I'm new and I want to be a Nurse. My only hesitation is that I tend to change my career choices and I hate it. I would love to stick to one thing that I enjoy. I've only studied business and I'm 25 years old. How old is everyone around here? Is it too late to start over?? I love helping people and I hate desk jobs. I know I would love being a Nurse. After reading a few posts, everyone says a nurses job is a respectable profession yet I hear a lot of negative things in terms of work. The hours. etc. How fast can you advance. I would want to be in L&D or Cardiac.
What I hear a lot if that there is a lot of butt wiping and dirty work. Or is that only in one area. Say if you specialize in L&D and work with babies (I LOVE BABIES) do you still get sent around doing other work?
What is the salary for a L&D nurse? Usual hours?
Will it be hard for someone with no previous science background, except a first year university biology course!!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
L/D is not "easy nursing work" and it does get nasty----very nasty---- as others mentioned. If you can handle lots of blood spills/spatters and yes, some poop, you may be a good candidate for OB.
If you are interested in L/D, may I suggest you mosey on over to the OB/GYN forums, read what is there and ask anything you have that comes to mind.
There days in L/D when I wish I had waist/hip waders and a mop ----it is that messy . And, yes, we do wipe butts during and after labor---its not possible to push only a baby and no stool (if its there). But it's so rewarding, I don't mind the messes.
If you're really concerned with avoiding poop and butt wiping, maybe nursing isn't for you. Even if you find some sort of nursing that avoids it, in nursing school, you're going to do a lot of that.
If you don't mind baby changing, love babies and want to avoid adult poop, I recommend working in the nursery or postpartum. In postpartum you're going to have to inspect a lot of lady partss though, and help moms change their bloody pads. Every considered being a NICU nurse? Not much poop there.
Melissa
Hey.. I'm in Canada too. Although with the pre-reqs.. I haven't really taken them in high school which is why I think I might have to do a chemistry course.
So in overall, ALL areas of nursing deal with butt wiping? even Labor and Delivery? like I dont mind baby changing.
If you don't mind baby changing, love babies and want to avoid adult poop, I recommend working in the nursery or postpartum. In postpartum you're going to have to inspect a lot of lady partss though, and help moms change their bloody pads. Every considered being a NICU nurse? Not much poop there.
I get offended when people suggest going to NICU just to avoid poop. I mean, come on! We deal with very sick and dying babies. We are not just some sort of princess specialty. Yet anytime someone wants an "easy" specialty with no lifting and no poop everyone says - hey go to the NICU. I find it disrespectful of what we do in our unit. As a matter of fact, if a new grad comes in to interview with our manager and gushes about "loving babies" - the interview is pretty much over right there. There is so much more to NICU than loving babies and getting out of the "undesirable" aspects of adult med/surg. Sorry for the rant, but you really touched a nerve there.
I was kind of being sarcastic. I actually started to post different, much ruder response than changed it. I can't imagine anyone going into nursing who is hoping to avoid poop.
I apologize for offending you. Of course what you do is TREMENDOUSLY important. To be honest, I doubt if this poster could make it through nursing school if she can't deal with poop, let alone train for the NICU
Melissa
I get offended when people suggest going to NICU just to avoid poop. I mean, come on! We deal with very sick and dying babies. We are not just some sort of princess specialty. Yet anytime someone wants an "easy" specialty with no lifting and no poop everyone says - hey go to the NICU. I find it disrespectful of what we do in our unit. As a matter of fact, if a new grad comes in to interview with our manager and gushes about "loving babies" - the interview is pretty much over right there. There is so much more to NICU than loving babies and getting out of the "undesirable" aspects of adult med/surg. Sorry for the rant, but you really touched a nerve there.
I was kind of being sarcastic. I actually started to post different, much ruder response than changed it. I can't imagine anyone going into nursing who is hoping to avoid poop.
I apologize for offending you. Of course what you do is TREMENDOUSLY important. To be honest, I doubt if this poster could make it through nursing school if she can't deal with poop, let alone train for the NICU
Melissa
Thanks for clarifying and sorry about the misunderstanding. It has become a reflex, partly because I have encountered many people (a lot of them right here on these boards) who actually did go into nursing hoping to avoid poop, or lifting, or work altogether and there always seems to be someone who comes along and says "well maybe you should be a NICU nurse". Ugh!!
