which direction to go...??

[olaureno]

I am interested in getting my ABSN and I would like to do trauma work, perhaps become a SANE nurse as well. I am very interested in the program at OHSU and think that with all the research and advanced programs there it would give me some great opportunities after granduation. My longterm boyfriend works for the park service seasonally and I would like the ability to travel with him (and travel in general) and would love to spend time as a traveling nurse, especially in rural areas (I love Alaska!). So here's my problem- I am going to do all my prereqs and do my best to ace them but as far as experience goes I dont know which direction to go. I have my BA in psychology and have worked as a direct care worker with individuals with mental illness for a number of years. I recently quit my job in supportive housing to live in the middle of nowhere to do native seed collection for the park service for the summer, you know, for a change of pace :) OHSU, unlike many other schools, does not look for work as a CNA for experience but is looking more for applicants with truely unique experiences. Id rather not work as a CNA as it seems primarily hospice and due to current events in my life its a little too close to home right now. I was thinking EMT as it is more trauma focused, but there are very few jobs in Portland as an EMT. Or... I could go totally opposite and keep going with unique jobs like working for the park service. Perhaps become a wilderness first responder and hope for some experience to present itself. A couple years ago I volunteered with the sexual assault resource center in portland for over a year where I had to accompany survivors to the ER and act as their advocate, working with police and the SANE nurse. I could do that agin while I am in Portland for my prereqs, though I would have to do a 40hr training all over again and commit to 24/month on top of school and whatever job I pursue. I really don't know which way to go and I am afraid I just wont decide and try to do them all at once somehow (yikes!). Any ideas? Thanks!!!!

[elvislover74]

I'm both a cna and an EMT-IV. If you're serious about nursing, then I highly suggest getting a job as a CNA. One, it's less time to get it than EMT. and two, if you want to ve a travel nurse then you need to be versatile in all sorts of medical situations. Cnas are what make or break the shift of the nurse. And in my honest opinion I think anyone who desires a nursing career should have to go be a CNA for a while. Being a nurse isnt just about pushing medications and charting. Its about literally NURSING your pt. Which is what most rns have forgotten. If you were to work in a hospital, you would learn quite a bit and there's such a variety in a hospital setting you could easily find your calling.