How to tell if nursing is for me?

[bigcanoe]

Hey guys,

I a 42 year old male. I have been a computer programmer for the last 20 years. I am thinking of doing something completely different for the next 20. I have narrowed down my field of interest, and nursing is in the top two. I like the idea of helping people, more social interaction, and the technical aspect of the job. Do you think that taking a feeler course, or volunteering at a hospital would give me a better feel for what the job entails and what the work environment might be like?

I appreciate any advice!

[Aberdeen]

In my opinion anything that will give you exposure would be a good thing. I have heard of shadowing programs that allow you to go in and follow someone around and they tell you all about what they do as a nurse. You might try calling some local hospitals or schools with nursing programs and see if they have anything that could help you make your decision. Good Luck.

[barlowjb]

I agree with Aberdeen. Getting any kind of exposure can only benefit you. I volunteered for 8 months (4 hrs per week) in an ER and that helped solidify my decision to take on nursing as a second career. I think most hospitals now have shadowing programs you can inquire about. Some hospitals actually advertise their shadowing program on their websites, so you could check that out.

Best wishes

[cupcake231]

Yes I also agree that any exposure will be helpful in making your decision. It is also important to understand how demanding nursing school is. For most people it is hard to work and go to nursing school at the same time, as well as balance other aspects of life (family, etc.). I think it is awesome you want to help people just make sure you understand the reality of a career in nursing. It is rewarding but demanding at the same time. Best of luck!

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm going to echo the posts of the other users, take some time to volunteer at a hospital and see what nurses actually do. If you can speak to the volunteer coordinator and see if you can actually shadow a few nurses and see what they say. Sometimes they might just say no and you will have to do something like transport patients and just passively watch the nurses or they may say yes and you get a chance to watch a few different nurses in action from different departments. After some observation and you determine if this is for you then you should consider becoming a CNA and try actually doing some of the tasks that nurses have to do for direct patient care, try looking around at a variety of settings to work besides just LTC (nursing homes and home health) because CNAs work in other settings besides just LTC and sometimes seeing the work that CNAs have to do in LTC can discourage them from becoming future nurses. That's where I would start if I was you, good luck!

!Chris

[laxxrickLPN]

Take a CNA class. That'll get you the most basic concepts in class, some clinical experience (probably in LTC), and if you decide its just not for you, at least you have a CNA license as a "fallback" career.

[Bob_N_VA]

I'm sorta in your boat, worked in IT for the last umpteen years and grew steadily tired of it. I have a few more years on you, but you are probably at a better age to start then I am. I didn't try the hospital volunteer route, but I have been living around a healthcare provider for quite a while so I don't think I have any overly rosy expectations that will get burst as soon as I have to wipe my first butt. I would say that you have to be pretty comfortable in your own skin, going into a mostly female environment (I'm the only guy in the class...). Start looking around for the programs in your area and bounce your ideas off friends and loved ones. Don't be surprised if they call you crazy either. Ultimately you have to know enough about yourself and how well you can work in a very different environment then IT. If you like hands on situations, this will suit you well.

You may need to go back to school for a couple of semesters to pick up the pre-reqs. Usually a semester of Micro and 1 or 2 of Anatomy. Taking those courses will introduce you back into school and test your mettle for this new career choice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Bob

[jetfuel]

Another former computer geek here. Twenty years in software development and system/network administration. Career fell apart; watched the Trauma ICU nurses care for my dying stepson, and knew all the times I had taken care of people through life were pointing me to a nursing career.

Getting some exposure in advance is always useful; but I think that a moment will come when you'll know for sure what you want to do, and you won't be satisfied doing anything else.

[asfreeasabird]

I took a lot of personality tests and found out early on I wanted to be a nurse. Several tests take into account the wish to help people but completly omit what we deal with. Some people think they would love to be nurses but can't get past the bodily fluids we deal with on a daily basis. How do you handle blood?

[K.P.A.]

Make sure you understand what it's going to take to get into a nursing program. Add up all the semesters you'll be in school. Compare this to pursuing a masters or PhD in your field. You'll be surprised.

[ItsTheDude]

take a cna class with clinicals, it's what the adn programs here use to help weed ppl out.

[LocoCocoaStudentNurs]

I think I know what you're going through. I'm just a few years older than you and in nearly the same boat. I think it's harder for men to feel sure that nursing is a suitable career - especially at our age and from the era we grew up. On one level, you feel the desire to give back to the community, to want to help people. But if you're anything like me, family and friends question whether you're cut from nursing material, are you empathetic enough, do you really have "the calling".

What solidified it for me was volunteering in the hospital. I started out in Transportation where we move patient to and from their rooms to testing labs on stretcher and in wheelchairs. It gave me an opportunity to converse with patients and nurses and get an overview of the hospital setting. Then I started volunteering in the ER where I've been allowed to observe actual patient care. The day after I held the little old lady's hand while the Dr. was suturing her lip was the same day I was able to tell my friends who said I didn't have the empathy to be a nurse to KISS MY ASS!

I'm nearly done with my nursing pre-reqs and I have no doubts that in addition to being a smart and organized nurse, I will also be caring and empathetic (when there's time)

Good Luck