I need a career advice...pls. help

jjjoy, LPN · Mar 3, 2007

It's a real catch-22 when you don't know what you want but you can't find out what it's really like until you've invested heavily in it. The best I can think to offer you some food for thought is how do you feel about working with computers all day, sitting much of the time? How do you feel about being on your feet all day (or all night?)? How do you feel about working alone much of the time? How do you feel about interacting with people, maybe sick, cranky people or harried, stressed colleagues? How do you feel about uninterrupted, focused work? How do you feel about working with interruptions and quickly changing priorities? Guess which questions relate to most computer jobs. Guess which questions relate to most nursing jobs.

humming_bird · Mar 3, 2007

You'll never have to say "I wish I had done it". I suggest you do some calling (nursing schools, technical schools) or volunteer at the local hospital just to get firsthand experience. What I discovered was that nursing has so many branches and specialties that you can go into once you get the basic education. Just start off with the basics of college, and hopefully you will know then what you really want. At least you'll have the core requirements for any field. I know of RN-computer whizzes, who design programs to capture data much needed in nursing administration/infomatics. Public Health nursing is great if you like to work with infants, elderly, families, communities and collaborate with social and government agencies. I enjoyed public health nursing tremendously, but also paid my dues in the hospitals. Hospital nursing gives you the experience you need to venture out in other areas. Like any job, there's always a risk that you won't like it, but how will you know if you never try? Good luck!

jtanga · Mar 3, 2007

Right now my eyes is really into nursing...but something is really bothering me...I heard its kinda dirty job....is it true?what about the salary?..is the salary good?...i heard most of RN is working 12 hrs. a day 3x a week plus 2 day part time job thats the reason why they are making a lot of money.

humming_bird · Mar 3, 2007

Salary depends where you live, your degree (RN or LPN), your area of specialty. Salaries may run the gamut...$15/hr to 60,000 -100,000 a year. I'm not speaking in exact terms and for all the nurses, just from my own experiences and areas I worked.

As for "dirty work"? It all depends on you and what you consider dirty. When I first started my mom could not believe what I endured--cleaning bedpans, changing diapers, etc, etc, especially because I was so "picky" and dainty when I was little. I think one becomes a little desensitized.

jtanga · Mar 3, 2007

Um this cleaning bedpans, changing diapers, etc...do you guys always do that in everyday basis?Is it true cna usually do the dirty jobs and sometimes nurse just help them?