How did you choose your Career in Nursing?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

As usual, I am going to be very straigntforward when I declare that nursing is NOT my passion. I'd define a passion as something with which you could not live without. In other words, a person's passion is something that makes his or her life worth living. Since I'd be just as pleased and content doing something other than nursing, I can comfortably state that nursing is not my passion.

With that being said, I selected nursing as a career field for the stability, earning potential, advancement opportunities, versatility, and flexible scheduling. With my 2 years of postsecondary education, I earn more than many people who have BA and MA degrees in lower-paying majors such as sculpture, English, humanities, philosophy, sociology, fine arts, human ecology, classics, and creative writing.

HealthyRN · Sep 10, 2007

I agree with the above poster about nursing not being my passion or "calling". I didn't always know that I wanted to be a nurse, although I was always attracted to the "medical" field in general. I chose nursing based on the job opportunities, salary, and educational advancement options. I didn't want to be a nurse as much as I wanted to be a nurse practitioner, which is what I am now pursuing.

As far as your decision, can you see yourself enjoying a direct patient care position? If so, explore the numerous possibilities and not just nursing. There are a lot of other options out there. I'm not trying to discourage you from nursing, but just make sure that is what you really want to do.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

When I was growing up, I never thought that I would become an RN. Truth be told, I was more inclined towards medical school. I thought that nursing was less intellectually demanding and not challenging enough (boy, was I wrong!).

Somewhere along the way I realized that being in the nursing field would help me to reach my career goals. I was torn between my interests in basic science, research, patient care and public health. Nursing is the one field that encompasses all of these interests. I was able to attend school part-time while continuing to work, an option that is not available to PAs, MDs or basic science PhD candidates. I am afforded to ability to change specialties without returning to school. I can become an advanced practice nurse (which I am doing), an administrator, a research nurse, a PhD, a university-level instructor and more. I will be employable no matter what level of education I achieve, and my salary will make all of the time and money spent on schooling worthwhile to some degree (as opposed to MPH or basic science PhD researchers, who make about as much as staff RNs in a good year).

Finally, I genuinely like people (most days), and the positive interactions I have with my patients and their parents keep me going even on tough days.

JasonCocchiola · Sep 10, 2007

I agree with the above poster about nursing not being my passion or "calling". I didn't always know that I wanted to be a nurse, although I was always attracted to the "medical" field in general. I chose nursing based on the job opportunities, salary, and educational advancement options. I didn't want to be a nurse as much as I wanted to be a nurse practitioner, which is what I am now pursuing.
As far as your decision, can you see yourself enjoying a direct patient care position? If so, explore the numerous possibilities and not just nursing. There are a lot of other options out there. I'm not trying to discourage you from nursing, but just make sure that is what you really want to do.

I am also looking into Respitory, X-Ray tech. I have an appointment at Meric tomorrow (I have bad things about Meric), but I will go and see what they have to say and the programs they have to offer.

Thanks for your honesty...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

I am also looking into Respitory, X-Ray tech. I have an appointment at Meric tomorrow (I have bad things about Meric), but I will go and see what they have to say and the programs they have to offer.
Thanks for your honesty...

Are you referring to the Maric College that is located in San Diego? They are one of the most pricey schools in existence, and the credits earned do not transfer, so please be cautious.

Their RN program is $60,000. Their LVN program is $35,000. Their other allied health programs are in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

i chose nursing because it involves being on your feet part of the time and sitting still some of the time...or vice versa depending how your shift goes if you get my drift! i chose nursing for it encompasses diverse fields of interest under one scope of practice. i chose nursing because i did well in trigonmetry and figured later in life at 37 i could champion chemistry and did with a c+ ! ! i chose nursing because it feels better to be involved in the care of others than selling shoes to people that may not have that need really, we americans are so spoiled! i chose nursing because i too wanted stability in my career choice, but really i'm beginning to see the light; there is an art to nursing and i think i am at that point in may career where science and the dimension of one's personality merge. i could go on, but others most certainly will want to chime in on this thread.

JasonCocchiola · Sep 10, 2007

Are you referring to the Maric College that is located in San Diego? They are one of the most pricey schools in existence, and the credits earned do not transfer, so please be cautious.
Their RN program is $60,000. Their LVN program is $35,000. Their other allied health programs are in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

WOW, their prices really went up. I went there about 3 years ago to inquire about their nursing program and then it was about 35,000. I wonder if there are other schools, I will do some research.

Thanks!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Sep 10, 2007

Hi, Jason,

I was in IT for 25 years. With outsourcing and downsizing, it is a tenuous job field, to say the least.

Nursing has its challenges, to be sure.

I'm sure you have read about the challenges elsewhere.

Xray tech/MRI tech might be a good field.

Good luck!

Oldiebutgoodie

JasonCocchiola · Sep 10, 2007

I also need to take into consideration, I have moderate Arthritis. I'm not sure how much of a beating my body will take being a nurse?

JasonCocchiola · Sep 10, 2007

Hi, Jason,
I was in IT for 25 years. With outsourcing and downsizing, it is a tenuous job field, to say the least.
Nursing has its challenges, to be sure.
I'm sure you have read about the challenges elsewhere.
Xray tech/MRI tech might be a good field.
Good luck!
Oldiebutgoodie

I have a read a few of the challenges, I might need to read some more though?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

I also need to take into consideration, I have moderate Arthritis. I'm not sure how much of a beating my body will take being a nurse?

Bedside nursing can be rather physical. While there are nursing desk jobs, the bedside is where nurses are needed the most. Also, you need to do your time in the trenches at the bedside for several years before you can even think about applying for a desk job, as the more 'sedentary' nursing jobs require clinical experience.

You can avoid getting physical as a bedside nurse by attempting to get the CNAs to complete your patient turns, repositioning, lifting, toileting, and bathing. I know of many nurses who will not answer a call light. However, nobody wants to be the type of nurse who spends 30 minutes looking for a CNA to take a patient to the bathroom when you have the time to do it yourself.

I have an L4/L5 injury that results in low back pain and sciatica. However, I have been able to handle the physical aspects of the bedside.