Hello, everyone. I'm a 23 year old male, I haven't found my calling in life just yet, but I know I am sick of working dead end jobs and thats not what I want for my future. I have thought for many many hours at what I could possibly call a career and be happy with and one thing keeps coming back to mind and that is working in the medical field and helping others. I do have a few questions though.
1. Should I pursue a degree as a medical assistant for now, or go straight for RN
2. If I were to become a registered nurse, is it possible to get jobs such as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant or other if I can not find a job as a registered nurse right away?
That is actually all i have for now, i'm trying to decide which path to take, and I want to start within the next year. Thank you!
I can only add a little to the great advice you have already obtained.
I will say Nursing is a job, not a calling. The "Angel of Mercy" gig is over-rated.
Don't go too far out of your comfort zone and try to make yourself like something that just ain't in you. You will have to work well with others and show restraint.
If you generally like: working with people, all kinds of people, sciency things, physical activity, working indoors, nights, weekends, holidays, having responsibility, taking direction, earning middle class income, then Nursing might be for you.
I was attracted to the sciency stuff, essential nature (being needed / job security), clean, climate controlled environment, ability to have a job practically anywhere in the world (certainly in the United States, so I could travel) and pretty good money.
Hey, we guys are at best 10% of the nursing population so you would be in the minority but not the rarity we once were.
I appreciate all the great advice everyone. I looked up duties, work environment and outlook for each individual job type from many different websites on the internet. I didn't mean to offend anyone with the medial assistant info, but from what I read, that is how they chalk it up as. The more I look into medical assistant, it leans more towards the tech side of medicine, which I am actually interested in (I considered a degree in computer science, but thats really just not me) So in that case, I would lean towards med assistant a little more than an RN.
My aunt works as an RN, so I did want to talk to her about it, she really does seem to enjoy her job, and has been doing it her whole life.
I think working as a CNA would be a great start, its not a lot of money or time invested to get certified, it would give me a good look into what I would be dealing with, and i know it would look good on my resume. Even if i did it part time, or volunteered to help if I couldn't find something part time.
I have worked a very high task job since I graduated high school, and I rarely get to speak to customers or help them. But when i do, I feel so much gratification and actually feel fulfilled for once. I need a job where I actually get to interact with others, help others, even if it is high task, I need that fulfillment from interaction. I have always wanted to do something either helping animals or helping people. I really looked into the vet field, but from what I have seen and heard from some people, you better absolutely love animals, because you basically get treated and worked like crap, and the pay is very little. It requires basically the same amount of schooling as well as a registered nurse, and you make half the amount of money.
I am going to talk to my aunt, look into a cna certification and possibly call a hospital and talk to people in different positions to get an idea. I really think this is a good field for me, and so does everyone else I have brought it up to.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I would lean towards med assistant a little more than an RN.
I completed a medical assisting program many years ago and was unable to ever find a job. The medical assistant program is the most graduated vocational training program in the US. This essentially means there are many MAs competing for a limited number of jobs. In addition, the pay is generally not high.
I appreciate all the great advice everyone. I looked up duties, work environment and outlook for each individual job type from many different websites on the internet. I didn't mean to offend anyone with the medial assistant info, but from what I read, that is how they chalk it up as. The more I look into medical assistant, it leans more towards the tech side of medicine, which I am actually interested in (I considered a degree in computer science, but thats really just not me) So in that case, I would lean towards med assistant a little more than an RN.
My aunt works as an RN, so I did want to talk to her about it, she really does seem to enjoy her job, and has been doing it her whole life.
I think working as a CNA would be a great start, its not a lot of money or time invested to get certified, it would give me a good look into what I would be dealing with, and i know it would look good on my resume. Even if i did it part time, or volunteered to help if I couldn't find something part time.
I have worked a very high task job since I graduated high school, and I rarely get to speak to customers or help them. But when i do, I feel so much gratification and actually feel fulfilled for once. I need a job where I actually get to interact with others, help others, even if it is high task, I need that fulfillment from interaction. I have always wanted to do something either helping animals or helping people. I really looked into the vet field, but from what I have seen and heard from some people, you better absolutely love animals, because you basically get treated and worked like crap, and the pay is very little. It requires basically the same amount of schooling as well as a registered nurse, and you make half the amount of money.
