need some advice

[telephone guy]

Hello,

I currently work as a technician for a small, rural telephone company. After months of deliberation, I have decided to retrain as an RN. I have spoken with several relatives who are nurses and they encourage my decision. They continually cite the fact that I will "never want for work" and about how rewarding it can be. I have been accepted by a local hospital-run nursing school. However, after having read alot of the discussions posted on this website, I am a little perplexed. Many of you seem really discouraged with your jobs and seem to regret your decisions to enter the field. Is it really that horrible out there? What advice can you give someone who wants to become an RN? Thanks.

[Liddle Noodnik]

Originally posted by jgg767

I am planning on volunteering at a hospital to get a feeling of nursing.

What an EXCELLENT thing to do! I was first a candy striper (many moons ago) and then a nurses' aide. From there I saw what nurses were doing and I wanted to know WHY they did certain things.

My sister went thru all of beauty school to discover that she HATED it. I know a man who became a teacher and had to leave months later because he despised working with kids! Your "pre-job" volunteering will be a great way to discover if you, PERSONALLY, enjoy that kind of work.

We "kvetch" here because there are few places where we can. However you will also find some POSITIVE threads where we say why we love what we do (look for THOSE!)

You are on the right track and it's a GOOD thing to have doubts. I would be worried if you didn't. Good luck, and stick around and let us know what else you need to know and how you are doing!

[Wren]

Telephone guy......

Be a nurse!!! I am prejudiced but I love this career. Where else can you find the opportunity to branch out in so many different directions?

You can have a job where you never see the same patient twice, or one where you take care a patient for years, or one where you never see a patient. You can be deeply involved in technology and have the latest cool tools or never use them. You can work closely with doctors or get a job where you rarely have to see them. You can teach other students or patients. You can work in many, many different settings. Just looking at the varied specialty postings and you'll see what I mean.

My daughter is a nurse (labor and delivery) my niece is training to be one and my husband is a doctor. Know what, I'd rather be a nurse than a doctor any day.

Sure there a unhappy nurses (and mechanics and taxi drivers and computer programers) but if you think you want this, don't let any naysayer stop you because nursing is versatile enough that I am sure you'll find an area that you like.

Good luck!