Im lost all nurses read!!!

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Dec 8, 2009

I am a new grad, I have yet to be hired for my first job. When I do, I'm obviously the new kid on the block which means I get the short straw when it comes to weekends, holidays etc.

As with any job, there are aspects included that we don't like to do but it must be done. You can't just pick and choose. But you have to find a job in a setting that you like. You will have to be trained in "bringing people back to life" because suppose your patient who you are monitoring goes into cardiac arrest or shock.

erroridiot · Dec 8, 2009

ok so I have been been evaluating what I truly want which would make most nurses upset with me I suppose, What I truly want is to only have to work 3 days a week 12 hour day time shifts and some how make 40k - 50k a year and have full benafits, and preferably have friday, saturday and sunday off. I am only 17 right now so it might change in time as I grow and find myself more in the future, I like the idea of helping others (that line is probley overly used in the world) but I don't know if I really want to be working with blood and wounds and the dirty work and having to bring people back to life and such, I suppose I dont trust myself well enough because I never been in that type of situation and I dont know how I would respond to it, I would love to help sick people who do not really have injuries, I think monitoring patients sounds really really fun and cool because I like watching things but idk would I really make a good nurse? am I doing it for the wrong reasons? what do you guys think? is there other types of careers that work 3 12 hour shifts and get full benafits and 40k - 50k a year? give me some advice please :) constructive would be prefered, and dont sugar coat :)

Have you thought about:

Pharmacist

Dietician

Social Work

Reminisce · Dec 8, 2009

I am a new grad, I have yet to be hired for my first job. When I do, I'm obviously the new kid on the block which means I get the short straw when it comes to weekends, holidays etc.
As with any job, there are aspects included that we don't like to do but it must be done. You can't just pick and choose. But you have to find a job in a setting that you like. You will have to be trained in "bringing people back to life" because suppose your patient who you are monitoring goes into cardiac arrest or shock.

Thanks for your reply, I really do like the hospital enviorment just not so sure about the dirty work lol because as I said before I never been around it, I don't know what it would be like to be around it, I do want to help others though.

Reminisce · Dec 8, 2009

Have you thought about:
Pharmacist
Dietician
Social Work

arn't all of those 5 day a week jobs? I am not interested in working 5 days a week really.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2009

When you say "just not sure about the dirty work" are you talking about cleaning up poop, giving baths, etc. Because this is part of nursing, there are nurse techs but its the nurses responsibility that our pts are clean and some techs aren't there to do it. It's something a person gets use to. You will also be dealing with blood and wounds, no way around it if your going to be a nurse. I suggest you go to a hospital and observe for a few weeks. You can also work as a volunteer.

kbm318 · Dec 8, 2009

When you say "just not sure about the dirty work" are you talking about cleaning up poop, giving baths, etc. Because this is part of nursing, there are nurse techs but its the nurses responsibility that our pts are clean and some techs aren't there to do it. It's something a person gets use to. You will also be dealing with blood and wounds, no way around it if your going to be a nurse. I suggest you go to a hospital and observe for a few weeks. You can also work as a volunteer.

I completely agree with this although I will have to say I volunteer and can I don't really get to see much of anything other than entertaining people so that may not work to understand what is really done.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2009

I completely agree with this although I will have to say I volunteer and can I don't really get to see much of anything other than entertaining people so that may not work to understand what is really done.

yeah, you're right. Maybe she should work as a CNA, that way, you're right there in the midst of it all. If you can deal with the 'dirty' CNA work, then you can probably deal with it as a nurse. it would be a smart thing to do before investing $$ in nursing school. I Can tell you though, nursing is a very rewarding career in my opinion. I love it. Poop use to bother me at first, but now, it's not a problem at all.

SteffersRN87, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2009

I have a question for the original poster... Have you ever worked before? I do not mean that question in a bad way, at all. My best friend from nursing school never worked a day in her life (other than babysitting) until she graduated from nursing school. She did not adjust well to 12-hour shifts. On the other hand, I worked 4 or 5 days a week my senior year of high school and full time through nursing school. I work in the outpatient area and work 48 hours during my Monday through Friday week. If you are not used to working a lot, working full time (whether it be 3 12's or 5 8's) takes some getting used to.

On the "dirty" part... Poop, blood, and vomit are all part of nursing! You have to go through it all in nursing school in order to get to the end. You may find work in a doctor's office or as a public health nurse, but those are even 5 days a week.

hotnurse84 · Dec 8, 2009

nursing is dirty ...no way around that. nursing school is hard and you have to do a lot of dirty work to make it through and see a lot of nasty wounds. there are tons of options of careers that help people...think of your interests. you could think of a career where u are your own boss and make your own hours. but if you are still thinking of something in healthcare I believe receptionists and some unit clerks in hospitals work 12hr shifts but I doubt the pay is near 40k a yr....good luck

hotnurse84 · Dec 8, 2009

I forgot to add: occupational therapy maybe? or physical therapy?

Reminisce · Dec 8, 2009

I have a question for the original poster... Have you ever worked before? I do not mean that question in a bad way, at all. My best friend from nursing school never worked a day in her life (other than babysitting) until she graduated from nursing school. She did not adjust well to 12-hour shifts. On the other hand, I worked 4 or 5 days a week my senior year of high school and full time through nursing school. I work in the outpatient area and work 48 hours during my Monday through Friday week. If you are not used to working a lot, working full time (whether it be 3 12's or 5 8's) takes some getting used to.
On the "dirty" part... Poop, blood, and vomit are all part of nursing! You have to go through it all in nursing school in order to get to the end. You may find work in a doctor's office or as a public health nurse, but those are even 5 days a week.

yes I have and will be working when I move out as well I will have to work while in college (most likly full time) to support myself :)

yeah I understand about poop, blood, and vomit I think I will get used to it to, I didn't really say poop blood or vomit though I said (open wounds and injurys)