Important , please read

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2016

I am of need of help. For the past year I have been stressing as to whether I should become an rn, fnp, pa or crna. I have read many threads online, but nothing has directly answerd my question. I am 18 years old and im getting my bsn starting this fall. I have a type-A personality, and I literally freak out when I dont know where im going and where Im set to be.
Moving forward, I am book smart, but im not hands on smart. I have my stna, but I got A's on all my test, while the hands on stuff took so much practice to grasp and understand. Eventually i got it, but still a lot of it took time. From there I questioned if nursing was for me. But the thing is I still think its for me? Every time my dad has a back ache, or my friend stomach is hurting... my mind goes into "diagnoses" mode and i just love the feeling of figuring out what is wrong. I know what youre thinking, maybe I should become a doctor. Well, I wanted to be one at first, but the thing is i'm not the most confident person and don't want autonomy. I'm the type of person to look up to another person for guidance. Thats why I wanted to be either a CRNA , PA, or FNP. I would be more than a bedside nurse (so not as much hands on) & I wont be a doctor so the desion making wont be all on me. Or maybe I should be a PA? What do you guys suggest that'll fit my personality best? I plan to do some job shawdowing eventually. Thankyou & sorry for any mispelled/ grammar errors i was in a rush.

No, that's not what I'm thinking. I think you need to calm down a little or even a lot (possibly with some sessions with a therapist) and just be an 18 year old on your way to your first year of college. There is no need to (and it actually is impossible to) plan your entire career at the age of 18. Life happens, and life is out of your control for the most part.

So chill. Enjoy your first year. See where your interests and aptitudes lie. You have some pre-conceived notions that are just plain wrong. Those things will become apparent to you over time, with maturity.

oceanblue52 · Jul 27, 2016

You would definitely benefit from job shadowing to see what the different roles entail. All of these jobs are going to require hands on skills. Some people are naturals and pick these skills up quickly, and some require a lot of practice and hard work to get better. A PA and a NP both operate under different models, try a Google search to learn more about that. A CRNA requires at least a year of critical care experience nursing experience, which would obviously require a good degree of confidence in your skill set.

If you are starting school soon, I would recommend talking to your advisors, maybe get some shadow/volunteer/work experience under your belt before declaring a major. Nursing assistant work is about the best experience you can get to closely working with the nursing profession. Some teaching hospitals have opportunities to shadow professionals, but you would likely have to do a little networking to set this up. Ask family and friends if they know anyone in these professions.

Nursing is a tough field and not everyone is suited for it. Also, increased confidence in yourself also comes with age and experience. Its good to self evaluate and figure out your weaknesses, but recognize that these will change with time, and should not necessarily decide a career this early in life. Good luck to you.

AnthonyD · Jul 28, 2016

Have you thought about going into research? You could work towards your PhD, which would fit your strength of book-smarts and not require as much of the "hands on." There is quite a lot you can do with an advanced degree in nursing that doesn't require you to be a provider, like a CRNA or NP (which both practice with a lot of autonomy).

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2016

For the past year I have been stressing as to whether I should become an rn, fnp, pa or crna.

Whatever you decide, please be cognizant that you will need to become an RN before you can ever be a FNP or CRNA. However, becoming a nurse is unnecessary if you select the PA poute.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jul 28, 2016

The reasons you listed for not being a doctor would also preclude being a PA, FNP, or CRNA. Each of those roles has a degree of autonomy and directs the care of a patient. Also, nurses don't diagnose. We do use critical thinking to recognize problems and intervene.

Er Um, actually we DO diagnose. We don't make medical diagnoses, we make nursing diagnoses. That's actually the core of nursing practice and clinical reasoning.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2016

It's too soon to know if you should pursue other options. You need to get an RN job and get the basics down and go from there. CRNA requires both book and hands on skills. You have to master the basics first including putting IV's in. Most CRNAs have ICU experience, but I don't recommend starting in ICU unless you have extra experience such as an intern/extern and felt it was for you.

Finish your BSN, get a job, get experience and then make your decision. You never know what the future holds you may decide to stay an RN. CRNA vs FNP are two very different programs. Your interest in diagnoses and problem solving leans more toward FNP, but there is no rush, most places want a year or two of experience.

As for PA that makes no sense since you are taking the RN track. PA's and FNP's do basically the same thing, but take a different learning route. Truthfully FNP's generally have more independence and even prescribing priviliges but this depends on the state you work in. Also there are much more FNP programs than PA programs. So why not pursue the logical choice, FNP, if and when it's right for you!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2016

Er Um, actually we DO diagnose. We don't make medical diagnoses, we make nursing diagnoses. That's actually the core of nursing practice and clinical reasoning.

Well we don't officially do medical diagnoses, but in practical reality we do it all the time in nursing practice when we analyze our patients symptoms and need to call the Dr re a change in status or need for new treatment! We just don't get credit for it!

Katrina RN · Jul 29, 2016

Hello,

I am seeking feedback regarding my current situation. I am a 50 year old woman who just got out of a domestic violence situation a year ago. The violence was profound and lasted for many years, during which time, my life was just too chaotic and dysfunctional to be able to hold down a job. I also slipped into a serious depression, ironically AFTER I got out of the violence situation. So over the past year, I have been receiving treatment in the form of therapy and medication, to overcome the depression and trauma, as best as I am able to do. In the meantime, I havent worked since 2008 but I do have 14 years experience as a cardiac nurse prior to that. I am now faced with the daunting tasks of getting a divorce, selling a home, finding a new home, empty nesting and having to re-enter the work force ASAP in order to survive. The problem is that its been so long since Ive worked, and Ive been through so much in the years since then, that I have lost all my confidence and even a sense of direction as to what type of nursing I should even get into. I have always kept my license active, no lapses, and its in good standing. I just dont have a clue what to do with it at this point. Ive been searching on line and off, for some sort of vocational rehab/career counseling that is specific to nurses. I have no idea where to begin searching for a job online (the last job I had was 10 years at the same place and things have changed in the world of job hunting since then), I have no idea what kind of nursing would be best for me at this point in my life and Im struggling to gain some semblance of confidence to just get the ball rolling. Im wondering if anyone has any thoughts, advice or direction to offer, as to resources where I might find this type of career counseling. Im also interested in suggestions as to areas of nursing practice that are in demand right now, that might be "outside the box" of acute care/in patient nursing that everyone automatically associates the profession with. Im thinking there must be many different kinds of nurses, and nursing jobs, that Ive never heard of or considered before, that might be better options for me now, at this point in my life. I feel certain I cant return to critical care at this point and just lost as to where to go from here. Thank you all for your time in reading this and for any thoughts you might have to offer.

Katrina RN · Jul 29, 2016

I am sorry....I meant to post a request for help and I posted it within someone elses thread.

oceanblue52 · Jul 31, 2016

PKatrina RN, it is okay, this website can take a little getting used to. Try reposting under the "General Nursing Discussion" thread and see if that gets you more replies. Stay strong and I wish all the best for you.