Confused bout what to do with my life. Please, answer these q's about being a nurse!

STEADYJ · Jul 26, 2007

Nursing is without a doubt the most rewarding career for natural caretakers. The options in nursing is phenominal. It is the only career that I know you can train for and qualify for hospital, clinical, home health, long term, administrative, teaching-just to name a few. The one thing that you must remember - especially at your age - what ever field you choose you must enjoy because you do it for a long time. The pay in nursing is great and travel nursing is always a great way to see the world, get paid well and enjoy your profession. Is nursing school demanding? You bet! It will have to be a priority or you won't make it. Can you work full time? I know people that have but there is such a shortage of nurses that there are great grants and scholarships available. An Associates degree is a great place to start and you can always advance either at a traditional campus or distance/online colleges. Keep up the good work and good luck!

BerryHappy · Jul 26, 2007

You are 16 and just graduated High School??!!! Ummmm, YES! You should be a nurse! We'd be glad to have someone as intelligent as you! If you start as young as you are you can go so far, so fast! If you are serious about it, you will qualify for help (if not all) from your state for tuition, books, etc. And once you start filing your own taxes (not a dependent on your parents) you will qualify for Pell Grant money (federal). Actually you might qualify now, but better chances on your own. Anyway, my point is, don't let the cost scare you, you'll get use to the blood and guts, when odors are really bad I shut off my nose and breath through my mouth, needles aren't hard at all because you are sticking them they are not sticking you, yes you can get a job as a CNA, LPN, RN even BEFORE you graduate if your grades are good enough, you get use to standing for long hours, you can work and go to school (esp if you don't have kids), school is difficult but working with pt's is very rewarding/fullfilling/gratifying etc. Imagine being the one person in a pt's life who makes them feel human, respected, and loved even at their worst. We all need someone like that in our lives, we all need nurses! Welcome aboard!

nyapa, RN · Jul 26, 2007

Squeamish - yeah, I was, and there are still times I feel 'ill'. But it depends on the individual situation, and with most things you do adjust.

Being on your feet - you get used to it, but don't you know it when you get home! zzzzz

Needles - I hated that for a long time. (I hate having needles myself) And I still hate giving them to kids. But you learn to rationalise that you are not giving them for fun, but for a purpose. You also learn technique that makes it a little easier for the patient.

Emotional and Social - It depends how much you involve yourself in the pts care. Most ppl do find it exhausting but not all things are bad. You can see some wonderful things happen. It can affect family, but that really depends on how you plan things as well. My roster is set monthly, and so I can make plans. And the shifts I work are all over the place; nights mornings lates. Shift work can also have its good points; you can do things at certain times when everyone 'normal' is at work. Also, don't forget, its not like you won't make friends amongst your colleagues who also work wacky times!

I'm an Oz nurse so I can't give you too much info re: the other questions. I'm sure others can help there

deleern · Jul 26, 2007

If you want to see If nursing is for you, get a job as a CNA... at 16 you would qualify Certified Nursing Assistant. In some states it is NA-R Nursing Assistant Registered. it is the groung floor but if you enjoy people you will enjoy this. That what i did whe i wanted to change Careers.

if you are 16 you may qualify for post secondary education. in MN you would have all college expense paid for until you are 18 years old my son graduated from HS and College the same week with an AA degree.

he and his Fiance (anothe post Secondary Kid) will graduate from a 4 year college this year.... at 20Years old.

But I Degress. We had a Post secondary in my LPN Classes that went that Route... She graduated LPN and High school at the same time. we also graduated the RN Program together... RN at 20. wow.

deleern · Jul 26, 2007

were you, or are you squemish? blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. do you get used to it after a while? or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? would i be able to get over it? [color=#333399]there are things that bother all of us mine is a gi bleed that knocks me over:o(

do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an associates degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else? [color=#333399]lpn to rn can get you a job just about anywhere. if you go up to the top of the page, click on specialties then click on the last choice and you will see at least 50 specialties.

is it hard being on your feet all those hours? or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"? [color=#333399]when the brain is engaged then you don’t notice

is it hard to go to nursing school and work a full time job? is it possible? it's what i'd have to do. [color=#333399]its what i did i needed the health insurance so i worked nights and went to school during the day.

is it emotionally draining? does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health? [color=#333399]my job isn’t i love it good hours and stable patients for the most part. i am a care manager for a long term care facility

is it hard to give people needles and such? [color=#333399]sure at first but will be proficient before you know it

are you completely satisfied with your career? [color=#333399]absolutely!!

is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a rn degree? do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? i never see any really young nurses, so i wonder...

[color=#333399]yes we have a 20 year old that graduated the rn program this spring and she passed her boards and she is working already.

