in a location for a few weeks, then another location for a few months, etc., and helps out where they're really short. Maybe that would appeal to you.

[Nessa 23]

every time I look for a job I cn find tons of nursing position. It's a great career choice. I'd totally go for it.

[ivona 0]

A different perspective: My MIL is an RN, she worked as on OB/ GYN nurse but also as an ER Nurse (that paid better). As an ER nurse she messed up her back transfering a patient to the table. It's so bad that she is under constant pain now and her career is dead. Any job that requiers long sitting or standing she cannot do. She can't lift anything over 20 lb cause if she does there is a very high probability the last of her back ligaments will break.

Pretty much an all over suck...

[CBR 0]

I've been a nurse for 15 years and have worked in a hospital, nursing home and now a clinic. I would suggest trying to set up time where you can follow a nurse that works in the area you are

interested in. I don't know if every facility out there will do this, but where I work they do and most teaching hospitals would.

You would need to review HIPPA info and sign a confidentiality statement (no access to patient charts, but you'd be seeing patients with the nurse if the patient(s) approve). It's a great way to see a day in the life without making the commitment first.

My personal opinion would be that if you feel you have it in you, can multi task well, have good critical thinking skills and social skills go for it. You will have the security of jobs almost always being available. You can go home at night and feel like you did something good for someone.

It's a very rewarding career albeit very stressful at times.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm a RN student now!! Spent 15 yrs in the Canadian Armed Forces, moved to the USA to be with my spouse, and had no clue on what to do!! Was originally going to go the Paramedic route, but far more jobs as a RN, and better pay. Both my sisters are RN's back in Canada. I'm doing a 2 year associates degree, and will get my Bachelors later!! The school I am going to is a Community College, but it is very respected in the region. Actually more hands on experience than the bachelor degree schools, at least what I have been told. And have spoken to the recruiters and they love NVCC nurses!! So once should do some ground work and see if the school offers a respectable program. It is a fairly difficult course, i wish memorization was the only trick!! Sure it helps, but there is a lot more to it than that!!! I have never done soo much reading in my life,lol One has to be prepared to put in a lot of time studying!! Our class started out with 220 students. And by the end of the first semester close to 50 had dropped out our failed (then kicked out,lol) And I know a fair # of students that failed tghe first 2 exams this semester. Not an easy course. Can't say I enjoy the "study" time, but have enjoyed my hospital rotations!! One is fairly busy.

Check around for schools!! Few nice things about an associates degree, is that it is only 2 years, and once hired many hospitals pay for education!! Maybe wont cover the whole cost of getting your bachelors degree, but every bit helps. But be prepared to study!!!

And like the abpve poster stated, it can be very rewarding!! Every day you have many oppurtunites to make a difference in someones life. Depending where one works, it can be very personal. And there are sooooo many different areas one can work in. My sisters have worked in various units. 1 is no win ICU, and 1 is now a diebetes coordinator. If your good, the jobs are endless. best of luck

Edited March 6, 2008 by flames9

[tsunamihart 0]

As a mediator who handles contract negotiations, I can tell you that nursing is a very respected, needed and rewarding occupation. I do many kinds of negotiations and for me my times spent with Nursing Unions are wonderful. Professional people who care more about their job, how they do it, why they do it and who they do it for...good luck!

[Vipul and Jamie 0]

I've been an RN,BSN for about 3 years now. I've worked step-down trauma, general surgical, and orthopedic. If you are thinking about going into nursing I would just encourage you to talk to other nurses, find out what area you are interested in, and put alot of thought into whether this is the right career for you. I know that sounds like common sense, but so many people go into nursing lured by money, sign-on bonus, job security, and ect. and end up very frustrated and unhappy with their choice.

Nursing can be very rewarding. I've had moments where I could see that my nursing judgement/actions helped prevent a patient from having a bad outcome. That's an awesome feeling when that happens and it helps keep me going on the bad days. Which brings me to the next point, there will be bad days (obviously). Especially in the hospital, where staffing has to be covered 24/7, being understaffed is not uncommon. In the hospital setting you have to be a good multi-tasker. You have to be able to think fast, determine who/what is the priority, delegate when appropriate, and most of all be able to critically think. You have to be professional and compassionate but be able to handle negativity from patients, patients' family members, and (sorry to say) at times other staff members. I've had times when I'm going as fast as I can and doing everything I can for my patients, and I still get a nasty comment from a family member/patient. You realize they are going through alot themselves, but it still hurts sometimes.

Bottom line is, yes, nursing has many many good qualities ( pay, job security, advancements, respect, ect.), but it is not walk in the park, it's often times very demanding and hard work. You have be prepared for that, and go into it for the right reasons.

-Jamie