I am just wondering if i should be a nurse. Im about to be a senior in high school and I think I want to be a nurse but I have a LOT of questions I need to ask someone who is a nurse.
On this site people say its a crappy job, you get burnt out easily, and you get 'abused' and mistreated by doctors and other people. Is this true? Do the pros out weigh the cons?
Also, how fast paced is it? Do you have to make a lot of life or death decisions on your own?
Don't always like the situations, but like the life.
My children brag about me, which tells me they respect what I do and forgive the years of my working nights and sleeping days, so that I don't see them as much as I'd have liked.
Many high schools do career days, or the counselors can contact people to see if you can shadow for a day. If your counselor can't, call the human resources department of your local hospital and ask if they have programs to let you shadow, or even volunteer for a while. I was a candystriper at the age of 14, and had to go to a job interview in my striped pinfore because of timing; it got me the job.
Try reading "Nursing Against the Odds", for a gritty look at nursing.
Come on in, the water's fine! :smiletea2::smiletea2:
I suggest that you read all the books by real-life nurses that you can - just have some idea of what you're getting into!
I recommend Echo Heron, especially if you wonder what critical care is like. I've worked ICU for over 6 years and she hits the nail on the head.
I love being a nurse. I don't do very much bedside care any more, but I enjoy the challenge. Some days it's figuring out what's wrong with the patient, some days it's just trying to do SOMETHING to bless someone else, be it family member, patient, co-worker, physician, or cafeteria lady...you don't always know what that special thing you do that really helps someone is.
There are so many areas that you can work in as a nurse that if you don't like one, you can find something else.
JBudd, MSN
3,836 Posts
After 27 years, yeah, I like being a nurse.
Don't always like the situations, but like the life.
My children brag about me, which tells me they respect what I do and forgive the years of my working nights and sleeping days, so that I don't see them as much as I'd have liked.
Many high schools do career days, or the counselors can contact people to see if you can shadow for a day. If your counselor can't, call the human resources department of your local hospital and ask if they have programs to let you shadow, or even volunteer for a while. I was a candystriper at the age of 14, and had to go to a job interview in my striped pinfore because of timing; it got me the job.
Try reading "Nursing Against the Odds", for a gritty look at nursing.
Come on in, the water's fine! :smiletea2::smiletea2: