I am new here, not even a nurse yet.

[Steph in Boston]

Hi there,

I am a student in Boston, thinking of going down the road of becoming a nurse through a BSN program. Right now I am getting a BA in English. If you are a CNA , or were at one point, or are an RN, would you advise that I become a CNA before going to nursing school, in order to get experience in the field? There is a 4-week training program for CNA's here in Boston with the Red Cross, and I think it would be a good course to take, with 24 hours of clinical experience.

What have your experiences as a nurse been like? I have worked with people with mental illnesses for a few years now, and am curious about exploring phychiatric nursing. But I am also very curious about the CNM (certified nurse midwife) field. I do not have experience working in a hospital of any kind, but I think I would tend towards the less-traditional fields of nursing that would not have me working in a hospital. Is this a lofty ideal for someone starting off? I am also interested in massage therapy as a component of the care I would give to people.

I worked this summer in a transitional community for the mentally ill, which is based on a farm and steeped in community living. I am interested in doing more work in a similar setting.

Any suggestions for someone starting out at the beginning? What did you do? Where did you go to school? Are you glad you did it?

Thank you all so much,

Stephanie