Day in the Life of a Nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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Yes, I am strongly considering go to school to become a Registered Nurse. However, my question is could some give a brief idea what a day is like working as a registered nurse. Exactly what are your job duties and responsibilities?

chubbi

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Specializes in Rural Health.

http://www.discovernursing.com/

Great website, you can look at profiles for all the different types of nursing and get an idea of what might be a good fit for you.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

There's a thread on this somewhere, Chubbi, and it's a fascinating one because all different types of nurses tell you what a typical day is like for them. Maybe someone can help me find it.

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If you really want to know what you are getting into(and you do), become a nursing assistant. The training is not long, there are lots of jobs available, and you will get to see exactly what nurses do. Nursing assistants see the "behind the scenes" work of nursing. Nursing assistant can be a flexible job for a student.

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I agree 100% percent about the above poster's suggestion to become a CNA. That's what I do now, and I work in an small ICU/PCU. I love it, but a lot isn't what I thought it would be. Lots of poop! LOL! I figured if I can handle to gross stuff and see nurses 'in action', then I can make the decision whether to spend the money for school.(I am) Good luck!

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med/surg.

I was a housekeeper for a long time, and I would observe the nurses. When my hospital started offering tuition forgiveness, I took it up, because after watching the nurses, I decided that it would be good for me. I'm good with people, I'm responsible, I'm caring. I went through the nursing program, which is difficult, I won't deny it. But its soooo worth it in the end. I agree with the other posts when they say try being a nurse aide first. You work along side the nurse and it really gives you a feel for what nursing is like. Now granted, some days will be better than others, and there are problems that arise, and you might not get along with all your coworkers, but that happens with any job. I worked as a nurse aide while I went to nursing school, and I found a great group of nurses that kind of took me under their wing and showed me some interesting stuff before I learned it in school--it was nice to have an advantage. And it helped on the clinical unit also. Give it a try, if you like being an aide, you will most likely like being a nurse! :nurse:

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

Most nursing programs are requiring CNA as a pre-req to the program anyway, so it wouldn't be a total waste. Better to know if you can hang as a CNA, before investing all that time & effort.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.
If you really want to know what you are getting into(and you do), become a nursing assistant. The training is not long, there are lots of jobs available, and you will get to see exactly what nurses do. Nursing assistants see the "behind the scenes" work of nursing. Nursing assistant can be a flexible job for a student.

I can really agree with this poster. You may have to deal with more vomit, blood and feces than you ever did see in your life, but you'll get used to it, that's all about nursing too! My hospital, when I went on leave to finish fourth semester of nursing school, paid me $350.00 each month for the whole semester!!! I was dumbfounded, for I had not signed any contract...so remember, some hospitals offer perks to soon to be nurses! Oh, and because of their generousity I still work for this same hospital!

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If you really want to know what you are getting into(and you do), become a nursing assistant. The training is not long, there are lots of jobs available, and you will get to see exactly what nurses do. Nursing assistants see the "behind the scenes" work of nursing. Nursing assistant can be a flexible job for a student.

I don't really think that is the best way. I know PLENTY of nursing assistants that have NO IDEA what nurses do - they know what nursing assistants do and many of them THINK they know what nurses do, but their view is incomplete. Shadowing a nurse would be a much better way to see what a nurse does than becoming a nursing assistant, IMO.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I don't really think that is the best way. I know PLENTY of nursing assistants that have NO IDEA what nurses do - they know what nursing assistants do and many of them THINK they know what nurses do, but their view is incomplete. Shadowing a nurse would be a much better way to see what a nurse does than becoming a nursing assistant, IMO.

I would agree with the above poster but it could depend on where you're located. Some places have awesome CNA's that truely do understand and keep the nurse informed about the patient. I've been fortunate to work with such CNA's. I've also had some limited experience with incompetent CNA's.

I would agree with shadowing a nurse if there's any way possible. Good Luck.

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