Absolutely nobody around me wants me to be a nurse. I am currently a Realtor and everyone thinks I should stick with it. I HATE REAL ESTATE! You don't know where the next check is coming from, it is SO expensive to get started and keep going, I have to work from home so I feel like I am always working, it is cut-throat, greedy and most importantly, I get no satisfaction from it.
I have wanted to be a nurse for three years now and was suppose to start LPN school last fall, but I got pregnant and the school requested me to not start b/c the baby was due in the middle of the program. That worked out b/c he ended up a preemie. But they saved my spot for this year.
I have had to do everything secretly. My financial aid, I am studying up on A&P, I even have a second job to carry me through paying off the credit I had to use for real estate so that I can use that credit for books and such.
Did anyone here ever have to go up against anyone to become a nurse? I really want this, but I don't know how to handle it. When you are doing something as tough as nursing school, you need support. No matter what I am going to school...that is one thing I am sure of.
Many people tried to talk me out of becomming a nurse. My grandfather told me it was too much work and not enough pay. Other people told me kinda the same thing, I would respond with, "I thought you become a nurse to care for the sick and make a differance in people's lives?" Even other nurse's would respond in a negitive manner, telling me that it's mostly paper work and long hours without enough pay or benifits. But I did have the support of two very important people, my mother and my husband. They both encouraged me to follow my dreams and to make the differance I thought I could. I've had many different types of jobs in the past but nursing seemed to be where I was drawn.
I thought long and hard before going back to school, but I did become a Registered nurse and I don't regret it. There are times when I laugh, stomp my feet in anger, and even times when I cry, but I love being a nurse, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you really want to be a nurse and understand the journey ahead of you, don't let anyone talk you out of it.
Always consider the source of comments. WHO is saying it and where they're coming from. Always listen to yourself FIRST and LAST.
True, you are studying to be an LPN - is this a step towards being an RN?
I'll be starting the BS Nursing program at Johns Hopkins. I plan on continuing, after working a while, to complete a master's degree, possibly Nurse Practitioner. I'll be 50 y.o. this August, and am thrilled about the opportunities ahead. This is a career change from graphic, print design. To make the change from graphics to healthcare, I became a personal trainer and now an aerobics instructor.
A lot of people ask me why I'm pursuing nursing, puzzled that I'd change from something that sounds glamorous to something that sounds, well, like being a nurse.
People who question your decision probably have no clue to the many possibilities of nursing, and the fact that we'll always have a job.
In ANY field you'll find people that love it and people that hate it, and many in-between. It's so individual. You've wanted this for 3 years, that's a good track record.
I want to encourage you to continue and get as much education as possible. Many nurses have left the field because it has typically been a difficult job with low pay. This is changing and will change most for those with advanced degrees.
Healthcare is the most stable field and continues to grow.
NEVER GIVE UP. Never let anyone else deter you from what you want. Most people stay in jobs / careers they're not happy with and don't have the courage or fortitude to change.
CONGRADULATIONS on the birth of your child. Good idea to wait before starting the LPN program.
OK?
Absolutely nobody around me wants me to be a nurse. I am currently a Realtor and everyone thinks I should stick with it. I HATE REAL ESTATE! You don't know where the next check is coming from, it is SO expensive to get started and keep going, I have to work from home so I feel like I am always working, it is cut-throat, greedy and most importantly, I get no satisfaction from it.
I have wanted to be a nurse for three years now and was suppose to start LPN school last fall, but I got pregnant and the school requested me to not start b/c the baby was due in the middle of the program. That worked out b/c he ended up a preemie. But they saved my spot for this year.
I have had to do everything secretly. My financial aid, I am studying up on A&P, I even have a second job to carry me through paying off the credit I had to use for real estate so that I can use that credit for books and such.
Did anyone here ever have to go up against anyone to become a nurse? I really want this, but I don't know how to handle it. When you are doing something as tough as nursing school, you need support. No matter what I am going to school...that is one thing I am sure of.
I say go for it! Now, I am sappy when it comes to nursing, I love it! Granted, there are the politics and that sucks...but what field doesnt have politics?? And there will be days when you think...Why in the *#@* did I do this? But those days when you leave knowing that something YOU did changed or saved a life?? That is a pretty awesome feeling...I took care of a woman recently who was 37 and dying of ovarian cancer..she died on my shift, which was horrible and I cried with the family, anyway, she had an 8year old daughter who spent alot of time at the hospital with her mom and I saw her recently in a store and she recognized me and walked up to me and pulled on my hand and said to me " I remember you, you were one of my mommy's angels when she was going to Heaven" and the husband walked up to me and simply said Thank you, you being such a caring person made it easier for all of us. Let me tell you, on bad nursing days..that experience will get me on because I know there will be someone out there that needs me.
Specializes in Maternal Infant, Adult Med-Surg, Adolesc.
I just have to say that even though what you say is harsh, I totally agree with you. My friend's sister became an LPN and it took her 15 mos. of school. However, a family member is going through an associate degree program and will finish in two years. I would totally go for the AD-RN before going through LPN school. I don't think LPN's get the respect they deserve and they are paid total crap. (By the way, off topic, I am a BS RN and my fiance is a engineer. It seems there are alot of engineer/nurse husbands and wives.)
