[LJascoe]

Hi, Im new to this board, I came upon it while looking online for some info on becoming a nurse. I am a recent high school graduate, and I am looking to furthur my education. Nursing sounds like an interesting career to me and I came here to see if anyone could possibly enlighten me on the subject. The pros and cons of nursing. Any help would be greatly appriciated, Thanx- Laura

[ChristineG]

search the boards and you'll find a TON of good and bad things about being a nurse. You may want to go on the "Would you recommend nursing as a career" topic.

[ChristineG]

duh - you are on that topic. Sorry! Search through the threads...

[cheerfuldoer]

Hi Laura

Welcome aboard allnurses...a great place to learn and grow with other nursing students, nurses, and other occupations as well!

I've been a nurse for 17 years now, and if I had it to do over KNOWING what I know about 'today's nursing choices', and assuming I would not have gone on to medical school......I would have educated myself with one degree and certification after another. My plans were to specialize in psych nursing once I graduated, but was told by my nursing professors to get one year of med/surg under my belt first before going into a specialty of nursing. I listened to them, and while I do NOT regret my med/surg background, too many hospital recruiters and nurse managers refuse experienced nurses the opportunity to transition into another area different from the ones they have been working in before.

My advice would be for you to pursue whatever your heart desires in life because you may not get another chance to do so. Be passionate about what you do because long after the BS surfaces in any job we undertake, the only thing that keeps employees going is the fact they are passionate about what they do........thus the reason a lot of nurses today are STILL working as nurses in the crazy world of nursing as it exist today.

If it is nursing you want, then go for it. Go all the way educationally, and if I were you I certainly wouldn't stop at the basic level of nursing which is "diploma, associate, or bachelors". All three of those are a great start, but no place to linger for too long. Get a Masters degree in nursing and add to that as much certification as possible. That's what I would do.........this just gives you some food for thought.

[patrick T]

I think the reason i got into health care as a paratrooper/flight medic in the army is that i wanted to be the medic... i wanted to help people who were hurt. I continued to do this as a RN and continue to advance my care of people. being real though, the low down on nursing is as follows: Hard work, patients cussing at you for you trying to do your job. but also it has its good sides to it also. you make a difference in someones life. you get to help people out. the pay isnt that bad either. people need your help.

[LJascoe]

well now im considering voctional school....im not sure if it would be better to go to college or voctional school for nursing. i know college will give me a well rounded education and vocatonal school will get me through nursing faster and ill be able to start working quicker... and its cheaper. help!

[patrick T]

If your talking about a vocational school your talking about going to LPN school to be a LPN. That is all good and fine but to be honest you could get your associates degree in Nursing at a community college or some university and become a RN.... a typical LPN program is anywhere from 1 yr to 2 yrs in length.. They get a raw deal in my opinion, they do almost the same work that us RNs do and they get paid much less.. Im not hear to debate what LPNs do or dont do but thats the facts... You are better off getting into a 2 yr RN program and then work and then slowly work on getting your BSN.. Hospitals dont really care if you have your 2 or 4 yr RN degree starting out.. you can bank on that also.. the pay of a RN is far better than a LPN also .. Good luck in your career.. Email me at Patrick1rn@aol.com if you have any specific questions.. Nursing is a good field to get into

[LJascoe]

ok....well i thought you had to start out as an lpn and then the hopsital would pay for me to get my rn...but if im going to be in school the same amnt of time as i would to get my rn...then your right i might as well go straight for my rn...i would like to talk to you more about this so maybe you could im me at toxicjoy. thanx

[LJascoe]

haha i just found this old thread i wrote so many years ago..lol (and 4 years is a long time) when i was just starting to think about what i wanted to be when i grew up.. haha its great.. now i am about to graduate and look at that.. im gonna be an lpn after all.. i like the stepping stone route.. works better for me.. slow and steady wins the race