What do you like and what do you dislike?

[alliestar]

I have been struggling with trying to get my pre-reqs to apply to nursing

school. Every time I get close, something happens in my life that makes me re-evaluate doing it and settling for the job I'm in. Basically, the fear of taking out so many loans and not seeing my family while I'm in school.

What appeals to me is the 3 day work week. I do realize they are long 12 to 13 hour shifts, but having 4 days off is pretty cool. If that is actually true. I also

think trying to help people will be more fulfilling than my job now. I recently

however received an offer from my boss to move out of what I'm doing and into a more appealing line of work. Which this takes a lot of what I hate about my job away, but I still have problems with the industry I'm in and finding it fulfilling.

I also have this fear of being out of work when I'm 50. I know if I become

an RN, I will always have work. However, I have a fear that going to school full

time will put my family in so much debt and I will be away from them a lot during

that time.

So, I need someone to be honest with me. what did you like about nursing and what did you hate about it. How often do you get pay raises and what is the average starting pay hourly for RNs? Would you do it again? Any input on your experience would be awesome.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

What I like about nursing:

1. Room for expansion of roles, units, facilities.

2. Ability to change shifts.

3. Chance to make a difference in people's lives.

4. Watching my own maturity and career evolve.

5. Flexibility to move as my husband's career has caused us to move frequently.

6. As we change jobs, we can put ourselves in positions to work until we are 70. Let's face it, many of us will.

What I dont' like about nursing:

1. The education can be tedious and expensive.

2. You don't always work the best hours/shifts/days. Hospitals are 24/7/365.

So...as you can see, for me at least the benefits outweigh the downside. Overall, I'm glad I'm a nurse. Good luck with your deicison.

[Annaiya, NP]

I'm in a similar situation to you in that I keep wondering if nursing school is the best decision for me. Just after finishing all of my pre-reqs my husband and I separated, so now I don't have a second income to help with expenses during school. And I still have over $100,000 in school loans from my last degree, (in which there are no jobs) so I worry about taking out more loans for nursing school. Nursing school is a huge commitment and I think every adult looking at going back to school has similar concerns. However, no one can tell you if you're going to like it or not, and I think to a large degree you won't know for sure until after you're out working as a nurse. I do think you can learn a lot from reading this forum, I've spent a lot of time here. But keep in mind each post is just that particular person's view.

The other thing I think is very valuable to do (and a requirement to get into most schools) is volunteering at a hospital. Even though you aren't doing anything high level (I just stocked rooms in the ER), you get to see what the environment is like, see what the nurses are doing/talking about, etc. It really does give you a feel for what things will be like and if you will like nursing. It is hard to find time for it when you are already working and taking classes, but I think you will find it worth the time investment.