I'm a college student who is extremely interested in becoming a RN but still have Q's

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Well, I am currently a college freshman/sophomore. I really don't know. Because I'm going into school with a lot of credits (AP Classes I received credit for). And I wasn't place in lower level advising. I was placed in upper level advising.

For the last few months I've definitely been trying to narrow down what exactly I want to do with my life. I was extremely interested with Criminal Justice, Accounting, Athletic Training, and Nursing. Yes, very different career paths but I like doing different things and seeing all my options.

I told my adviser that I will be doing Criminal Justice. However, a year or so ago, I was in the hospital because a family member of mine was sick. And I was helping this person out and just trying to comfort them. The nurse looked at me and said I should consider a career in nursing. And I never forgot that. I wanted to do Criminal Justice so I could help people. But I think at the end of the day, nursing would be the best choice for me.

So here are a few of my questions.

Would it be hard to get a job as a RN at a hospital? (Particularly in Florida) I would really love working at a hospital. Working as a school nurse would be cool too but I rather work at a hospital.

What kind of schedule would I have right when I'm starting off? I'm guessing grave yard shift. Which I don't mind since I am a night owl anyway. I prefer to work at night. Plus I'm guessing at a hospital, the job would never be boring.

I read somewhere that I'd start off as an assistant or something. I don't remember the exact wording.

Thank you so much for reading my question and taking the time to answer it!

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Specializes in LDRP.

I don't even start nursing school until the end of this month, so I'm not an expert on the questions you're asking, but I can tell you what I've been hearing and reading. Have you looked around this forum? You'll find A LOT of info about the topics you are asking about. Click on the Region tab and 'United States,' scroll down to the FL options, and you can find information about nursing in Florida, and also search for "new grad jobs" or something along those lines, and I guarantee you will find a TON of threads about new grad nurses seeking jobs.

It's good that you're open to working graveyard shifts because it seems that in most regions, especially in more populated areas, it is EXTREMELY competitive to get a job as a new grad nurse - I'm talking several thousand people applying for maybe just a few open positions. Thus, it would be a benefit to you to not be picky about your first job, and realize that you will likely be working a lot of weekends and night shifts. HOWEVER, who knows what will happen by the time you graduate? Hopefully the economy will have improved by then, but consider the fact that it may take you months (if not longer) to find a job as a new grad nurse. Hospitals tend to be the hardest places to get jobs, so maybe you should be open to working in LTC, or in a school as you mentioned...

Also, BEWARE, you'll find a lot of new grad RNs who are absolutely burned out from job-hunting and who may discourage you from entering nursing. While you should know the reality of the field you may be entering, if it truly does become your dream, then I say go for it!

Good luck in your future endeavors! :nurse:

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Thanks so much. Yeah, the economy is pretty much terrible. But I will figure things out. By the time I graduate, hopefully things will be much better. And even if they aren't, you can't give up hope.

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Specializes in Forensic/Psych/Surgical nurse.

GIRL do I have the career for YOU! :idea:

I wanted to do the Criminal Justice thing too, but as I was looking around at different Forensic Science/Criminal Justice degrees, I found Forensic Nursing! It is SO perfect! Well, I'm a little more interested in forensic science than criminal justice, but you might just love it! Most Forensic Nurses start out as Sexual assault examiners, but they can progress into deputy coroners or pathologist assistants or child abuse investigators...the possibilities are endless! Why settle for one, when you can do BOTH! :yeah:

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GIRL do I have the career for YOU! :idea:

Most Forensic Nurses start out as Sexual assault examiners, but they can progress into deputy coroners or pathologist assistants or child abuse investigators...the possibilities are endless!

Great post.

During nursing school last year, we were visited by a former sexual assault examination nurse. She gave an excellent presentation to us on what is involved in the job.

But her presentation was not what struck me. She was a former sexual assault examiner because she went through burnout on the job. I am so grateful that people can do this job, but I was alarmed at how it affected this wonderful person and her outlook on life. She did great work in helping send vile criminals to jail, but the amount of horror and tragedy she witnessed had profoundly affected her as a person.

It is difficult to describe what I saw in her, but one of my classmates summed it up, "If that is what that job does to you, I don't want to do it. I could not live in constant fear like that."

Please note I am not trying to discourage anyone from doing that job, in fact, we need good people to perform that task. I do a lot of Hospice and I love doing it. When people tell me, "I could NEVER do your job," I don't resent them at all. But it simply isn't for some people.

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Specializes in Forensic/Psych/Surgical nurse.

During nursing school last year, we were visited by a former sexual assault examination nurse. She gave an excellent presentation to us on what is involved in the job.

But her presentation was not what struck me. She was a former sexual assault examiner because she went through burnout on the job. I am so grateful that people can do this job, but I was alarmed at how it affected this wonderful person and her outlook on life. She did great work in helping send vile criminals to jail, but the amount of horror and tragedy she witnessed had profoundly affected her as a person.

It is difficult to describe what I saw in her, but one of my classmates summed it up, "If that is what that job does to you, I don't want to do it. I could not live in constant fear like that."

Hey thanks for sharing your experience! :redbeathe Yes, Forensic Nursing is not for everyone, and every career requires some sort of sacrifice, but for me (at least right now) it seems very much worth it.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.

It's good that you are giving a lot of thought to your future career. For me this is a 3rd or 4th career, but I'm just a bit older... Jobs will be there, though it may take a bit for you to get your foot in the door. The economy can't stay in the crapper forever, and in 3 or 4 years, it hopefully will be a very different story.

I'm in my second term of a hospital based diploma program. Its quite a challenge for everyone. If you decide on nursing, know that it won't be a cakewalk like some other programs may be. You won't be bored either. My only caution would be to really do some soul searching about why you want to do this job. Its not about money or job security, its about people. You have to want to put yourself out there for others. The rewards are intangible, a sense that you did make a difference, however small in somebody's life. And trust me, there are many other jobs out there that pay better, that will never give you that same sense of satisfaction. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in critical care nursing, ED, education.

It wouldn't hurt to talk with a nursing adviser at your school to get a better idea of what challenges academically you may or may not be up against. If you are an older or returning student there is often an issue with outdated classes not transferring. (our math and science could be no older than 5 years at time of admission.) also to get a feel for the time line of how much needs to be completed before you can even get started in a program. My nursing program is a 2 year ADN program. but the pre reqs to get in can not be accomplished in less than 3 semesters. It is a smaller school and some classes are only offered certain semesters.

Different schools will have a different path to your degree. I have seen some follow a path of CNA, to LPN, to RN/BSN. Others (like mine) are a straight to an RN program. Both have their + &-. like how early you might enter the workforce.

I would not let jobs and economy be too much of a deciding factor. Who knows what another couple of years will bring. One of the nurses I followed last semester told be that whenever she has wanted or needed a job in nursing, she has had one. It my not always be in your dream department, but there will always be a need for nurses. (long term care, home health, community health, Hospice, etc)

Hope you find some of the answers you are looking for. I will graduate in May and cannot wait to begin my career in nursing.

~Betsy

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Thanks so much to everyone for the amazing advice you've given me. I really do want to be a nurse. I have the desire to help people. And it's a job where I feel that 20 years from now, I wouldn't regret my choice. As for the Forensic Nursing...I don't think I'd be able to handle that. I know that must have impacted that woman in a way no one else can imagine. I don't want to live in that fear. But anyone who can do that job, gosh they deserve an award.

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