Hello everyone. I am a 35 year old male in Massachusetts that is about to make a huge career move because of what I can only call my "calling" to Nursing. I worked as a CNA years ago, had a car accident that screwed up my back and hopes at that time of becoming a nurse, and followed a computer career. I yearned for the benefits of caring and helping people that needed it, to feel that one feeling each day from seeing the thanks in just one person's eyes who could not even begin to explain how much I have affected their life, day, or simply in their moment of need.
I received my technical degree, top in my class, shining star, every honors award.....went on and got the dream job, promotions, pay, everything. What did I think of almost every day? How I wished that the car accident never happened so I could be lucky enough to be in nursing every day.
I am looking to get into a 4 year RN program this coming fall, and then plan on going into a Master's program for Nurse Practioner, Nurse Anesthetist, or possibly Nurse Educator. Not too sure...but....
I read these posts, and I am making a wise choice? I hear the frustrations, threatenings of quittings, utter lack of pay, respect and truly, I don't hear too much about the reward I decribed above. Yikes! Am I naive by assuming that it is just easier to voice the bitter feelings here, much more than the good ones. People! Please!!!! Tell me that there is still some reason that I should join this honorable field.
Please read this line carefully, and take my words to heart:
I have had so many people in my computer design career comment to me that what I do is amazing, and I must be so happy to be that good at it. I have replied so many times, "No. What was amazing was when I worked side by side with nurses who could save your life in almost any circumstance. This is just cool looking tricks."
I think Nursing is the probably the most ultimately evolved presence of mind that a person can be....meaning that you bring the levels of caring, education and ability to a place where you can use them to ACT and actually change someone's life. That is AMAZING to me.
Tell me there is still a reason to become a Nurse. Please.
-Gary (The long-winded son-of-a-gun from Massachusetts.)