Any Nurses in Southern Cali?

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Does anyone on this board work in Orange County, California? I'm already 22, but I just started my pre-reqs in school. I hope to be able to transfer next Spring and obtain my BSN. The problem is I THINK I want to be a nurse (hopefully L&D or Neonatal), but I'm not 100% positive. My heart is willing...but my body is weak. People in pain tend to make me feel like I'm going to pass out. I hate it but it's like my bodies natural reaction. What if I get to nursing school and realize I can't deal?

I would LOVE to talk to a nurse at one of the many local hospitals and really get a feel for what I'm getting into. I even contacted one hospital to see if I could shadow a nurse for a day and they said I already have to be an RN! :crying2: I honestly wish I could just watch a nurse even for an hour and just see how my body reacts. I just know I would get a feeling "Yes, I could do this!" or "No way in hell...*RUN!*"

I am truly freaking out about this. I don't want to waste time or spend my Dad's money on something I'll end up failing at. Someone needs to just slap some sense into me. I am stressing out. Don't wanna make the wrong decision. :rolleyes:

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I even contacted one hospital to see if I could shadow a nurse for a day and they said I already have to be an RN!

That's a great start! Now try another hospital. And another. Some are more strict about this type of policy than others. In addition to that, ask to speak to the volunteer department. Make sure to tell them your interest. And ask at more than one place as well. Some are better at matching volunteers with their interests than others. Another possibility is to take a nursing assistant course. Nursing homes, community colleges, vocational centers might offer such courses. That should give you some hands-on clinical exposure to real live patients and get you in proximity to working nurses.

Good luck finding out more about your choices!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Visit the California Nurses forum to interact with other nurses in the Orange County area. Click on the link below to get there.

http://www.Allnurses.com/forums/f137/

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Thank you so much to both of you. I am using both of your advice. I am sending out a letter to six different hospitals and see if they contact me with any options. Thanks again!

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Great! Also, a phone call can at times be much more effective than a letter. Good luck!

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