Interested in Nursing Career

[rclark]

In reading through the posts on this board, I think I've stumbled upon some great, caring, wonderful nurses! I've been in the computer industry for many years (office stuff...yuck!) and am considering a career change into nursing. My mom, grandma and sister are all nurses and I really have admired them over the years. I'm so tired of the 9-5 computer work world with its unstable employment and lack of flexibility in scheduling, that I'm seriously considering nursing. This would be a major step for me, but I really feel that I have worked for 15 years in jobs that haven't helped people, and as I'm maturing, I'm feeling more and more the need to do something for others...especially considering the events of this past year.

I'm looking for some feedback as to what you like about nursing (other than the obvious, helping people) as a career, and what are some of the drawbacks (other than the shortage and long hours). How difficult is it for a new graduate to find good work...do I have to "earn my stripes" with more experienced nurses? Is it a hard field to "break into"? Did you have a hard time as a new nurse? How long did it take until you started feeling comfortable and confident in what you were doing?

[akg2002]

I THINK YOU SHOULD GO FOR IT. IM A FAIRLY NEW NURSE. IVE BEEN ON FOR 3 YRS. I WENT STRAIGHT INTO DIALYSIS AND HAVE BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. I AM NOW FIXING TO BRANCH OUT AND GO INTO CARDIAC/ICU NURSING. THATS WHATS SO GREAT ABOUT IT. THERE IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY. IM SURE THAT YOULL DISCOVER BY READING THIS BOARD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO READ ALOT OF NEGATIVE MORE THAN POSITIVE ABOUT NURSING. BUT ITS LIKE ANY OTHER CAREER YOU COULD DO. THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME NEGATIVE. I BELIEVE THE POSITIVE ALWAYS WEIGHS OUT THE NEGATIVE. SO DONT LET ANYONE CHANGE YOUR MIND. ITS AN EXCELLENT FIELD AND THE MONEY ISNT TO SHABBY ALSO. GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. YOULL DO GREAT.OH YEAH, AS A NEW NURSE RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL IT DID NOT TAKE ME VERY LONG AT ALL TO FEEL COMFORTABLE. MOST NURSES DONT FORGET WHERE THEY CAME FROM AND HOW THEY STARTED OUT SO THEY ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP OUT WHENEVER THEY ARE NEEDED. BEST WISHES