[4mrEMT73]

...former EMT here. Then I got out and pushed pencils at a desk for a few years, and now wants to get back in the medical swing via the nursing route. Loved being on the streets, but as an EMT, the money wasn't the best. Thought I'd want to pursue emergency medicine further by becomming a paramedic, but my thoughts kept diverting me to something else.
Mostly, the skilled nurses I'd hand off my patients to at the ER. I was very impressed with them. Sure, there was the professional tension between us at times, but mostly, there was respect for each other's skills.
Anyway, I'm slotted to take some pre req classes this fall. Planning to start applying for nursing schools once I get through the mid terms. If my grades are past the standards, then I should go ahead and take the plunge for nursing school.
Better sign off for now, John, my Jack Russell, is bugging me to play fetch with him.
C ya!

[Lynn4875]

Hi 4mrEMT, welcome and good luck! It takes a lot of perseverance but you can do it!

[NrsSandyRN]

New here too! Old nurse though. Good luck in nursing school. It's tough but you'll do fine with determination. I work in ER too so I know what you mean with respect for the skills of each other and the tension. But I love our EMT and Paramedics. They for the most park are all fantastic

[4mrEMT73]

Thanks!
Since I noticed that you're already a nurse, I have a couple questions for you. This is great too cuz by the profile you've posted, you are a brand new nurse at that.
Question 1--- So far, do you love being a nurse?
And 2nd, Was the transition from student to real world team player very difficult for you?
The fact that you are a new graduate is interesting. Now that you are a nurse, was 4 years of back breaking, late night text book cramming, 8 hour clinicals worth it to you?
Sorry for adding another question there, but I guess what I'm asking is... Is nursing all that you've dreamed it to be?
Thanx for the welcome.

[Tweety]

Welcome. Nice to meet you!

[4mrEMT73]

Hello NrsSandy. Thanks for the welcome. Still not 'forum savvy' but with time, I soon will be. For the most part, actually 98% of the time, I had good experiences with ER nurses. Unbelievable pros! Many would actually help me out with patient updates (but careful not to divulge too much as patient confidentiality was highly guarded as it should be) and such which would be great as we were often in the dark after we get them to the ER.
As for the respect of each other's skills and 'turf', if you will, here's a quick story for you.
On my way back home one evening from a night class I was taking in college, I was coming to a stop at a 4-way. Out of nowhere, a car t-bones another car coming thru the intersection! I jump out and grab my 'jump' bag out of my trunk and dash towards the cars. I check up on one car and see the driver is alive but banged up pretty good. I went on to the other car and saw that a 'nurse', still in her scrubs, had beat me to it. I was relieved to see another health care pro on the scene, but I was hoping she wasn't one those that 'knew' better. I got to her and smiled wondering what she would say. What she did say floored me. After introducing myself, she looked down at the EMS crest on my jump bag and realized what I was, she said, "This is pretty rough. Glad to see you're here. Tell me how I can help."
She gave me the 'greenlight' to call all the shots!
After we got all the patients loaded onto ambulances and witness statements made, I came over to her and shook her hand and thanked her for being so understanding. She returned the gesture.
You nurses are a great bunch. Hope to share the prestige in being one myself soon.
Bye for now!

[Lynn4875]

I do love being a nurse. I just passed the NCLEX this past week, but was working as a GN. It's really tough at times because I'm used to textbook nursing, and I notice how a lot of the time, things are done "differently" on the floor. The first few weeks, I felt as if I'd never get it, but I'm sort of getting the hang of it. I love the patients, and the nurses are nice and hard-working. I'm still on orientation, so I haven't experienced a true patient load by myself yet. Some days are tough, and I'm running around all day, but I always take it as a learning experience. I think the 4 years of hard working and cramming (which I could never help but do) was well worth it. Nursing is rewarding in so many ways, especially that feeling you get when you've helped someone or just being there for them and listening to their problems listening. I know a lot of the time I don't have enough time to sit there and chat for a long time, but I do still try to do that. I'm so used to when I had clinicals always being able to talk to my patients for extended periods of time, it was great. I enjoyed most of my clinicals because for the most part (except for one rotation) the nurses were really understanding and always willing to teach the student nurses, and let us develop our skills. I loved most of my clinical instructors, they were all so very helpful, and have helped mold me into what I am today. Don't get me wrong, I hated all the hours of late night cramming, and working on projects and papers, etc but I don't regret it for one minute!