Are you sure about your decision to become a Nurse?

Disablednurse · Mar 20, 2003

Nurseweasel, that is the best advice anyone could give. I wish someone had been there to tell me that when I got out of nursing school. I would have been much better off. It never leaves you once you do it, either.

GraceyB · Mar 21, 2003

I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember but never had the guts to do it. Now that I have the guts and support from my boyfriend, I am going for my CNA, then LPN and then RN. I understand that there are a lot of ups and downs, but I see way more ups than downs. I feel that to take care of someone and make that someone better is the best job benefit anyone can ask for. Everything else, you just get used to it. I remember that the job that I get will not be the last and the opportunities in healthcare are wide and high.

taronicaweaver · Mar 21, 2003

GraceyB's reply got me thinking about another concern of mine. Is it better to get your CNA, then LPN, then RN or is it better to just jump in the profession as a RN (which is what my plan is)? I am going to get my RN then complete the RN to BSN that is offered at our school thru a University and then get my Master's degree. I don't want to be in school too long (although I understand that as a Nurse you MUST constantly educate yourself or you will be left behind). But--what are you all's opinion on this matter?

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2003

I wish I the magic answer. I don't. I have my moments when I can't imagine anything but nursing. Then I have moments when I can't believe I am putting myself through all this on purpose. I just want to wish you well whatever your choice is.

AmyLiz · Mar 21, 2003

I think it is good to get some experience, be it as a CNA, a volunteer or whatever. That way you sort of know what world you're leaping into. In my ADN program it is required that you be a CNA by the time you get to your nursing classes. They offer the training, so that's the route I'm taking (this summer, as a matter of fact). I think they do this so that they can add the clinical hours for your CNA to your ADN clinical hours, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

Anyway...just my 2 cents. :)

cna on her way · Mar 21, 2003

I totally think that getting your CNA first is a must. I am a Cna now and preparing to start LPN and then ADN. Working as a CNA you learn so much about the nursing profession and you get to start at the bottom and experience each individual level.

mark_LD_RN · Mar 21, 2003

I love being a nurse it may be hard at times but it is who i am.

as far as the CNA first being the only way to go. it may give you some insight but it really is not of much help at all.

CountrifiedRN · Mar 21, 2003

Originally posted by mark_LD_RN
as far as the CNA first being the only way to go. it may give you some insight but it really is not of much help at all.

I have to disagree with you on that Mark, respectfully, of course. I found my CNA experience to be very helpful. I became proficient at taking vital signs and blood sugars and knowing the normal values. It helped me to become comfortable in taking care of patients from self care to total care. I learned a lot about many different disease processes and surgical procedures from the nurses I worked with. And I got to see first hand how nurses deal with patients, their families, and doctors and what their responsibilities are. It also helps when it comes time to look for a job to say that you have some experience outside of your clinical rotation. I know that there is a lot more to nursing than just what I have listed, but I felt that it was a good base to have when starting my program. :)

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 21, 2003

How long is the average for CNA training to become one? I am considering becoming a CNA this summer but not sure how long the average program runs? Just curious how it is where you all might live. What exactly do CNAs do?

Marilyn

SirJohnny · Mar 21, 2003

All:

Even with all the hurdles...current job, traelling every other weekend from Indiana to New York for clinicals, plus now having to take a chemistry class...I still want to do this nursing thing.

I guess they call it committment. Others might call it insanity.

I'm sure it will be an adventure.

John Coxey

([email protected])

fnimat4 · Mar 22, 2003

Stay away from that board...lol. If you feel passionate about being a nurse, you want to help people, and if you want to take care of people....then this is the profession for you. At least that 's how I look at it. I think some of those women chose nursing for the wrong reasons. I don't think I'll regret my decision 10 yrs. from now....hopefully I'll be a nurse practitioner or nurse administrator 10 yrs. from now....and loving it.

Fatima

"Future R.N."