I'm a recent Bio grad, not very fulfilling because of a heavy cellular focus and i wanted something more medical. I also had dreadfully boring teachers which didn't help so it kindof deterred me from becoming a doctor, however i did enjoy my labs and wouldn't mind lab work. I took a Nursing pathophysiology class and LOVED it. It was my first medical class, something I had been craving and probably why i enjoyed it a lot. The instructor was a NP and made the course very engaging and interesting. So i decided to become an NP.
I'm an introvert and I worry about going into nursing because i still have more of a scientific mindset which seems unusual versus the "touchy feely" characteristic perceived widely in nursing. I like nursing because of the patient care aspect, critical thinking and the invaluable experience you gain. However I really do believe nursing could be a very rewarding career for me, even though people often tell me I resemble more of a doctors personality.
So here is my question
1. Are their nursing jobs that combine patient care and laboratory type work? (I.E collecting and testing specimens "blood, urine, tissue". My ideal job would be working in a hospital 4 days a week ( 2 days in lab and 2 days on the floor) or splitting shifts between the floor and lab. Is this practical?
2. Are their certain specialties more scientifically focused?
Mavrick ixchel I think i got that perception because I never knew any nurses up until I started looking into nursing now i find them everywhere lol. It blew my mind when I found out doctors dont even have to be CPR trained. Yikes!!!!
Heathermaizey I liked Micro and A&P, however my dreadfully boring teachers made the other subjects rather unappealing I.E Cell and Molecular Biology. But Patho was so interesting, however I was probably just craving a real medical class. I have a great deal of compassion
GrnTea Ive never considered critical care, Thanks ill definitely start researching it. what made you recommend it? I heard "ICU" is very scientifically driven specialty
Wrench Party what types of jobs do you recommend for introverts?
notnursezelda finally someone who gets it. I love the lab/research aspect of things as well but I want to diagnose and treat patients.
I want to be a Nurse Practitioner because I do want to diagnose and treat illnesses but I also want to be a scientist. Both sides of me must be fulfilled lol. It will definitely balance out me and my introversion. Constant interaction and then solitude. I also understand that as a researcher you can practice to the full extent of your scope. So If I'm a NP doing research ill be able to diagnose as well. I also want to do surgery aswell
What areas can you perform research? I'm not really interested in pharmaceuticals, I like naturopathy, devices or therapeutic treatment.
Ive been accepted into an Accelerated MSN program. After a few yrs of practice I'm not sure if i should pursue a post-masters NP certificate or a doctorate degree for NP. If I pursue the doctorate route will I have to go back for a PH.D so I can do research. I understand the Ph.d is a research degree and the DNP is a practice doctorate but I want to do both actually "research and practice" so Im not really sure which doctorate degree to pursue.
Ive been accepted into an Accelerated MSN program. After a few yrs of practice I'm not sure if i should pursue a post-masters NP certificate or a doctorate degree for NP. If I pursue the doctorate route will I have to go back for a PH.D so I can do research. I understand the Ph.d is a research degree and the DNP is a practice doctorate but I want to do both actually "research and practice" so Im not really sure which doctorate degree to pursue.
I have no idea --- but I do know there is a board on this site for nursing research and THEY might know! Check under the list of specialties! Good luck!
DoeRN, Im just wondering. Knowing what you know now and looking back do you think Respiratory Therapist may have been a better fit for your personality? Im thinking because your usually only with the patient a limited amount of time when your a RT. Or do you think nursing is still the better fit?
ixchel I think i got that perception because I never knew any nurses up until I started looking into nursing now i find them everywhere lol. It blew my mind when I found out doctors dont even have to be CPR trained. Yikes!!!!
But you got that perception from somewhere. I just thought you might be able to recall where. I am guessing it was from watching medical television shows that take great artistic license to portray doctors at the great do-all saviors while nurses are relegated to the background as do-nothing order takers.
Mavrick Could be, I don't really watch any medical shows. I thought Nurses did CNA type (and didnt use their brain) tasks and Doctors did nursing duties. Like i mentioned earlier I never met any nurses until i started expressing an interest in it. However once i get in the field I plan to do some major PR, many are misinformed about this profession
People often say I have the mindset of a doctor rather than nurse. But thanks for the all of your inputs. I just hope I can fulfill the scientific driven side of me within nursing. I'll probably look into research aswell
How could "people" know your mindset? It's YOUR mind. I have an associate degree in nursing. I am required to tell a physician , that has a gazillion years of study.. that their orders are wrong and I will NOT carry them out. Nursing is not so much "scientific", it is common sense and experience that makes a successful nurse. "Touchy- feely" is necessary to patient care. If you're not touchy feeling it .. stay away from the bedside.
DoeRN, Im just wondering. Knowing what you know now and looking back do you think Respiratory Therapist may have been a better fit for your personality? Im thinking because your usually only with the patient a limited amount of time when your a RT. Or do you think nursing is still the better fit?
Actually I would have gone for radiation therapy or something similar. I had to take a break but now I'm going back for a completely different field now and getting out of nursing.
Mavrick, BSN, RN
1,578 Posts
I find this fascinating. A intelligent person I can directly ask, "Where do you think you got that perception?"
I would assume it's from television. If it is, could you identify the particular shows?