[color=#333399]

[color=#333399]check with a advisor at a community college. you my qualify for post secondary… the gal i was talking about graduated from hs and collage the same week. we were both in the rn program.

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[color=#333399]good luck

jmgrn65, RN · Jul 26, 2007

were you, or are you squemish? blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. do you get used to it after a while? or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? would i be able to get over it?

vomit is what gets to me, some things you don't get used to. but you can learn to tolerate it.

do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an associates degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else?

usually you can get on the job training, really isn't speciality training in school.

is it hard being on your feet all those hours? or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"?

sometimes it is exhausting, but easier when you are younger.

is it hard to go to nursing school and work a full time job? is it possible? it's what i'd have to do.

i worked 2 part time jobs and at time 3 parttime jobs. so yes it is done all the time.

is it emotionally draining? does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health?

some days it can be. but in general i love my job and it hasn't interfered with personal or my mental health. i think it is like any other job, if you hate it then yes it will have a huge effect. but if you love it then it is no problem.

is it hard to give people needles and such?

well at first it is, but then you get used to it.

are you completely satisfied with your career?

yes! love it! been in nursing for 15 years.

is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a rn degree? do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? i never see any really young nurses, so i wonder...

yes they are some hospitals that have programs for new grads. hospitals hire new grads all the time.

there are several different area of nursing that you can do, and you can change. i have done med-surg, critical care, cath lab and now i am in informatics.

so good luck and keep in touch and let us know what you have decided. :welcome:

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

Nurses:

Were you, or are you squemish? Blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. Do you get used to it after a while? Or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? Would I be able to get over it?

At first, it was tough....vomit, and super loose stools, and draining blood that clots out of a JP drain is tough...odors not so much, but you try to just grab breath when you HAVE to....

Do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an Associates Degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else?

Depends on positions, facilities, etc....

Is it hard being on your feet all those hours? Or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"?

As a CNA, you're on your feet more often....but when you're busy, it goes by. Sometimes you overlook something, but you're human....

Is it hard to go to nursing school AND work a full time job? Is it possible? It's what I'd have to do.

I do it everyday....I work in a hospital 3 nights a week (36/hrs full time), go to school 4-5 days a week(with clinicals), and sleep when I can.

Is it emotionally draining? Does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health? At times, it can be. When you have difficult patients, families yelling for things, patients who think they are the only ones on the floor, and your name badge should read "Hilton". When you give care as the last caregiver for a fading old man/woman, when you reposition a leg and relieve pain, when you calm a patient who is anxious, when you reassure a patient who has to go to ICU/surgery/etc, when a family tells the other shift nurse to tell you they were glad to have you after someone dies when you're off....then you know you make a difference....

Is it hard to give people needles and such? Depends on the person, but practice makes perfect! I stick people every night to get blood for glucometers, but it's not quite the same. this semester I get to start IVs...YAY!!!!

Are you completely satisfied with your career?

as a CNA, no....it's physical, and you sometimes get the short end of the stick....as an RN, I love taking care of people and the student exp has been great with only 1 patient ever really having issue with me, but NO ONE has refused my care as a student RN.

Is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a RN degree? Do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? I never see any really young nurses, so I wonder...

YES, many young nurses go into hospital settings where we can get practical exp. 2 of my former co-workers passed boards last week and are orienting as RNs.....so it can be done and quickly.....

I am at a point in my life where I am so confused, and am starting to feel lost. I don't want to waste my life, and I don't want to be unhappy, so please try to help me out, if you can. Thank you!

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Think about your reasons for going into nursing.....if you are just doing it for a paycheck, you won't last....do something you enjoy...and pre-reqs for NS will take you 1.5-2 years to get through....so get your CNA first, get a job somewhere, and try it out.....Feel free to PM myself with ?'s....as someone who's been a student in 2 different degrees for about 6 years now...i'm pretty good at school things....

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

congrats to you for graduating early. i have 2 teens and getting them to look into the future has been hard ,so i feel like i should tell you that i am proud of you for taking such big steps with your career at 16. even though i have no idea who you are...lol

thank you in advance for taking the time to look at my question :-)

i'm 16, have graduated high school, and have no idea what to do with my life. i've often thought about nursing because i'd love to spend my life helping others, and the medical field has always appealed to me. in just 2-3 years, i could be doing something rewarding with my life. plus, i grew up without much of anything, so a salary of $50,000 per year just makes it all the more appealing.

i have a lot of questions though, that i need answered. please, help!

nurses:

were you, or are you squemish? blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. do you get used to it after a while? or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? would i be able to get over it? [mouse] it is something you will get used to ...there are some body odors or sputum that make me think..oooohhhh boy. but i have learned to deal with that by saying..."well look what we have here"... i have always talked myself out of it...[/mouse]

do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an associates degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else? [evil]once you area a rn you can work most anywhere.

