Seriously thinking about Nursing

Suturing is indeed a practice for Nurse Practioners, PA's and MDs.

Three days a week 12-hour shifts are practically the norm for nurses these days. In fact where I work it's mandatory but for a few units like PACU, OR and med-surg, but all the other units work 12-hour shifts.

You have to sacrifice those days with your family but you have four days off a week to spend with them. Remember also you're probably going to work every other weekend as well.

Good luck!

It depends where you live. I'd call around hospitals and ask. We work 8's. The few who are willing to work 12's...it always ends up being extra hours, not so that we have an extra day off.

our hospital offers different hours for different departments. Many are 8 hour shifts, usually 7-3, 3-11, 11-7.
Critical care is 12 hours from 7-7. Most nurses start out on the night shift.

We have a different rotation of days in CC. We work 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off, 2 on, 2 off then repeat. That's a 2 week rotation that gives us 3 day weekends every other week. I started on nights and after 16 months went to days.

Some hospitals offer weekend only shifts; you work either 2 16's or 3 12's.

Procedures can include pulling central IV lines, inserting IVs, removing sutures and such. We assist with quite a few bedside procedures in ICU as well.

Good luck, and do your research to decide if you want to become a nurse. I love my job and can't think of anything I'd rather do.