Hi there. I have wanted to go to nursing school for the past 10 years. I haven't enrolled yet do to family needs. I was a CNA in an LTC facility for 2 years. I loved the nursing/patient care aspects of the job but burnt out due to the chronic understaffing. So I went to college and avoided nursing. But have stayed in the health care field because I like it. Now, 10 years later,I want to go back to school for the second time to become an RN (and eventually an FNP).
I am now taking my first pre-reg and getting an A. I feel comfortable around patients. I have 2 years of experience with patient care as a CNA. And other experience with seriously ill family members. I have seen highs and lows. I want to be an RN. I also have enough experience to know that I do not want to be a floor nurse or in an LTC forever. I really want to have my own practice. And perhaps even teach a little. Not because I hate hospitals but because I want to be an FNP. There is a part of me that gets so excited when I think about what I could do someday.
Although there are a few nurses in my office who are encourage me most of my coworkers act as if I'm crazy. They tell me that 'I'll never make as a nurse'. that nurses are 'glorified b**t wipers' and that if I want to make money I shouldn't go into nursing. The pre-dominant message I hear is that nursing is stressful and that I don't have what it takes. I'm not going into nursing to get rich and I think I can make it. But their behavior is
starting to get to me.
I have heard the expression that "Nurses eat their young". Frankly, I think they are licking their lips!! Will I be devoured when I get through school? Do their comments make sense to you? Has nursing changed in the past decade to become as bad as all that?
Any comments(or encouragement:D ) would be appreciated.