If it were not so sad, the mantra would be amusing I suppose -
* I have a bad back ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to lift anything ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to clean up people, but I wouldn't mind changing a baby ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to do any work of any sort. I want to be paid for clocking in and breathing ----- be a NICU nurse and be sure to get on the night shift (ok, I know I'm exaggerating a little here...but not much!)
I have encountered nurses IRL who chose NICU to get a "princess" job and, to be frank, they SUCK! And it really gets to me because the babies deserve SO much better.
I'm no labor or delivery nurse but I think it's safe to say there's some 'butt wiping' going on !
Epidurals....no sensation below the waist...etc. And all that pushing can usually insure a nice flow of "soft serve ice cream type" poop from mom. Guess who gets to clean that up. :rotfl: (I'm loving this)
As for highschool...you need your 4U Bio, 4U Eng, 4U chem, 3M or 4U mathematics/functions. At least here you do. I'm in Ontario. Not sure about you.
Z
Hey thanks...I am in Ontario.. Toronto. I'm only missing my Chemisty. I did bio first year in University so I'm hoping they'll accept that b/c I dont' have the high school one. I have Math and English.
Adn the poop thing, I guess it's something getting used to. although I'm thinking of going into Anesthetic thereafter if not straight.
I was kind of being sarcastic. I actually started to post different, much ruder response than changed it. I can't imagine anyone going into nursing who is hoping to avoid poop.
I apologize for offending you. Of course what you do is TREMENDOUSLY important. To be honest, I doubt if this poster could make it through nursing school if she can't deal with poop, let alone train for the NICU
Melissa
It's not that I can't deal with it. I can get used to it. I'm asking questions to find out information as to which nurses daily duties I would like. Of course in the beginning I will do dirty work. However, we all have our do's and don'ts in life. Afterall, you didn't go into nursing because you love even like cleaning poop, you went because it's a rewarding profession, great pay, and benefits, you work 3 days a week and have 4 off (but i guess those shifts are different for everyone).
Thanks for clarifying and sorry about the misunderstanding. It has become a reflex, partly because I have encountered many people (a lot of them right here on these boards) who actually did go into nursing hoping to avoid poop, or lifting, or work altogether and there always seems to be someone who comes along and says "well maybe you should be a NICU nurse". Ugh!!
If it were not so sad, the mantra would be amusing I suppose -
* I have a bad back ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to lift anything ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to clean up people, but I wouldn't mind changing a baby ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to do any work of any sort. I want to be paid for clocking in and breathing ----- be a NICU nurse and be sure to get on the night shift (ok, I know I'm exaggerating a little here...but not much!)
I have encountered nurses IRL who chose NICU to get a "princess" job and, to be frank, they SUCK! And it really gets to me because the babies deserve SO much better.
Thanks for understanding.
You're right, the babies deserve SO SO SO much better than that. I've had two babies in the NICU. One was born in March 2004 at 24w2d, and although he did well at first, died from a Grade IV IVH. It was horrible, but he had a wonderful nurse and neonatologist, both of whom I consider friends today. Had they been the type looking for a "princess" job, they would have made our last few moments with our son even harder than they already were. My second son was born in February 2005 at 28 weeks. He had a bit of a rough go, but is now doing pretty well overall.
Most of the nurses were wonderful, and I can't begin to thank those of you who are NICU nurses enough. NICU nurses have a HUGE impact on the way the parents deal with the incredible stress of having a baby in the NICU and the various problems these babies have to face. I personally think in some ways that it's harder to be a NICU nurse than to be a nurse in other areas, if for no other reason than babies just aren't supposed to have to face such adversity. There is something profoundly unfair (for lack of better words) about a child having to struggle so hard, having to be so ill, having to face lifelong problems... Ask most people and they'll tell you that the birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous time, and when they picture a baby, they picture a sweet, chubby little thing with pink cheeks. (Even if they do cry quite a bit!) I know all too well that that picture isn't reality for far too many families.
I feel so incredibly blessed and fortunate that I was able to bring my son home. We weren't so lucky the first time, and there are far too many who have had to face the loss of a child. I give major credit to the nurses who are able to do this job and do it well. That isn't to say that nurses in other areas aren't doing a fantastic job as well! I just have personal experience with the NICU and how difficult a place it can be.
I'm starting nursing school soon and hope that I'm one of the ones who can handle the NICU and do the babies justice. :)
Now that I've gone off on another tangent, to the original poster, good luck in whatever you decide to do!
