I am recently divorced and need to start a career at age 52. I am drawn to nursing for 2 reasons: the pay and I naturally love helping people. I have taken all my pre-req courses for the nursing program at our local community college. I feel that I can handle the coursework, but I will need to work during the 2 year RN program and I know that will be difficult. I am somewhat worried about the health hazards I will be exposed to, especially the first 2 years after graduating, since I assume most entry level jobs are the worst.
I would like some brutally honest input from those of you in the know before I make this important decision to enter nursing. Will I likely have to work nights and weekends till I have experience? What are the real health risks?
I would be truly grateful for any frankness as I need to decide soon.
Depending on where you are located and the need for RN's, you may or may not have to work nights/weekends. I graduated a little over 2 yrs ago and have always worked weekday shift, along with many others that have the same or less tenure than myself.
Like the others have said, you will have to work weekends whether you are on day or night shift. Holidays, both major and minor, will be a work day also. Many new grad internships in my area are strictly night positions.
As far as being exposed to many illnesses, my experience has been that the times I have gotten sick was due to my two ankle biters at home. Take appropriate precautions and wash your hands like a madman and that should prevent any exposures.
However, it is often the most physically demanding job a woman has ever had.
Sorry, but I thought that was a cute quote!
I've experienced both sides of the coin also. I was a firefighter for close to 9 years before the change to nursing. Although I consider firefighting a more physically demanding job as a whole, nursing still has a physical aspect to it.
With firefighting, you would work really hard for short bursts, get a break/rehab, then go back into it, get a break/rehab, then go back to it.
In nursing, you walk a lot, stand forever, and are constantly bending over, always bending over. Patients mysteriously develop T-Rex arm syndrome or are trying to pull on you, and it seems like you are always rearranging the furniture - thus straining your back even with utilizing the best body mechanics.
I would say that nursing isn't as physical, but the work has a cumulative effect on your body. I have had more aches and pains with 2 years of nursing than I have had with 9 years of firefighting (according to my back and feet).
RazorbackRN, BSN, RN
394 Posts
Depending on where you are located and the need for RN's, you may or may not have to work nights/weekends. I graduated a little over 2 yrs ago and have always worked weekday shift, along with many others that have the same or less tenure than myself.