Had to bite my tongue and....

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

try not to laugh.

It's been discussed here MANY times....how student nurses plan, often even before doing any of their nursing classes, to become CRNA's or NP's. It's SO very typical.

Labor Day weekend, I was up north with the fam. My mom's BF's grandson (who is about 8 years younger than me) is going in to nursing school. We were discussing career paths, and what does he say? You guessed it...he's going to be an anesthetist. "Or a NP," he adds a short while later. (so as to avoid the "messy" part of nursing....)

I didn't say a thing. Far be it for me to burst his bubble (and it's not like he can't do it, if he so chooses). He just seems to think it'll be one straight shot from start to finish. I tried to talk about needing experience, etc, before getting in to a Master's program...nope, he wasn't hearing it. I wanted to say, do you KNOW how many people think they are going to do that? Didn't say that either.

The whole conversation was such a cliche, after what I've read here, that I had to stifle a chuckle. Time will tell, I guess.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I do hear that sort of thing often. I usually only smile and say "great." The only time I ever really doubt them (silently, of course) is when they tell me they are going to medical school, and yet demonstrate that they have neither the aptitude, nor any idea of how the path from, say, highschool student to licensed physician progresses.

[nursingpedia]

The only time I ever really doubt them (silently, of course) is when they tell me they are going to medical school.

[Jenni811, RN]

I was going to be a CRNA at one point. Then i was going to be FNP. after that i was going to be a PA.

i'm an RN, no plans to go back and if i do, it will NOT have the word "nurse" in it.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I was going to be a CRNA at one point. Then i was going to be FNP. after that i was going to be a PA.

i'm an RN, no plans to go back and if i do, it will NOT have the word "nurse" in it.

I feel exactly the same way. If I go back to college, I will change careers completely. Sad to say it, but it is what it is!

[Isabelle49]

RN could take on a whole new meaning, Registered Nutcases!

[pauldarosaranch]

I usually just turn around Roll my eyes, and then tell them I am proud of them for following their dreams.

[NENE RN]

Just finished RN school, I had another girl talking about just going to NP school about 18months ago. I told her that she would have to get her RN first. She said nope she had a masters so she wouldn't have to actually goto RN school. Shook my head...Today she is taking A&P and all the classes that RN students have to take go figure.

[lrobinson5]

I was thinking of going for something specialized, but I am only in my 2nd semester in my ADN program. I am two semesters away from setting foot in an ICU, and I am sort of surprised that people already say they want to go the CRNA route. I don't even know if I like the ICU, and that isn't even taking in to consideration if I would be good at it.

The other thing that scares me is the minimum 1 year experience. I couldn't imagine being so comfortable in a job after only 1 year that I am ready to take on a much more advanced role.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

All of the traditional students in my class are going to be a CRNA, NP, or go to medical school. There are 5 LPN's in our class and we all just smile and say, "That's great". All the LPN's plan to stay at our present jobs.

[MammaNurse2Be]

When someone shares their dreams, no matter how far fetched it may seem, I wish them the best....and I mean it. Just like when my kids say they want to be fashion designers, rock stars, writers etc. Not once would I roll my eyes behind their back. What is the harm in having dreams and aspirations? I am sure plenty of people rolled their eyes at me about my dreams. But I am following mine and am as happy as ever.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

When someone shares their dreams, no matter how far fetched it may seem, I wish them the best....and I mean it. Just like when my kids say they want to be fashion designers, rock stars, writers etc. Not once would I roll my eyes behind their back. What is the harm in having dreams and aspirations? I am sure plenty of people rolled their eyes at me about my dreams. But I am following mine and am as happy as ever.

I totally understand what you are saying, and I don't mean that I wouldn't want someone to chase their dreams....it's more that their idea of the path to get there is unrealistic/impossible. They want to avoid "cleaning up poop," etc, so they think they can go right from starting nursing school through to a Master's without getting their hands dirty. They discuss these dreams without actually doing anything to find out what it takes. They think they will "make a ton of money," etc. It's become such a common thing to hear, is all. They don't want to be told otherwise, so....I guess they'll figure it out eventually.