NurseKatrina you and I have similar stories. I graduated with a bachelor's in business after knowing by my junior year business was not where I wanted to be. I was interested in healthcare going into school but somehow had the false notion in my head that I was "bad at science" and thus avoided it initially. After graudation I got a finance job that I was qualified for only to have it verified a desk job is not what I am cut out for. Fortunately, my desk job is such that I am not required overtime and I have been able to put in nearly 40 hours of prerequisites at night. I will be starting a BSN program this fall. Its a daunting decision coming from our areas that are very different from healthcare jobs. Is a dislike for your current job really enough of an indicator that nursing is for you? I doubted it, and started taking the pre reqs to see how I would do. I also started volunteering at area hospitals, and I talked to as many nurses as I could. Tell me the real stories. Tell me the good, bad and ugly. Why did you go into it, and is that why you still do it. After all that and a lot of soul searching I still felt this was the direction I should head in.
It's not that I can't deal with it. I can get used to it. I'm asking questions to find out information as to which nurses daily duties I would like. Of course in the beginning I will do dirty work. However, we all have our do's and don'ts in life. Afterall, you didn't go into nursing because you love even like cleaning poop, you went because it's a rewarding profession, great pay, and benefits, you work 3 days a week and have 4 off (but i guess those shifts are different for everyone).
I was also going to say though, with all due respect, and I have no idea what you are coming from, but I could stay in my current industry and get great pay and benefits. I had to know for myself what I'd be willing to do if the benefits and compensation were equal, what would I get more out of, feel more challenged at, etc. Maybe thats a personal question too, because someone in sales would probably say that compensation drives them to do their job. Again, best of luck in whatever you decide! :)
Thanks for clarifying and sorry about the misunderstanding. It has become a reflex, partly because I have encountered many people (a lot of them right here on these boards) who actually did go into nursing hoping to avoid poop, or lifting, or work altogether and there always seems to be someone who comes along and says "well maybe you should be a NICU nurse". Ugh!!
If it were not so sad, the mantra would be amusing I suppose -
* I have a bad back ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to lift anything ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to clean up people, but I wouldn't mind changing a baby ----- be a NICU nurse
* I don't want to do any work of any sort. I want to be paid for clocking in and breathing ----- be a NICU nurse and be sure to get on the night shift (ok, I know I'm exaggerating a little here...but not much!)
I have encountered nurses IRL who chose NICU to get a "princess" job and, to be frank, they SUCK! And it really gets to me because the babies deserve SO much better.
Thanks for understanding.
Oh God, that's horrible.
NICU is the last place I personally want to work - because I know my heart is way, WAAAAYYY too sensitive. Children dying is one thing - but a tiny baby, fighting to live, to even be permitted a chance? No thanks.
I think you all are AMAZING folks. I'm just not tough enough for that. And if (God forbid) I EVER need you - I'll be even MORE glad you're there.
NurseKatrina you and I have similar stories. I graduated with a bachelor's in business after knowing by my junior year business was not where I wanted to be. I was interested in healthcare going into school but somehow had the false notion in my head that I was "bad at science" and thus avoided it initially. After graudation I got a finance job that I was qualified for only to have it verified a desk job is not what I am cut out for. Fortunately, my desk job is such that I am not required overtime and I have been able to put in nearly 40 hours of prerequisites at night. I will be starting a BSN program this fall. Its a daunting decision coming from our areas that are very different from healthcare jobs. Is a dislike for your current job really enough of an indicator that nursing is for you? I doubted it, and started taking the pre reqs to see how I would do. I also started volunteering at area hospitals, and I talked to as many nurses as I could. Tell me the real stories. Tell me the good, bad and ugly. Why did you go into it, and is that why you still do it. After all that and a lot of soul searching I still felt this was the direction I should head in.
Best of luck to you.
Hey - I'm a cube rat, too! And I HATE it.
Can't WAIT to go back to school and get this show on the road!
I just have personal experience with the NICU and how difficult a place it can be. 
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SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
L/D is not "easy nursing work" and it does get nasty----very nasty---- as others mentioned. If you can handle lots of blood spills/spatters and yes, some poop, you may be a good candidate for OB.
If you are interested in L/D, may I suggest you mosey on over to the OB/GYN forums, read what is there and ask anything you have that comes to mind.
There days in L/D when I wish I had waist/hip waders and a mop ----it is that messy . And, yes, we do wipe butts during and after labor---its not possible to push only a baby and no stool (if its there). But it's so rewarding, I don't mind the messes.
Welcome to allnurses!