[/evil]

is it hard being on your feet all those hours? or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"?

[banana]most of the time i don't even pay attention...[/banana]

is it hard to go to nursing school and work a full time job? is it possible? it's what i'd have to do.

lots of people do it. i have done it ...it can be done just don't take on anymore responsibilities than you can handle.. like kids

is it emotionally draining? does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health? [mouse]it can be, but you have to learn to distance yourself from work. i'm not saying not to care just don't bring your work home.[/mouse]

is it hard to give people needles and such? i have done so many shots i can do it in my sleep

are you completely satisfied with your career? [evil]not at the present time but thats because i am a lvn and working toward being a rn. i want more options then i have now. don't get me wrong i have loved being a nurse.[/evil]

is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a rn degree? do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? i never see any really young nurses, so i wonder... [mouse]yes there are plenty of jobs for new graduates...[/mouse]

i am at a point in my life where i am so confused, and am starting to feel lost. i don't want to waste my life, and i don't want to be unhappy, so please try to help me out, if you can. thank you!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jul 26, 2007

just about everybody is squeamish about something. Most of learn to put on a game face. I worked full time while in nursing school. Do not plan on having a life during that time because there just is not time to study. However, the benefits outweighed the negatives for me. I recommend you talk to your school supervisor and/or financial aid office at the nursing school about financial aid. Could be you are eligible. You could get your ADN then work as a nurse while getting more education, or, if you still are not sure about your career you could consider a baccalaureate degree. That will give you a few years to decide become you commit. Meanwhile, if you change your mind you would have education for biology or chemistry degree or others. Good luck!

fultzymom · Jul 26, 2007

thank you in advance for taking the time to look at my question :-)
i'm 16, have graduated high school, and have no idea what to do with my life. i've often thought about nursing because i'd love to spend my life helping others, and the medical field has always appealed to me. in just 2-3 years, i could be doing something rewarding with my life. plus, i grew up without much of anything, so a salary of $50,000 per year just makes it all the more appealing.
i have a lot of questions though, that i need answered. please, help!
nurses:
were you, or are you squemish? blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. do you get used to it after a while? or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? would i be able to get over it?i can not stand vomit and spit. it is the grossest thing to me. yes, it grosses me out but i have learned to deal with it best as possible.
do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an associates degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else? an associates degree should get you in whatever speciality field that you want to work.
is it hard being on your feet all those hours? or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"? i usually notice how tired i am at the end of the day on the ride home. i feel exhausted. it is harder at first, then your body adapts. but there are still days that i am wiped out.
is it hard to go to nursing school and work a full time job? is it possible? it's what i'd have to do. i had people in my class that worked full-time and went to school. i do not know how they did, but they made it. i worked part-time and was always tired!!
is it emotionally draining? does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health? towards then end, i felt like i was mentally exhausted. and the closer to the end, the worse for me. i just felt like i would never make it through those last few weeks. but i did and it was worth it. i am speaking of school here. now working is not draining for me. my schedule works out with our life. everything is good!
is it hard to give people needles and such? for me, it was not a big deal because i needles do not bother me. i feel bad for poking them but it does not make me squemish or anything.
are you completely satisfied with your career? i love my job! yes it gets aggervating et stressful but would not change it.
is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a rn degree? do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? i never see any really young nurses, so i wonder... we hire brand new nurses all the time.
i am at a point in my life where i am so confused, and am starting to feel lost. i don't want to waste my life, and i don't want to be unhappy, so please try to help me out, if you can. thank you!

good luck with your decision!! and :welcome:

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

were you, or are you squemish? blood, guts, bodily odors and such are just nasty and scary to me. do you get used to it after a while? or if you don't like it to begin with, will you never get over it? would i be able to get over it?

some things are just nasty, but you get used to it or at least learn how to get through to do what needs to be done.

do you need more training to help in specific fields, or would an associates degree cover you working in a digestive center or somewhere else?

the majority of rns in this country have an associate's degree. experience working as an rn can open doors to positions generally not available to new grads.

is it hard being on your feet all those hours? or is it something you don't notice, because you're constantly "on the go"?

a crazy-busy day can fly by, but yes it's hard on the body.

is it hard to go to nursing school and work a full time job? is it possible? it's what i'd have to do.

yes, it's possible. it requires a lot of self-discipline and an employer willing to work around your school schedule.

is it emotionally draining? does it take a toll on your personal life and mental health?

sometimes.

is it hard to give people needles and such?

at first ... but you'll get over that quickly.

are you completely satisfied with your career?

mostly.

is it possible to get a job right out of college, with only a rn degree? do hospitals and private facilities tend to go for those with more experience, or is fresh meat welcome? i never see any really young nurses, so i wonder...

depends on your geographic area.

good luck to you! :)