A few questions about the nurse career

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 12

Good questions but I'm only going to answer no. 5 I'm afraid.

Go for it.

For all its frustrations and disadvantages, a nursing qualification is an extremely versatile qualification to have that can lead to a very varied and satisfying career if you use your head.

I personally left school an academic midling with a handful of bog standrad school leaver qualifications (the UK in 1980 - 'O' levels if that means anything to you - not mightily impressive). Nursing gave me access to higher education where I flourished.

Bedside hospital nursing is where I started and where I've come back to end my carreer, however in between I've worked in many settings: hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, community, outreach work and at an international inter-governmental organisation. Aside from clinical nursing I've done research, teaching and management. I've had varied rôles - staff nurse, charge nurse, occupational health nurse, clinical nurse specialist. I've never been rich but I've never starved. I had a transferable qualification that enabled me to move to another country and work. This profession is far from perfect, but the advantages if you're flexible and prepared to put the work in are there. You'll get out what you put in.

Can you research ways of seeing nursing first hand before you embark on a nursing program? Voluntary work in a hospital? You say you're in Canada, do work experience placements or pre-nursing courses exist where you are?

Good luck whatever you choose.

rumeli · Nov 13

Hello,
Thank you for answering my question. Actually, what I want to do is talk to people who have really worked in this profession and get real-life advice. Thank you for sincerely answering my question.

Thank you again for answering my question.

cardizem · Nov 13

Hello:

Nursing can be a very rewarding career, however, it can be physically and mentally exhuasting. I m not sure how the healthcare system in Canada works, but healthcare is facing multiple challenges in USA. I am experiencing burnout and exhaustion, that I wished I had chosen another career. Management, patients, co-workers can be demanding and disrespectful. I am working in a very toxic environment, so this may not apply to you. Good luck

Medic2RN72, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 19

1. A typical day in the ED is crazy. It also depends on what level of trauma center you are working (1-4). But usually, we have a meeting 10 minutes before your shift starts to get your pt assignment (ratio is 1:4), get a report from the outgoing nurse, and decide what patient to see first. Afterward, a constant rotation of assessments, medication administration, preparing them to go to procedures (CT, xray, surgery etc), discharges, preparing for trauma alerts, code strokes, code stemis, and conscious sedation for reductions. I logged about 17,000 steps a day. The ICU is the opposite. You have less patient ratio in the ICU 1:2, but you have a lot of tasks and charting (more than the ED)

2. I'm a former US Army Medic, paramedic, and SOF Medic/Paramedic Instructor.

3. Skills include good communication, ability to work under stress, good work ethic, self-motivation, ability to work with others, and strong ability to ignore stupidity.

4. Pros: Whatever you make of it, Cons: Whatever you make of it

5. Do your research online and see what interests you. Nursing is vast (ED, Critical care, peds, in-patient/out-patient, endo, surgery, interventional radiology, oncology, OB, case management, utilization management, hospice, informatics, anesthetist, midwifery, nurse specialist, nurse leadership, legal nurse consultant etc). It may take multiple jobs, in multiple areas, with multiple systems before you find your match.