Considering nursing

[ustwonomore]

Hello everyone, I hope I've come to the right spot to post this question. I am currently a single mom of 2 very small children,in the process of a divorce,and am considering going back to school so I am able to support myself. Right now, I am a medical transcriptionist part time, but the benefits aren't that great, as is the pay, which is why I'm considering nursing. There are still many factors into making this decision and that is why I am here.

First, I guess that I am concerned that I will even be able to handle this job mentally, with all the responsibilities, as well as my concern over getting sick to my stomach over a difficult case. I was an EMT a long time ago and that didn't bother me, but I guess the worry about being able to handle everything still weighs on me a little bit. (Like wasting my time and everyone elses time for a job I may not be able to do.) I do like working with patients though and think I would be better in certain departments over others.

If I do chose nursing, is there even such a thing as working dayshift hours so I can be home with my children when the daycare closes? I do have family that can help once and a while should I need them, but not every night and certainly not overnights. My children are my first priority of course. (This doesn't even touch on the mandatory overtime either or am I too focused on the acute care aspect and not enough on all the other nursing jobs out there?)

Then, I know that it is sometimes hard to even get accepted into a school for the nursing program, I worry that I am too old (36) and they may be looking for younger people hoping they will stay around longer.

I have considered other positions, but don't really know about the salaries, job details, etc, because I don't know anyone in those positions to give advice, or even any good websites to research (like this one). I don't even know of websites to research and find out what type of positions where the money would be comparable to that of nursing or even if there is a need. I believe PT, OT, and pharmacy are all 5 year programs and I would really like to be working full time sooner than 5 years. Does anyone know any good sites to find more info on those types of jobs as well? I am considering lots of medical jobs like respiratory and ultrasound techs, or even PT and OT assistant, etc. Can you tell I'm confused yet? lol

Anyway, I have a billion more questions, but I'm sure that (hopefully) some replies may answer the other questions too.

I appreciate all replies!

Thanks for reading this.

Michele

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

If your heart tells you this is the career for you then go for it. I think that you just have to step out on faith sometimes.

I think with the wide variety of nursing specialties that you would find a niche that works around your children. (They aren't little forever...) I am 45 and starting accelerated BSN training in the fall so I don't think 36 is too old.

Wish you all the best!

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Hi Michele-

Welcome. ;-) Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.

You know, I had similar worries in regard to being able to tolerate some of the graphic aspects and stressful nature of the job, but I find that real world experience gives you new strengths, and you just may surprise yourself! I can tell you that when you are a student and new nurse, you will likely feel overwhelmed at times with the responsibility, and this is a normal feeling. It gets better with time, though some days I feel like my head is spinning & I need to clone myself at work to get it all done! LOL

Hours- Well, many jobs offer dayshift hours. It varies. I think clinics and doctors offices are more traditional 9-5 type of deal, not sure exactly though about hours (I work in a hospital myself). In the hospital I work at, dayshift is 7:00a-3:30 pm, pms is 3:00 pm-11:30 pm, and nights is 11:00 pm-7:30 am. Some nurses do 12 hours shifts of 7a-7p or 7p-7a, in which 3 (12 hour) shifts a week is considered full time.What's really family friendly about the job is that you can work full time or part time as little as much as you like. I do have to work alternating weekends, though (but gets days off midweek which is nice). There's also lots of opportunity for overtime & extra shifts at my job!

You worry about being too old at 36? Ha ha! That's a wonderful age! (I'm 35). I went through nursing school in my late 20s, and there were students age early 20s- mid 50s in my class.Some were already grandparents. Many had little ones at home, and several were single parents just like you. I actually find that the "older" students do very well in that they have life experience and maturity to bring to the table. You won't be considered too old at 36!

Go to http://www.salary.com and look up nurisng salaries in your area. Also read the classifieds. Go to some nursing schools in your area and ask for information about their program, and job outlook. It pays very well, where I live, but the pay does vary greatly depending on position and geographic area.

I highly recommend that you job shadow and RN and/or perhaps volunteer and see if it looks like a match for you. I volunteered before nursing school (just one day a week for 4 hours or so). I too, had a few doubts and fears, but mostly I felt like I knew I wanted to be a nurse, because I felt such a connection with people and a passion for learning about health & wellness.At the time I entered nursing school, it was not as hot a career as it is now, and the pay was okay, but much less. I think most important is to decide if the job is one you will find interesting and challenging.

One of the neat things about nursing is that there are so many things you can do with it, as far as feeling like you need to try something new in a different specialty area...like public health, wound care, hospital nursing, school nursing, clinic nursing, homecare, hospice, the list goes on.

Good luck & hope that helped answer some of your questions! :balloons:

[ustwonomore]

Thanks for the replies. I do love the medical field and I think I would love nursing, but there is a part of me that has doubts and I guess that's normal too. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks!

Michele

[wantstobeanurse]

Thanks for the replies. I do love the medical field and I think I would love nursing, but there is a part of me that has doubts and I guess that's normal too. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks!

Michele

Hi Michele:

I am just like you, wanting to be a nurse, i am not really worried about the hard work, i dont enjoy a job sitting down all day....my only worry is dealing with abusive, or VIOLENT patients, i read in one post here that a patient punched a nurse's face & broke her jaw :angryfire, i mean i am worried to death about those kind of patients...oh well i am sure those are rare cases..so goodluck to you and to me!