if you could do it over again....

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Hi, i am considering a career change due to a car accident. im thinking of going from a hair stylist to a nurse. my questions are.. 1. whats the best way to go about getting into the field? ive looked at several websites and schools, and it seems you can start working for a hospital and get trained as a cna or pct, for free, is that true?

2. if you could take all the knowledge you have now, what area would you go into, ie. hospital, rehab, assisted living, pcp office?

I've been a nurse for about 8 months and I would say give it some consideration but weigh your options.

I had a bachelors degree in history and was planning on teaching and coaching high school sports, but the recession hit my area pretty hard so I decided to pursue a BSN. I am very happy. But go in knowing that the job prospects aren't as 'can't miss' as the media may lead you to believe. I moved to a major city (Atlanta) and even as a minority in the field (male), I got three interviews and one job offer. I work nights on a med surg floor and I really enjoy it. I'm making better money than I was prior to being an RN, and there is certainly room for upward mobility if you're willing to work hard, get experience, and take classes to further your education.

If I were you, I'd take the negatives with a grain of salt. I'm sure I'll rustle some feathers with this statement, but if there's something that I've learned after 3 years as a CNA, 2 years in nursing school and almost a year in the hospital, nurses tend to paint things in a doom-and-gloom scenario, and shall we say...complain. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever decision you to come.

Almost a whole year ? This is like asking a newlywed what marriage is like. Of course the person married 20 years will have a different opinion. You just have to ask yourself whose opinion you prefer. A rookie or a vet. Good luck with your decision.

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Midway through nursing school, I begin to believe I was making a huge mistake. But now that I'm working, I have zero doubts I made the right decision. The physical, emotional, social, technical and professional aspects are incredibly satisfying. Nursing is a second degree for me and had I known it would have been such a good fit, I would have pushed myself to overcome any fears I had when I was younger about pursuing it. Although I'm not sure I would have appreciated it quite like I do now.

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Just so you know...many things on your list happen at the NP and MD level too!

It probably be a hell of a lot more bearable at a Md's wage

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the car accident has left me needing a career change because of how i need to use my elbows and con-torsion myself around cutting, coloring hair, doing pedicures, ect. repetitive lifting of the elbow in the air, not to mention at a fast pace, is pretty much the nail in the coffin. I am scheduled to get surgery in January, and am thinking, could be the right time for a new career! I love working with people, and i have always wanted to work in nursing homes, assisted living, ect. i was always too selfish to go through with it. (i think it would be hard to lose patients) due to a recent episode with my mother in the hospital and rehab facility, Ive realized someone needs to care for these people, why not me?

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also, keeping in mind, im 31, and being a hairstylist, i dont have a savings to get crazy with school. i like helping people, caring for them, and making people feel good, or as good as they can feel. I understand a lot of people get jaded by this industry, i like to think im more resilient than that. benefits, and pto are a huge plus that i never had before. where i currently work, im the backbone of my salon, if im not there or available to be there, its usually an issue, and ridiculously stressful!!!

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I don't recommend nursing to anyone even my own children. That being said if you attend then go and get the BSN. Many facilities require it now and there is no nursing shortage. Anything that can set you apart from another new grad will help. I don't know of any pct or CNA programs for free. Nursing is a physically demanding job so consider that if you have physical limitations. If I had any clue I would have become a physician or PA. Currently I am in a graduate program to become a FNP. I think I would have preferred the medical model.[/quote']

Why do you not recommend nursing?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Why do you not recommend nursing?

I believe nurses are undervalued and definitely not respected. If anything goes wrong from not being fast enough with pain medicine to the "ice isn't cold enough" (I have actually had the ice complaint) blame the nurse. We stand with arms wide open at the bottom of a massive hill. We all know what rolls down hill now don't we? They place ever increasing and unrealistic demands on nurses in the acute setting. I am counting down the semesters to be finished with grad school. So I encourage my children to choose another health care profession if they must go in that direction.

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I believe nurses are undervalued and definitely not respected. If anything goes wrong from not being fast enough with pain medicine to the "ice isn't cold enough" (I have actually had the ice complaint) blame the nurse. We stand with arms wide open at the bottom of a massive hill. We all know what rolls down hill now don't we? They place ever increasing and unrealistic demands on nurses in the acute setting. I am counting down the semesters to be finished with grad school. So I encourage my children to choose another health care profession if they must go in that direction.

Can't agree more, nurse get blamed for all kind of reasons, no smile when provide services, give meds late....., plus the management can fire you due to this stupid complaint...

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I really like "mom to 4"s post, you made my day, in hospital, we treated our patients like god, but still tons of complaint, and nobody dare to tell patient "pls lower your expectation", nobody date to say that;

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Continue to vent, to prevent complaint, management figure out tons of strategies, including hiring good looking nurses (one manager told everyone), the older and not so good looking nurses will get tons of complaint, don't you think this is discrimination!

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Almost a whole year ? This is like asking a newlywed what marriage is like. Of course the person married 20 years will have a different opinion. You just have to ask yourself whose opinion you prefer. A rookie or a vet. Good luck with your decision.

Solid passive-aggressive attempt at invalidating my opinion!!!!

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