nursing school

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello I am a high school senior this year and I have been wanting to go to nursing school since my feshman year, however, now I am having doubts. I know I would like to work on either a labor and delivery or nicu unit and have been on about 11 job shadows seeing a both a vag birth, c-section, and cath insert and I know I can handle it. However now I am thinking about having to learn out to give bath, do peri care, cleansing enemas, and all that stuff type of stuff and I am not sure if I am comfortable doing it especially to men. Do any of you have advice ? Was it hard for you? Also if I go to nursing school would you reccommend a 2 yr or 4yr program. Thanks so much this board really helps me with all my questions!!!

Gardengal

146 Posts

Daisy,

I commend you as a high school senior for having looked into your preferred profession so thoroughly. One of the things about nursing is that you have to have an understanding about many procedures and processes. Nursing is a hands on profession, which requires knowledge, practice and most of all caring.

I remember giving my first enema to a man...I was really nervous and didn't think I could do it. Turned out he was more nervous about it than I and after spending so much energy trying to calm him down I realized I wasn't as nervous as he. it was at that point I realized I could do anything in my efforts to be a nurse.

My advice is to think about your goal, and to maybe work as an aide to increase your comfort with patients.

2 years or 4 years depends on your time and money available.

sjoe

2,099 Posts

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

Daisy, if you decide to go to nursing school, the things you mentined will most likely be the LEAST of your concerns, so don't sweat it. You'll be too busy trying to remember all the stuff you need to know!

2 or 4 years? It depends on how much you like school and what kind of things, besides nursing, you want to have some idea about. Look over the list of courses for a 2 year school, then those of a 4 year school, to give you an idea of the difference. the pay will be about the same, in most cases.

In some facilities you will be more likely to be offered supervisory positions with a 4 year degree, in others it makes no difference. If you decide you want to get a MSN, then, of course, you would need a 4 year degree first. So it all depends on what you want.

Hang out at a 2 year school and talk with some nursing students. Do the same at a 4 year school, if you can. See what you think.

Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

More than likely, the people who graduated from a two year program will tell you to go to a two year program (which is really about 3 years) and the people who went to a four year program will tell you that a four year program (which is usually closer to 5)is the only way to go. Around here, there is no difference in pay so the choice is up to you. But if I were you...

You're young, you have plenty of time on your hands, so you should go for the four year program. Enjoy your college years and don't be in too big a hurry to join the "real world." Trust me, the real world will be there if you become a nurse at 21 or 23. Taking a four year course allows you to take some classes that you might not otherwise take (I'm not talking about nursing classes here).

If you decide ten years later to get your masters, you won't have to find a bridge program or finish your BSN first (which, depending on where you go, can take as little as a year or as long as 3 years).

I believe one of these days the point of entry into the profession will be the BSN, so it would be better to go ahead and get it now, while you can.

JMHO.

Dear Daisy:

Hi. I aslo worried about doing things like peri care, changing briefs (adult diapers), giving bath's and such. After you are in school for awhile and after you do those things.........it just doesn't bother you anymore.

The first time I had to give peri care, I could see that my patient was feeling very embarrassed and somewhat personally intruded upon. In turn, I was more concerned with trying to help my patient not feel so embarrassed and undignified about what was happening.

Keep faith. All is well in the end. After you are in nursing for awhile, I am sure that you will think back to this day and be greatfull you decided to become a nurse.

Best of luck!!!

mario_ragucci

1,041 Posts

don't sweat (perfuse) over that now. it takes experience, and a gentle wing. We (humans) are mammals; and we get emotional about things. You have the power, and you have the might, so take your time and let it happen. Train yourself with the aid of others (the gentle wing effect). Being young, some RN's may attack and eat you right away, lol. Im only kidding. Daisy is made of stars

mark_LD_RN

940 Posts

you get used to it, the first few times it may be diffucult but it gets better. maybe you could consider volunteering or getting a part time job as a cna to get a better feel for it.

as far as the 2 or 4 yr program look at each program checkit out well. and decide which is best for you. but my advice is to go for the 4 yr program, if you can. being you are young it is best to get the most education you can at a young age if you can.

I teach at both ADN and BSN programs and truely believe that it is best to get as much education as you can when you can.

as stated above check the actual length of programs in my area we have 3 ADN programs all take at least 3 yrs to complete. and 2 BSNprograms one takes 4 yrs other is accelerated program with long classes and long days but you can get your BSN in 2 1/2 yrs. needless to say that is the program I went to. the little difference in time to complete the program Ithink in most cases it is best to get the BSN if able to.

just make sure it is a good program,. and note the key words in my post do it if you are able to.

one more point only go into nursing if it is really what you want don't do it for the money or you will be unhappy.

good luck in what ever you choose to do.:)

micro, RN

1,173 Posts

what Mario, mark LD rn, and others said.........

I also am impressed with your apparent research into this field......

I am an ADN RN........and at some point, I also foresee in the future that entry level will be bachelor's level.....

if I am not there yet, I also know that with my experience I would be "grandfathered" in.....

but if I had your age(this is a compliment), I would look into the options of a bachelor's program.....

take your time.........

take training as a CNA, and work part time as a CNA, letting those you work with that you are interested in pursuing nursing.....

it is great experience and gets right down to the nuts and bolts of nursing........

the only thing in a down side I will say.....is if only for the money.....do not do it.........

it isn't worth it.........

best of luck.........

"gentle wings"

micro

Malt2390

5 Posts

The first time I had to put a condom cath on an 18 year old I thought I would just die of humiliation. Now I just dare those gents to say a word. Ya never know what they will need next.

mario_ragucci

1,041 Posts

Forget about it ! The worst is changing a ripe colostomy bag, for me, because my nose is digital, and it takes alot to over ride all the signals of that.

After that comes the digital. You are really helping someone when you do it, but it's awkward, duh.

When a person needs help, they can tell right away that I am able and willing to give help, and thats everything on my part, and most people respond to that universally/cosmicly

Some [older north american women] still see my sex as a threat and can not see past that. I forgive them all, because when I encounter this, it bolsters my desire to be the best nurse, which I already am in my mind [seeing is believing....thats right]

I'm sorry :-(

lunakat

369 Posts

I am in nursing pre-reqs right now and I plan on going to a 2 yr school first. I was told by a NP that this was easier becasue you get done fastre and can get a job. Then you can go back and complete the rest and not have as much to stress about becasue you already have a job.:D

OBNURSEHEATHER

1,961 Posts

First of all, welcome to our home away form home! How cool that you have already researched this so thoroughly!

As for being embarrassed about procedures on men, I wouldn't really worry about it. They are just as mortified as you are (usually! - there's always one fruit cake)!

As for the 2 year vs. 4 year..... weigh all of the options and do what is best for you. No one else will be living with your decision, so why should anyone else make it?

Good luck!

Heather

+ Add a Comment