I am going to talk to my aunt, look into a cna certification and possibly call a hospital and talk to people in different positions to get an idea. I really think this is a good field for me, and so does everyone else I have brought it up to.
I don't want you to think that anyone is trying to talk you out of nursing as a career. We just want you to think and make informed decisions. We see people who come in here every day and just have no idea what it all involves. These are the same people that come in a couple of months later or a couple of years later, very far in debt and having tons of problems. They can't pass tests, hate clinical, or take the NCLEX for years and cannot pass. Many of them start out with Nursing is my passion, or Nursing is my dream!!!
I just want you to see the realities of nursing and make good decisions. I'm very glad to see you are going to go the cc route. That is what I am doing and that is in my opinion the best way to start. I also mentioned looking at the job postings to see what is hired in your area so you know where to go once you complete the prereqs.
Doing your own research and being informed will most certainly give you a heads up over other people. Good Luck in your journey and keep us posted!!
That depends on where you live. I work in Iowa and started out at $18.00 full benefit package and everything so it depends on where you live and work but then too I work in a specialty..
Everything is giving me really great advice. I can't say nursing is my dream or my passion, It has taken me a lot of think and considering to even get to this point. I just know that after much consideration I think the nursing field would be the most gratifying to me. I am a fairly smart person, just have trouble applying myself, I can think on my feet, I enjoy a fast paced work environment. Out of every possible field I have ever considered going into, the nursing field is the first one I can actually see myself fitting into, and enjoying the work. I know for a fact that I am tired of working a dead end job, I want a career.
PPs have all offered great advice. I would also encourage OP to take a look at other health care professions as well .... just in case things don't work out for nursing. Here is a great web site to start with.
Hey bro I was on the same boat as you I am 22 years old, I currently have an Associates in Criminal Justice lol, But when i was 19 I considered Nursing what stopped me was the presentations I would have to do I just get really nervous for them funny right but now im a little older and mature (not by much) but I feel like this is for me. I would look into doing some shadowing cause there are alot of fields, and 3 of my best friends are nurses so they're stories instead of making me not want to do it kinda made me interested in the field even more. Best of luck to you bruh !
Hello, everyone. I'm a 23 year old male, I haven't found my calling in life just yet, but I know I am sick of working dead end jobs and thats not what I want for my future. I have thought for many many hours at what I could possibly call a career and be happy with and one thing keeps coming back to mind and that is working in the medical field and helping others. I do have a few questions though.
1. Should I pursue a degree as a medical assistant for now, or go straight for RN
2. If I were to become a registered nurse, is it possible to get jobs such as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant or other if I can not find a job as a registered nurse right away?
That is actually all i have for now, i'm trying to decide which path to take, and I want to start within the next year. Thank you!
I chose the route to get my medical assisting degree to get my foot in the door. I finish with it Dec 18th and Will be finishing my pre reqs for nursing. My thought process was to get a job to help pay for school also. I feel like now that I have some medical background knowledge, for me ill be more successful on the test of my journey Now.
Starting as a CNA you really can solify your decision. You see everything nurses do and you find out what environments work best for you. I didn't like working in a nursing home but I liked the hospital.
Mavrick, BSN, RN
1,578 Posts
I can only add a little to the great advice you have already obtained.
I will say Nursing is a job, not a calling. The "Angel of Mercy" gig is over-rated.
Don't go too far out of your comfort zone and try to make yourself like something that just ain't in you. You will have to work well with others and show restraint.
If you generally like: working with people, all kinds of people, sciency things, physical activity, working indoors, nights, weekends, holidays, having responsibility, taking direction, earning middle class income, then Nursing might be for you.
I was attracted to the sciency stuff, essential nature (being needed / job security), clean, climate controlled environment, ability to have a job practically anywhere in the world (certainly in the United States, so I could travel) and pretty good money.
Hey, we guys are at best 10% of the nursing population so you would be in the minority but not the rarity we once were.