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| |  career change to nursing the right choice?
Hi, I figured I would ask the guys on here about being a nurse and making a career change. I was anticipating going to a 2nd degree BSN program this fall, and hoping down the road to go anesthesia. But every time I go allnurses forums all I read is how miserable, overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated nurses are. I realize don't go by everything you read, but alot of people on here just have nothing good to say about the profession. Is it really this hard being a nurse?? My goal was to get the nursing degree and work in ICU, then after a couple of years apply to anesthesia program, if I don't get in then get nurse practitioner as back up. Currently, I work in pharm sales and earn a nice living, however, job security is very unstable in this profession, I have a biology degree and some grad courses in biological/medical sciences, and every time I think ok, this is the right choice, I read horrific stories on here about the nightmare on all levels of being a nurse. I have met RN's who became drug reps, and even they have said, there is no nursing shortage, there is just a shortage of nurses who want to continue to work in the field. Can any of you help out with some good advice??
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Jul 12, 2007, 01:39 PM
Updated
Jul 12, 2007 at 01:41 PM by CRNA2BKY
Re: career change to nursing the right choice?
I'm in the same boat as you...almost. I've been an airline pilot for some time now, and decided to go back to school with my goals of becoming a CRNA. I took my prerequisites, got accepted to an ABSN program, and intend on going into an ICU upon graduation. Then after a couple of years, applying to nurse anesthetist programs in hopes of getting accepted. I've made the huge committment by quitting my job and starting this program, and I've also heard all the horror stories. The nursing industry seems to be about 180 degrees opposite from my previous profession, as far as professionalism goes. So, I'm getting out of an industry where we all treat each other with respect, no one asks questions or gives us a hard time if we have to call in sick, and there are NO superiors or managers who talk down to the pilots. We are the true epitome of professionalism. Now I will have to go into an industry that is infected with such things as petty bickering, nurse managers talking down to the staff, nurse managers barking orders and threatening the staff....everything that I dread having to deal with. However, I look at two things. Not every place is going to be a bad place to work. I know there are hospitals out there that have good reputations for staff that get along well with each other. I also have to keep my long term goals in mind, and that is what really keeps me motivated. I did a surgical observation recently, and stayed with a nurse anesthetist all day. Boy was I impressed with her, and know this is really what I want to do. So, my recommendation is to set goals, and follow your dreams. That's what I'm doing. Good luck.
| | No. 3 |
Jul 12, 2007, 02:45 PM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice?
The reason you encounter so much of the negative on this board is because people come on here to vent their frustrations. On rare occasions, you will see a thread about the good. Many times, however, in individual posts you can find the positive, but you have to look for it. So don't be too influenced by what you read here.
A good way to find out how you feel about the work is to get a CNA license and do some work as a CNA. You will get exposure to the nursing field and then will be in a better position to decide upon nursing school. Even then, after graduating, many people don't find out that they are not cut out for nursing until they have been on a job(s) for some time. I tell people that while I have found out that nursing isn't a bed of roses, my satisfaction comes from interaction with my patients. Good luck and I hope you make the right decisions for you.
| | No. 4 |
Jul 16, 2007, 03:03 PM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice?
Nursing is a demanding field; how you deal with those demands will determine whether or not you will experience burnout.
And there is a shortage of nurses, and it's due to more than nurses leaving the field. But don't take my word for it, check out the stats at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You seem to have good qualifications for nursing---I say go for it!  | | No. 5 |
Jul 17, 2007, 03:56 PM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice? Originally Posted by nurse2bKY  I'm in the same boat as you...almost. I've been an airline pilot for some time now, and decided to go back to school with my goals of becoming a CRNA. I took my prerequisites, got accepted to an ABSN program, and intend on going into an ICU upon graduation. Then after a couple of years, applying to nurse anesthetist programs in hopes of getting accepted. I've made the huge committment by quitting my job and starting this program, and I've also heard all the horror stories. The nursing industry seems to be about 180 degrees opposite from my previous profession, as far as professionalism goes. So, I'm getting out of an industry where we all treat each other with respect, no one asks questions or gives us a hard time if we have to call in sick, and there are NO superiors or managers who talk down to the pilots. We are the true epitome of professionalism. Now I will have to go into an industry that is infected with such things as petty bickering, nurse managers talking down to the staff, nurse managers barking orders and threatening the staff....everything that I dread having to deal with. However, I look at two things. Not every place is going to be a bad place to work. I know there are hospitals out there that have good reputations for staff that get along well with each other. I also have to keep my long term goals in mind, and that is what really keeps me motivated. I did a surgical observation recently, and stayed with a nurse anesthetist all day. Boy was I impressed with her, and know this is really what I want to do. So, my recommendation is to set goals, and follow your dreams. That's what I'm doing. Good luck.
ROFLMAO. I thought I was the only ex-pilot going down this road! I wouldn't worry about all the bad stories too much. It is what you make of it. Besides, they don't furlough in the ICU too often.
| | No. 6 |
Jul 17, 2007, 09:49 PM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice? Originally Posted by rigmedic ROFLMAO. I thought I was the only ex-pilot going down this road! I wouldn't worry about all the bad stories too much. It is what you make of it. Besides, they don't furlough in the ICU too often.
OMG....that is awesome. I was lucky...I only got furloughed once after 911. So, what's your story? Are you in nursing school now? Do you want to be a CRNA also? Just curious...hope I'm not being too nosey.
| | No. 7 |
Jul 18, 2007, 06:08 AM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice?
I flew in the military, then corporate for about 7 years. After seeing the total lack of stability in aviation and the obvious business plan the airlines were moving toward (aka 20-Somethings in Embraers), I bailed. I would love to do CRNA, but am taking it one thing at a time. I have been a paramedic for several years and am comfortable with patient care and the paramedic skills. I am much less comfortable with the hospital environment and want to take my time and learn things at a reasonable pace.
| | No. 8 |
Jul 18, 2007, 06:33 AM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice? Originally Posted by rigmedic ROFLMAO. I thought I was the only ex-pilot going down this road! I wouldn't worry about all the bad stories too much. It is what you make of it. Besides, they don't furlough in the ICU too often.
I hate it when people who are not nurses say "It's not that bad, it's what you make of it." I know nothing about being a pilot, so, should I say being furloughed is not that bad- it's what you make of it.  ? Yes, nursing really is that hard. | | No. 9 |
Jul 18, 2007, 06:45 AM
Re: career change to nursing the right choice? Originally Posted by Hellllllo Nurse I hate it when people who are not nurses say "It's not that bad, it's what you make of it." I know nothing about being a pilot, so, should I say being furloughed is not that bad- it's what you make of it. ? Yes, nursing really is that hard.
I never said nursing wasn't hard, just that it (like any other job) is what you make of it. I have been a medic for a long time and my RN friends think we are grossly overworked and underpaid for what we do. If you work a code in the hospital, you do it as part of a team. If you work a code on the street, it is all on you. You do IV, the tube, interpret the rhythms, push the meds, etc. There are many tough jobs in the world. Nursing is only one of many tough jobs.
The thing we were discussing as pilots is the much greater job security in nursing compared to aviation.
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