An 18-month (2-yr) ADN program will most likely take the average person 21/2 to 3 academic years to complete. If getting into the workforce quickly is an issue, then a 15-mo PN program may be suitable. If you are unsure of your committment to nursing, this is also an inexpensive way to test both the academic and working environment. Once you are financially and emotionally committed to an ADN or BSN program, your experience as an LPN will be a good foundation to carry you through to your ultimate goal. While some LPNs do work in acute care or high risk environments, there is a tremendous need for all levels of nursing in Long-term care, which generally gets religated to the LPN. I hope that when I am ready for long-term care, there will be highly qualified LPNs and dedicated RNs to help look after me and my family members.
One of my instructors tried to talk me out of it. It was my last semester, and she told me to apply to grad school, medical school, law school--or switch my major. She told me that I would be very unhappy as a nurse. She herself, was going to go to medical school.
Well, I should have listened to her. Nursing has its good and bad, but overall, it turned out not to be for me. I left nursing, with no regrets. I would sooner drive a truck, or work at Starbucks, than over go back to nursing.
One of my instructors tried to talk me out of it. It was my last semester, and she told me to apply to grad school, medical school, law school--or switch my major. She told me that I would be very unhappy as a nurse. She herself, was going to go to medical school.
Well, I should have listened to her. Nursing has its good and bad, but overall, it turned out not to be for me. I left nursing, with no regrets. I would sooner drive a truck, or work at Starbucks, than over go back to nursing.
You really made me think. I just graduated in May of 2005. I started working 3wks ago on orientation and It has been very stressful, I started second guessing my decision to become a nurse. After working 12 hours for 3 days straight,I am totally exhausted. I am being oriented by a lady who constantly looks at me as if I dont know what I am doing. I agree being on a med-surg floor as a full fledge nurse is very overwhelming, But I INTEND TO BE A DARN GOOD NURSE; DISPITE HER EFFORTS OF SABOTAGE. I come home every night exhausted, but each day I am a little less tired. I have decided that those nurses on med-surg, are not going to take my career. I intend to be one of the best, if not the best.Every night that I have came home exhausted, the strangest thing is, I feel very fulfilled in some way.
Did anyone try to talk me out of being a nurse....You bet! I had the administrator of a diploma program tell me I wasn't cut out to be a nurse and I should look at something else. I had nurses tell me how terrible being a nurse is. I got married and had a child and was told how hard that would be. Needless to say I didn't listen! I'm slightly stubborn and bullheaded and extremely determined. Telling me I can't do something is like putting gas to a fire....so...it's been 13 years now since I graduated from nursing school.
That being said, nursing is a very trying, tiring, frustrating, rewarding, exciting and ever changing profession. My husband at the time was very against my getting my degree, he was afraid I'd leave him if I had an education. I ended up leaving him so I could get my education. (I'm in no way recommending that for you) I depended heavily on my parents for help with my son during that time. You need the support of your spouse and your family, it takes everyone during school and afterward. Working twelve hour shifts that often turn into 14 or 16 hour shifts is difficult on any family.
If this is something you want to do.....Go for it!! Don't let anyone or anything hold you back. Just make sure you're going in with eyes wide open. It's gonna be tough and you're going to need help, encouragement and support but you can do it.
As for the LPN vs RN issue, as a new grad many years ago I depended on and learned so very much from the seasoned LPN's I worked with. If you can do the RN or BSN program it does open up more career opportunities and you make a little more money but you have to do what best fits your needs at the time.
I think nursing is definetely not for everyone...I've been working on a tele floor (PCU) for ~1 1/2 years. Everybody says you need to really give it a good 6months to year just to begin enjoying nursing. Sadly, I've discovered I hate nursing! My sister-in-law (a phys assistant) asked "don't you find it rewarding?" Sadly, all I could say is "NO"!
I'll be returning to school to earn a BS in Animal Biotechnology & Conservation. I've discovered that I'm not the type of person who can do a job I hate! I'll probably start off earning less than I do know, but my sanity & happiness are worth soo much more....
Basically, if you feel that nursing is your calling, go for it & best of luck to you!!! Have you considered working pt as an aide or tech, there is soo much to learn & any experience makes a world of difference:)
You can count me as one of those ones who has a degree/diploma in something other than the medical field and has had the calling to be a nurse since high school some 16 years ago, I was encouranged in high school by the guidance counselor to go to business college and that is what I did.
I finally took the plunge and was accepted to the local university last November and completed my first semester doing my pre-reqs. It was a huge challenge to attend college full-time with a family. The nursing school said it is much easier to do all of the pre-reqs and then completely focus on the nursing school part... I have to admit, it was a stretch just getting adjusted to the college scene all over again.
When I told my mother on Christmas day I was going back to college to be a nurse her reply was "why do you want to do something like that" I was absolutely furious, I thought she would be happy for me-NOT!!! She is a very negative/resentful person... This has just made me more determined to succeed.
My mother thought I should go on to be an account rep and manage the music department at Wal-mart for the rest of my life since I made almost $12 an hour with the mileage. :angryfire
My husband told me point blank, if I was going back to school to be a nurse to go for my ADN versus LPN because I would not be happy and would end up doing it anyways...
My dad & step-mom, as well as my siblings, have all been extremely encouraging.
Why did you find that nursing wasn't for you? Which degree did you obtain (ADN, BSN . . .) Where were you working? (hospital, setting. . .)
One of my instructors tried to talk me out of it. It was my last semester, and she told me to apply to grad school, medical school, law school--or switch my major. She told me that I would be very unhappy as a nurse. She herself, was going to go to medical school.
Well, I should have listened to her. Nursing has its good and bad, but overall, it turned out not to be for me. I left nursing, with no regrets. I would sooner drive a truck, or work at Starbucks, than over go back to nursing.
duncanRN
35 Posts
I agree.