I'm a 27 yo with a hubby and two small kids. I have a B.S. in Psychology and I work in Finance (Yuck). I have always been attracted to the field of nursing because I have a huge amount of compassion and a love for medicine, however, I just read the one thread of over 16 pages about how a large number of nurses are trying to get out of bedside care. This disturbs me, I suppose because I have always had a romanticized view of nursing, but now I don't know if it is for me. I have applied to several LPN and RN programs and am waiting to hear back from the schools.
So, my question is, are there other areas in a hospital that I can have patient contact (especially young patients), that won't leave me running for the hills?? :) I've thought of Rad Tech, Resp Therapy, Child Life and Medical Social Worker. Have any of you RNs/ LPNs considered these fields? I really want to be able to take the time to get to know my patients instead of running around like a chicken with her head cut off as a bedside nurse. What other areas of nursing would allow me to do this?
You sound a lot like me. I have a B.A. in philosophy and then worked for years as a trade journalist, which I hated. I went back to school for an R.N. at community college. So far I really enjoy being a nurse on the hematology unit of a cancer hospital. While there are definitely days that I'm running around like a chicken, our patient load is very manageable and our hospital in non-profit with a great reputation. I end up having great relationships with the patients because the are here for weeks and sometimes months at a time. I also love to work with dying patients and I get my fair share of that, too.
firstyearstudent
853 Posts
You sound a lot like me. I have a B.A. in philosophy and then worked for years as a trade journalist, which I hated. I went back to school for an R.N. at community college. So far I really enjoy being a nurse on the hematology unit of a cancer hospital. While there are definitely days that I'm running around like a chicken, our patient load is very manageable and our hospital in non-profit with a great reputation. I end up having great relationships with the patients because the are here for weeks and sometimes months at a time. I also love to work with dying patients and I get my fair share of that, too.
So far, I don't regret chosing this pathway.