Hope I am making the right decision

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Let me give you brief history. I have always thought I would like being a nurse because of the fast pace and the fact that you actually do physical work (Not just type on a computer all day which I do now) I am constantly fretting that I will be typing on this computer until I finally pass away-depressing. I decided not to major in nursing when I was in college and went with the business route which I now think was a mistake.

I am also a bit of a job jumper (usually sales). Not bragging, but I have always been a great employee but tend to get bored of doing the same thing after a while.

After a decade of realizing that striking it rich in sales is just a fantasy and that I hate my job, I took the plunge and went back to school. I start nursing school next year. I hope I have made the right decision after investing so much time and money. I do like helping people and I like the thought of learning some things that I am actually interested in. I think it will be cool to know how to save someones life and to actually learn valuable skills.

1. As stated, I like to change jobs fairly often. Is it (like I hear) fairly easy to change careers in nursing?

2. How hard is it to move up the pay chain? What I mean is if I do nursing for several years and become good at it, what jobs may open up with higher pay? Are there any? I want to master nursing but then I see myself wanting to move on and learn something new. Is this possible or is it just a fantasy of mine?

3. I like the idea of becoming a flight nurse at some time. I will be in my late 30's when I get out of nursing school. Is it possible for me to become a flight nurse or is it too late?

4. Any other job jumpers become nurses? Was it a good decision for you?

5. Can any of you compare your previous jobs to your current nursing jobs? Do you think you made the right decision?

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.

Ha, these are some of the exact things I've been thinking about too, right down to wanting to eventually move into evac flight nursing. I've changed my major from business to psychology to political science, and now nursing, but it's hard to tell exactly what you'll be getting into and if you'll like it for any period of time. It'll be nice to know that it's easy to move around and there's opportunity to go up. I'll be watching this one...

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

well if your goal is to make a lot of money forget nursing. Nurses are paid pretty well compared to others with the same amount of education. However, the job is stressful, sometimes dirty and can be exhausting. You might find there is not enough money anywhere to make you want to do the things we do.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hahahhaha my advice to you is find another major. You wanna do flight nursing? That's not something you just jump right into, and secondly, they don't get paid as much as you think. And you need to be a CCU/ICU/ER nurse for 3-5 years before they will even look at your resume as least for who i wanna work for they do. Good luck with your new major, nursing isn't for you. And to be honest, I'm sick of people deciding "Ohhh I'm going into nursing school" because they think they will get a job right out of school. HAHA WRONG. Go check out the forum and see people who haven't found jobs in like 2 years since they graduated. People think we get paid alot, and yea the money is good, but the emotional/physical/ and mental energy that you put in bears no cost. It's exhausting work to say the least. I'm a new nurse and while i graduated at the top of my class. I still feel like i dont know $***. Experience is what keeps your patients alive, no book can teach you that.

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Never mind...not worth even typing..lol.

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Well, one thing i can tell you is that depending on the facility you will be typing your little fingers to the bone documenting! But, alas you might do it all standing up.

So, your new job will be a combo of: :typing and, :barf02: cleanup. J/k

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I'm still in nursing school so I can't answer those questions for you.. but wow people are being very judgmental and rude in this thread. Who are you to tell someone, a complete stranger, that nursing isn't for them?

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.
I'm still in nursing school so I can't answer those questions for you.. but wow people are being very judgmental and rude in this thread. Who are you to tell someone, a complete stranger, that nursing isn't for them?

Agreed. The one in particular was plain inappropriate. First off, he said he would like to be a flight nurse at some time...not necessarily right out of school. Second, it sounds like you're the one that need to change what you're doing if your job is so bad. :( And wouldn't getting a job right out of school depend of the local market? Sure, not every single person is going to get a job, but I know many of the hospitals not only take new nurses, but reimburse them for their tuition. With your sarcasm and attitude, I'm surprised you have one at all. Take it easy, he's new and has questions, like I'm sure everybody did at some point; no need to crucify him.

The only useful thing out of that post was the experience needed for flight nursing, thank you.

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I was gonna post the same sort of reply. I agree with MaxAttack. I chose peace though. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Oh I'm sorry was it something I said ? Some people need a dose of reality. I've heard too many people say Oh I heard the money is good in nursing and blah blah blah, and I'm SICK OF IT. People think it's so easy and it's not and people should know that and if it makes people think twice then GOOD. This should be something you wanna do because YOU Wanna do it. It shouldn't matter what you get paid or how easy it is, if that's your motive for becoming a nurse then do go something else. I don't do what I do for the money, I don't do it for the fame. I do it because I enjoy it no matter how bad it may get sometimes. It's what wakes me up in the morning and gets me going. As long as I love what I'm doing IDC what i get paid. Money should be the last motive that just plain old SELFISH

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
Hahahhaha my advice to you is find another major. You wanna do flight nursing? That's not something you just jump right into, and secondly, they don't get paid as much as you think. And you need to be a CCU/ICU/ER nurse for 3-5 years before they will even look at your resume as least for who i wanna work for they do. Good luck with your new major, nursing isn't for you. And to be honest, I'm sick of people deciding "Ohhh I'm going into nursing school" because they think they will get a job right out of school. HAHA WRONG. Go check out the forum and see people who haven't found jobs in like 2 years since they graduated. People think we get paid alot, and yea the money is good, but the emotional/physical/ and mental energy that you put in bears no cost. It's exhausting work to say the least. I'm a new nurse and while i graduated at the top of my class. I still feel like i dont know $***. Experience is what keeps your patients alive, no book can teach you that.

Also, many medi-vac companies want 5 + years paramedic experience as well as the ICU/CCU/ER experience. I have friends who do this and had to make sure they had their ducks in a row, and of the 4, only 1 got hired as a flight nurse--jobs are far and few in between. Also, if you are looking for a "quick job" in this economy, do as EMTRN6785 suggested, read some posts. Not many jobs out there right now, especially if you don't already have 2-5 yrs RN experience. You will most likely start out working nights, and will definitely work weekends and holidays. Many hospitals on an indefinite hiring freeze. And if economy doesn't change around and depending on how healthcare options go, it may remain this way for a long time. Now, if you can overcome all of that, try shadowing at a hospital for a few shifts (I suggest more than 1 shift, because you can't get a real glimpse over just the 1 shift). Good luck in whatever your decision is, but think it through first, because nursing is not an "easy" job, and school can flat break you if you have family or social obligations-they will quickly fall to the wayside to keep up with school.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
Agreed. The one in particular was plain inappropriate. First off, he said he would like to be a flight nurse at some time...not necessarily right out of school. Second, it sounds like you're the one that need to change what you're doing if your job is so bad. :( And wouldn't getting a job right out of school depend of the local market? Sure, not every single person is going to get a job, but I know many of the hospitals not only take new nurses, but reimburse them for their tuition. With your sarcasm and attitude, I'm surprised you have one at all. Take it easy, he's new and has questions, like I'm sure everybody did at some point; no need to crucify him.

The only useful thing out of that post was the experience needed for flight nursing, thank you.

Max, where are these hospitals that are wanting to hire? I have about 16 previous students that are willing to move that need jobs. Obviously, the area where I am isn't hiring period. Please tell the location and hospital so that I can pass on that info! Thank you....

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