Need advice on nursing!! College student answer please !

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Hello everyone I'm new to this site and I need realistic and positive advice.I'm a freshman college student at queensborough community college in new York. Right now I'm taking basic courses like math English etc. I've been interested in nursing and some reasons are that you make good money and it's an area that are always looking for nurses. I don't have a passion for it, maybe I will if I shadow and get a taste of it. But I think as long as I make patients feel good and treat themRight, I have a sense of humor and I'm easy going that I could go for it. I know the nursing area is very competitive. But to me success is not easy and you have to work hard for and dedicate yourself, it's what you make outOf it. But I'm a little confused on which path to take. Right now I need to get into something and make some income cause right nowI can't work and go to school at the same time. I want toTry tO look into a year program or something less I'm just really confused and need some pointers. Should I just finish my basic courses at this community college and look into being a medical assistant so I could make some income and also get a taste of nursing? Should I look into being a phlebotomist? Or should I just finish my 2 years and become a lpn and then go for my RN? I don't want to go straight into being a RN becauseI'm not 100% sureAny nursing students who went through the same situation as I or have useful advice I would appreciate everyones feedback! Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Hello everyone I'm new to this site and I need realistic and positive advice.I'm a freshman college student at queensborough community college in new York. Right now I'm taking basic courses like math English etc. I've been interested in nursing and some reasons are that you make good money and it's an area that are always looking for nurses. I don't have a passion for it, maybe I will if I shadow and get a taste of it. But I think as long as I make patients feel good and treat themRight, I have a sense of humor and I'm easy going that I could go for it. I know the nursing area is very competitive. But to me success is not easy and you have to work hard for and dedicate yourself, it's what you make outOf it. But I'm a little confused on which path to take. Right now I need to get into something and make some income cause right nowI can't work and go to school at the same time. I want toTry tO look into a year program or something less I'm just really confused and need some pointers. Should I just finish my basic courses at this community college and look into being a medical assistant so I could make some income and also get a taste of nursing? Should I look into being a phlebotomist? Or should I just finish my 2 years and become a lpn and then go for my RN? I don't want to go straight into being a RN becauseI'm not 100% sureAny nursing students who went through the same situation as I or have useful

There is plenty advice on Allnurses about the lack of nursing jobs. Please check out your ability to get job in NYC area without BSN before you choose nursing.

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Many people work and go to school..but if you prefer not to..and are not sure about nursing, the best avenue would be to arrange to shadow a nurse for a shift or part of a shift, same for a nursing assistant or phlebotmist. Not sure by your post if you have a good idea of what any of them entail and to spend the time/money to get a certification or degree in something you are not at least close to 100% about is a waste for you. A nursing assistant and a medical assistant, at least in the state I live in, are not the same thing. I agree w/the above poster - look around this site and then see if you can't shadow someone before you go further. Good luck.

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you may also sign up to volunteer at your local hospital or nursing home. This will also give you an idea if you would enjoy working in a hospital environment.

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Specializes in MPCU.

I'm not clear as to what type of advise you want. Do you need to start making money in about a year? Otherwise, the best advice anyone gave me was to just complete the general education requirements.

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Hello, I think you just gave yourself the best advice…..shadow a nurse in different specialties. Call you pediatrician / doctor's office and ask if you can shadow the nurse for the day. This will give you a taste for ambulatory / pediatric nursing. Network with friends, colleagues, faculty and ask them if they know of nurses you could contact to shadow. I would encourage you to do the same for medical assisting and any other career. Don't let one day or a few hours make or break your decision. I advise you to keep taking college level courses in the sciences while you shadow others and I think this will help you in finding your niche. Best wishes!

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What I'm saying is that being right now I'm a full time student I don't have flexible hours. So therefore I can't fit a Job into my Schedule. It's not that I don't want to work I do but school comes first. So that's why I asked if anyone would know what I should go for, some say that being a medical assistant is a waste of time and money and LPNs aren't needed in most hospitals. I just want to know what program i could get Into that can give me experience and also some income while I keep working on a degree in nursing. I just dont want to waste time and money i am aware that it is besy to go for your BSN if you want to become a RN....Nobody is ever 100% what they want to do I'm college but at least I have an idea and hope that it works out for me. I'mWilling to work hard at anything I do.

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If you don't genuinely care about people and want to help them then don't become a nurse. There are plenty of careless nurses out there doing it for the money only and their patients miss out on good quality nursing care. If someone you loved was sick would you want someone like yourself caring for them? If so, then go for it! If not take a step back. It's ok if you aren't sure just take some time and think about that.

Don't get me wrong we all need to make a living and money and job opportunities are a reason I chose nursing but my number 1 reason is because I wanted a career where I could help people. I think it would be a great idea for you to shadow someone in nursing.

That being said I started out knowing I wanted to do nursing but needing the money of a full time job too (like yourself). I worked and went to school to get my LPN for a year. You could get certified as a CNA in like 2 weeks I think and work as a CNA while you get your LPN. I got my LPN and went straight back for my RN which took another year. I had very little luck finding many jobs for LPNs (but I was being kind of picky) I did finally find a seasonal LPN job and did that for about 4 months though. Look at the openings now to get an idea of what is in your area. I just accepted a job in a hospital as an RN and am doing an online RN-BSN. I took these steps so I could start working as soon as possible.

Hope that helps

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No as a matter of fact I think I would get emotional if I saw some going through pain so I am genuine and I do want to help people and make them feel better. I think I would just have to react calm to dramatic situations. Like if someone was gushing blood out or aomething Cause most nurses act so calmly andabout things lol. I Have such a sense of humor tooI'm always laughing. It's not like im a cold rude person. But thanks for your feedback and everyone else's!

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