If You Knew Then What You Know Now

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If you knew then what you know now, would you still become a nurse? I am contemplating going into nursing, but I am 39 years old and am very discouraged reading these forums. Someone mentioned respiratory therapy as being a good option. What healthcare related field would you recommend? What would you go into (healthcare-wise) if you could do it again?

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What, specifically, is discouraging you?

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Specializes in AA&I, research,peds, radiation oncology.

YES!!! I only wish I'd done it sooner-as far as age wise!!! I've always dreamed of being a nurse since I was a little girl. Now I'm in my forties going for my ADN!!!

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Definitely, but I would've just specialized in pediatrics. I love that population.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

It's a tough call. I probably would, but I'd have gone in with a lot more realistic view of things, not the idealized version. Taking care of people is all I know how to do, really.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

If and that is a big if I stayed in healthcare it would only be as a NA or a nurse. I love nursing, but I hate what nursing has become. I feel that everyone is too busy kissing the patient's and family member's butts to take proper care of anyone. I feel that we are discouraged as nurses to tell the patient no and to draw boundaries when that is truely what the patient needs to become and remain healthy.

What the powers that be have yet to understand is that yes we are a service, but our service to the costomer is their health. Sometimes in order to be healthy as a person both mentally and physically someone has to tell you no and to mean it. Sometimes what the floor nurse needs in order to best help a patient is to be able to tell the patient no and to know that the managers and doctors will have their backs and tell the patient that what the patient wants is not always in their best interest.

Sorry if my post discourages you because I do not think that is my intention. I love being a nurse or else I would not feel passionately enough about to get upset when I know the way that things are ran are wrong. I believe that is the reason that a lot of nurse get so upset and discouraged about their job because they want to make a positive difference in people's lives. So please do not read the post where nurse are venting about thier jobs and get discouraged. Maybe look at the posts and think these people are passionate enough about their jobs to get upset about things when they are not right. Personally, I would rather work with a bunch of people that occassionally get upset with their jobs because that just means that they see where improvements need to be made.

Good luck

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Nope, I wouldn't. I'd have finished my master's program in Speech Pathology & Audiology..or become a surgical tech.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I just turned 40 and am currently a lpn waiting to take my rn boards. I wish I would have done it sooner, but no regrets!

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Specializes in ER.

No. I would have become either a radiology tech or a respiratory therapist. They make about the same as an RN in my area- giver or take a few bucks. However, they have waaaaaay less responsibility than I do. They deal with one patient at a time whereas I have can have 6+. I also wish I would have looked into speech therapy.

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If you knew then what you know now, would you still become a nurse? I am contemplating going into nursing, but I am 39 years old and am very discouraged reading these forums. Someone mentioned respiratory therapy as being a good option. What healthcare related field would you recommend? What would you go into (healthcare-wise) if you could do it again?

I started nursing school at 39, with 5 kids and a wonderful husband. I just turned 43 and have almost 18 months as an RN under my belt. It was one of the BEST decisions I ever made. The days are long but rewarding. I'm glad I did it later in life because I cam into with people skills, just needed the clinical skills. Go for it!

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Yes..I waited until 42 to become a nurse (due to life) and don't regret it for a day. It isn't easy, but worthwhile. The biggest problem I have is dealing with administrative BS - but that was the same when I worked in the corporate world. Really the same stuff that irks me now, irked me in any other job I had.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

YES i would. I have always always always known i was meant to b a nurse. so yea, i would do it all over! again.

& you mentioned that because of these forums you are getting discouraged, or are being discouraged. i have heard that before, but as i have also heard others reply- you need to understand why this forum is also here for nurses to bond, to b****, to vent, to destress. I bet if you did a pole, most ppl would redo it. and i dont think that if ppl were hating it so much, they would even bother coming for advice, ya know? So keep in mind just that, and if its what you want, DO IT, dont let the venting bother you. just know that when you need help or when you need a place to vent, we are there.

gl with whatever you decide.

-H-RN

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