[wackyj2000]

Hello everyone, I have been on this site a month or so now, and have found it to answer many of my questions and be quite helpful. SO thankyou EVERYONE.
I was a student for my freshman year at University of Rhode Island but decdided i wanted to come back home to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Nursing has been quite interesting to me. I LOVE helping people and do want to be in the medical field, but im not sure which field? How did any of you find out if nursing was right for you? I do want to do a CNA class but can't at the moment because I am taking A+P 2 summer class. Are there other things you can do besides become a CNA? Can you get certified to just draw blood from people? I'm really confused. Radiology has interested me also but i heard about radiology nursing. I don't know if there is a difference. IF anyone can give me suggestions, or any experiences that they had, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jess.

[carebear_21]

Hi,

I just wanted to say that you can get certified to take blood from people, what you would want to look into is a phlebotomy certification course at a community college. It should last anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on what the requirements are for that particular school. I am starting my pre-reqs for nursing in Augest and I will also be taking 2 classes through the year for my phlebotomy certification. If you want to do CNA training keep looking into the local nursing homes near you, many of them offer training multiple times during the year because they have a hard time keeping CNA's once their contract of employment is up. Well atleast that's the way it is around this area. I went to 4 different nursing homes before I got in to a training program but trust me they are out there. I'm not really sure about radiology, I do know that most places require you to have atleast a 2 year degree around this area, I'm not sure if they offer certificates for radiology or not.

I have always wanted to be a nurse, it's been a passion of mine ever since I was little. I love helping people and want to make people as comfortable as possible when they are going thru traumatic times. I have had many experiences with nurses at hospitals that have made me realize it truely is what I want to do with my life. I plan on going to a CC and getting my ADN and then doing a RN-BSN online program and eventually I want to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and get my PhD in nursing. So as you can see I have many years of school ahead of me. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.

~Carebear~

[mtngrl]

You don't really KNOW if nursing is for you until you actually become a nurse. I'm saying no amount of observing nurses, being a CNA, nursing school, etc. really shows you what it's like to be a nurse. You just have to be one. I think that's pretty much how it is with everything...you never know until you try something for yourself whether you will like it. If you are interested in nursing, go for it. But don't become a CNA just to see what n ursing is like because it doesn't show you. If you want to be a nurse, just go to nursing school for LPN or RN.

[ex1140]

I agree with the previous poster...to a certain degree. Because no one can really describe what it's like to be a nurse. Even the most dedicated nurses have days that they wish they were not a nurse. And I say often because I believe it to be true nursing is a calling on a persons life...therefore, it is not for everyone.

[jasonhbaum]

I am in a simlar boat as you. One way to at least get a very small taste of what nursing can be like is to do some job shadowing. I live in Pittsburgh so I have been able to spend a few days paired with a nurse and following them for the day. It helps to see if you are going to be able to handle some of the things you will see.

[Altra]

Originally Posted by jasonhbaum

I am in a simlar boat as you. One way to at least get a very small taste of what nursing can be like is to do some job shadowing. I live in Pittsburgh so I have been able to spend a few days paired with a nurse and following them for the day. It helps to see if you are going to be able to handle some of the things you will see.

Good for you, for seeking out shadowing experiences.

And hello to someone from my neck of the woods - good luck to you!

[Ayonti]

I also agree that you have to become a nurse to know if it is right for you...unfortunately. Nursing school did not prepare me for what it is like in the real world. I ended up quitting after only 3 months. Before spending a lot of time and money, make sure this is what you want to do. Someone mentioned shadowing, I think that is the closest you will get to the real thing. Good Luck!