counting the cost before committing

Absolutely13 · Jun 2, 2008

Well, for me, the initial immunizations were Tdap, Hep A and B and a TB screen.

You sound a little paranoid about getting sick?

txpixiedust · Jun 2, 2008

Hi Flybaby1,

It looks like you're concerned with 2 areas - safety and entry positions....

There are certainly risks that come with Nursing in general - since we are "exposed"

to our patients every time we go to work. However, the degree to which you are exposed is subject to 2 things -the specialty you decide to work in, and the degree to which you actually practice the precautions you learn in Nursing school. Of course there are always unforseen things such as accidents, but in general if you glove, gown, and mask up when needed you will be safe.

Needle sticks occur but do not happen with great frequency, and if they do the Hospital has protocols in place to reduce your chance of contracting something. I admit that I'm new, but I try to continue putting to practice the things I learned in school, and take time (even though I don't always have it) to be slow and deliberate with things like needles, blood/urine samples, etc. And I wear GLOVES all the time!!! In fact, my girlfriends in Nursing school would give me a hard time about how quickly I had gloves on once I got into the patients room, and always had a pair or two in my pocket for emergencies!!! ha ha ha :wink2:

As to the entry level positions - yes, most graduate nurses work nights. You most likely would have to work 2 weekends (or 4 weekend nights) per month. At my hospital, the weekend nights are Friday and Saturday. But....a nice thing about weekends is the $10 per hour more you make, and the fun you'll have spending it when places aren't as crowded during the week! ha....at least I think so. They usually have a

"list" you can put your name on if you want to get moved to dayshift, and when your name comes up you can decide if you want to move to days or get your name put back at the bottom of the list again.

Also....I know a lot of people will tell you that you have to work Med/Surg as a GN. There are a ton of Med/Surg jobs for GN's, but if you get an Internship you can start working in a specialty area (Mother Baby, L&D, NICU, MICU, ICU, ER, OR,etc..) that you really want to work in long-term.

I'm sure with the pre-req's you've taken, you could get into another related field with different risks...but if you really want to be a Nurse, would you be happy?

I was 31 y/o separated mom when I went back to school, and I'm so glad I did. I know I've mentioned this on the site before, how my brother (a photographer, web, and marketing genius) made a gift for me after my graduation....but I'll tell it again because I hope it will inspire you! :redbeathe After the graduation cermonies, my brother took a picture of me in my cap & gown in front of the sign at my school. A few days later, he gave me another card telling me how proud he was of me, and how I was a great example to him of determination, and hard work. Along with the card he gave me a framed picture of me that he'd taken with a quote from C.S. Lewis worked into the top of the photo. It said "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

Follow your :redbeathe and you'll find joy, no matter what age you are!

Good Luck & God Bless!:heartbeat

txpixiedust

Absolutely13 · Jun 2, 2008

That was a great post!

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2008

I'm 52 also ...I've been a nurse for 22 years. More than exposure (I got more sick from working with children in my pre-nursing career), please be aware of the physical wear and tear most bedside nursing jobs entail. Nursing, especially hospital nursing, is very physical work. That isn't to say it can't be done or you are too old. Plenty of nurses here will argue that point. I'm just saying that it is a factor.

Shiftwork never bothered me. Sometimes it is hard to get a day off when you want one and that was new for me.

Best wishes to you!

Absolutely13 · Jun 2, 2008

I'm 52 also ...I've been a nurse for 22 years. More than exposure (I got more sick from working with children in my pre-nursing career), please be aware of the physical wear and tear most bedside nursing jobs entail. aNursing, especially hospital nursing, is very physical work. That isn't to say it can't be done or you re too old. Plenty of nurses here will argue that point. I'm just saying that it is a factor.
Shiftwork never bothered me. Sometimes it is hard to get a day off when you want one and that was new for me.
Best wishes to you!

I respectfully argue that bedside nursing is NOT "very physical work." Coming from a construction background, I would put nursing in the top 5 of jobs that require walking, standing and moving patients in an air conditioned or heated environment.

Oh boy, I guess that one hit a nerve.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2008

I respectfully argue that bedside nursing is NOT "very physical work."

I've been an RN for 22 years and that is my opinion. You are entitled to yours. I know far too many permanently disabled RNs from work place injuries to ignore this issue. The OP asked for information about the health hazards she would be exposed to. I was responding to that.

Absolutely13 · Jun 2, 2008

Sorry Quickbeam, I meant no personal disrespect. I have seen both sides of the coin and that is how I formed my personal opinion.

If you want to put nursing on par with being a bricklayer in the "physical jobs" category, all the power to you.

I say this knowing I am working toward becoming an RN to treat my body a little kinder and use my brain much more.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2008

I had multiple careers before becoming an RN, including in construction. I also case managed work comp injuries for many years in both the construction and health care fields. The nursing injuries were amongst the worst I saw. Again, I was responding to the OP's concerns as a 52 year old re: health hazards. She asked for input from those "in the know".

elkpark · Jun 2, 2008

Like so many things, I think that "physically demanding" is in the eye of the beholder and depends on what you're comparing it to.

I would certainly agree that there are many jobs more physically demanding than bedside nursing! However, those are mostly jobs (like construction) that people go into expecting that it's going to be hard physical work. Nursing is more physically demanding than most traditionally "female" jobs, and a surprising number of people don't seem to realize nursing involves much physical effort at all. Even though it might not be much (effort) by construction work standards, it's harder (physically) work than many people ever consider taking on. I don't think there's anything wrong, or any larger meaning, in pointing that out to someone considering going into nursing at an older age -- I've done it, myself, on this board many times.

djc1981 · Jun 2, 2008

i tend to think that judging how physically demanding nursing is often seen through gender-colored glasses. most of the guy rns i know feel it is a downright comfy position (working in air condition all day getting paid quite well) compared to things their buddies do -- like construction, mining, factory work, etc. however, it is often the most physically demanding job a woman has ever had. so that may count for some of the differing opinions. :twocents:

Absolutely13 · Jun 2, 2008

[ She asked for input from those "in the know".

I know both sides of the equation and was responding to your assertion that nursing is inherently more physically demanding than some other professions.

However, I yield for the sake of silliness. I think my original point was lost.