For Those Considering A Career In Nursing

Do you want to be a nurse? There's more to it than a calling. Here are some things to consider. Nurses Career Support Knowledge

Updated:  

You are reading page 3 of For Those Considering A Career In Nursing

AJPV

366 Posts

WHAT???? I won't be able to just sit around, drink coffee, and flirt? My school never told me that - I'm going to sue them!!

eagle78

304 Posts

Ruby Vee said:
There are those who go into nursing so they can take care of cute little babies all day, or maybe it's sweet little old ladies. I've taken care of a number of sweet little old ladies, but then there are the emmigrants from Hades who make your entire shift a misery, and you have to take care of them as if they were likable, too. The cute little baby who "fell off the table while I was changing his diaper" for the fourth time this month may wind up in your care and no matter what you think of the mother, you can't tell her. If you don't think you'd have the backbone to contact Child Protective Services, consider growing one. Pediatrics is a popular choice because everyone loves little children. Consider the fact that some of your patients may be victims of child abuse, and the abuser is right there in the room with them asking when they can go home. Or that sweet little boy with the big blue eyes may be dying of leukemia. The neonate in your NICU may have been born addicted to heroin and is going home with his mother anyway. No body likes to see this things happen, but as a nurse, you'll see them. And worse. It'll tug on your heartstrings, or it'll rip your heart right out of your chest and shred it. But you WILL see these things or worse, and you'll need to deal with them.

I Loved this POST!!! It was great. After reading it I still want to be a nurse. The only part I feel I will really have to work on is the part that is bolded above, about the possible child abuse. Now calling child protective services will not be a problem, not putting the mother into a bed next to the baby is what I have a concern about. I know, we cannot judge, and for all I know the mother may not have caused the abuse, just let it happen (which is still bad). Babies are my weakness, I am steering clear of NICU and pediactrics because I do not want to run into those kind of situations.

Although I am hoping to get into oncololgy I know that there are steps to get there and running into abuse is always a possiblity as it can occur to people of any age. So, I loved the article, I still feel called to be a nurse and I hope that I am able to by the GRACE of GOD overcome my defensive behavior when it comes to seeing abuse. Thanks for the wonderful article. Peace... :smokin:

P51Mike1980

28 Posts

This was a great read and the last couple of paragraphs stated exactly why I left office work. Thankfully both my parents are nurses so I talked to them a LOT about it before going back to school. I see too many fellow pre-nursing students that have no idea what nursing is about and what its really like. There are too few entry level jobs and the hours are long nand hard. Towards the end of my dads career his back was in bad shape, my mom suffered a herniated disk. It's not at all a glamerous profession like TV .akes it out to be, but for some people its worth it. As a second career choice I feel its right for my; I've always been drawn to medicine from a very young agem

Love this.

LOjesjdatVE

6 Posts

Amazing!! This is definitely something I am printing out for my friend. She starts nursing school will me in Fall 12' and she has no idea what she is getting herself into.

Specializes in Hospice Care, Med/Surg.

This was a great and much appreciated article. I think that all nursing students should know from the jump that they will have to take criticism. I even had to get my heart off of my own sleeve! I really appreciate this!

raeonna

1 Post

I was questioning whether I wanted to be a nurse. Your article has opened my eyes and has really made me consider this career. I don't if I can handle some of the things you mentioned. Thank you for sharing your insight. It has been very helpful!

englishgeek

60 Posts

This makes me feel better about going into nursing.

neza93257

1 Post

I just wanted to say that your artical really stated alot and touched me deeply. I am a student at this moment prepering to become a cna and , this dedication you have is motivation for myself.:nurse:

OKNurse2be

167 Posts

Thank you for this article. I know it was written some time ago, but I say it will continue to stand true. I am a nursing student myself and I am starting my Nursing classes in the fall ( already taken Pharm, Medical Terminology ) and I will be honest and say that my desire to become a nurse is really multifaceted. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and I have the utmost respect for nurses. My Grandmother, who is 94, is a retired nurse, my aunt is a nurse, and my sister is a nurse. I have always admired their ability to "zero in" on a situation and just "handle" things. I actually appreciate that hospitals are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. As much as it will suck to have to work Christmas and other holidays, as far as I know I will get paid extra for those, so yes, money is also a motivator. I admit, I am an emotional being, so I know I will have to learn to keep my emotions at bay, because I do know that I will encounter death and a manner of other emotionally charged situations. Being a mother, I am accustomed to doing what needs doing whether it be cleaning up poo and dealing with vomit, but I will be the first to admit that vomit is my least favorite thing because inevitably I find myself heaving too. I guess my point is that although I have not walked in the shoes yet, I have a basic, general idea of what to expect. I am excited to delve in, test my mettle ( and braincells ), and prove to myself that I really can do this. It's been my "dream" since I knew what a nurse was, and I am now 29. I look forward to this journey, I am excited and scared out of my wits all at the same time. Kind of like waiting on line at a rollercoaster for the very first time. ?

gonzo1, ASN, RN

1,739 Posts

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Beautifully written. It made me laugh and cry. Nursing is hard, but I love it.

I am 13 years old, and I want to go into nursing. I know I have a long way to go until I get there, but beautifully written and informative articles like this help me stay motivated. I do think I have what it takes to be a great nurse, and I am looking forward to learning much much more about this profession. Thanks you so much for this wonderful article.