Comment please!

RN403, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

Have you considered shadowing a nurse? This would give you some great insight that would be most beneficial to you. A positive attitude goes a long way when it comes to long shifts. There are many threads on this topic and similar topics that you might find of assistance. Best wishes.

BaseballNut · Oct 31, 2014

Congratulations on you decision to become a Nurse. Personally, I chose Nursing as a career as my mother was a Registered Nurse and Nursing and medicine were things we talked about a lot as a child, it was familiar. I also used to visit my mother at the hospital and became very used to the sights, sounds and smells of that environment, it became a comfortable place to be. I am also a very curious person by nature and the human body and humans behavior fascinate me, it's a study that is ever changing and a Nurse has the opportunity to never stop learning and growing in his/her knowledge base. I also love and appreciate the variety of different jobs a Registered Nurse can perform; at the bedside, administration, IT, teaching, etc. The options are limitless and if your someone like me who tends to get bored easily it's never going to be a degree you'll regret.

I started as a hospital orderly, then a CNA, then as an LPN/LVN, then finally an RN. I would recommend you do the same for a few reasons. First, starting in an entry level position will place you first hand working with people who are not at their best (sick people aren't on their best behavior) and you'll really find out if that is something you can deal with without a huge time or financial commitment. Also the blood, the stool, the urine, the phlegm- these are unpleasantries that can come with the job at some point and you will need to find out if you can overcome them, not look affected and still care for the patient without becoming one! LOL. Secondly, working in a lower level/entry level position will help you develop respect for those working in the same positions as you advance yourself to the level of RN and you become responsible for delegating tasks to those below you.

It is often said, "Nursing is a thankless job", and for the most part it is. Don't become a Nurse to get rich, for fame or glory or because someone pressures you into it. If you do you will become bitter and resentful. Chose a career in Nursing if you believe that it is important to help other humans improve their lives, you desire to help alleviate suffering or you want to make one of the worst experiences in a persons life; failing health, impending death or traumatic injury a little bit better with the love, care and compassion you have the ability to share.

As far as long 12 hour shifts, you get through them by getting proper self care; good rest on your off time, nutritious diet, regular exercise, engaging in pleasurable activities and lots of humor. You support you co-workers and they support you. Never forget they are not "my" patients, they are "our" patients and if all on a unit work together, the job gets done, everyone stays safe and you go home exhausted knowing you affected lives in a positive way, Priceless!!! Best of Luck.

RunBabyRN · Oct 31, 2014

My days vary greatly, as I am not yet in my desired field (L&D). One day, I can be doing health screenings and educating people about their results (lots of talk about improving diets and increasing exercise because of cholesterol, BP, or blood sugar). Another day, I'm in someone's home giving them an IV infusion and taking their vitals every 15 minutes because of high risk medications. When I worked at a nursing home (SNF), my days were INSANE. I spent the whole day trying to put out fires and give meds and check in on people and finish my documentation, and my 8 hour shifts often grew to 12 or longer. That job was miserable for me, and I had to leave. Even though my other jobs are not in the kind of nursing that is my *dream*, I really enjoy them, and will probably keep them even after I do find a hospital job. I've made good connections and friendships with my clients as well. When you're in someone's home 3x/week to give them IV fluids and supporting them through chemo, or weekly to administer infusions that help that person maintain a relatively normal life, you develop relationships, which is part of what I love.

I was 5 when I realized I wanted to be a "baby nurse." My brother was born, and I thought the nurses had the coolest job ever. Over the years I tinkered with other fields, but eventually I came back around to this. I am a 34 year old new grad with plans to become a certified nurse-midwife. :) I'll get there. The job market is TOUGH right now, especially in CA, so all I can do is keep applying (which I do constantly).

Mel_p · Nov 1, 2014

You should look into taking a CNA program when you are able to. This will not only give you an option to work in a hospital or doctors office while you are in school but it will also show you what "nurse life" is like. If you decided to enter a program and become a nurse you will go through so many different clinical rotations you will figure out what you like. Some people say they want to be this kind of nurse and then change there mind after doing clinical rotation on that floor. Don't worry about what kind of specialty nurse you want to be right now because you will figure that out later. I would focus on what you need to do to get into a program because it is HARD!

P.S. coffee is what gets you through a long rotation/study session.