Need Advice about pursuing nursing career

mattsmom81 · Jan 11, 2004

Nursing has been a flexible career for me and I raised my family in this way so I have no complaints. TWU is a great school from everyone I know who has been involved with it. :)

If you are stressed now I urge you to look into that now. Nursing school and nursing as a career is quite stressful. Picture a job where you are responsible for others' lives. Now picture a high stress business environment. You get both in nursing.

Best wishes. While nursing can indeed be rewarding, it does not offer an excape from stress. :chuckle

Shotzie · Jan 12, 2004

I am a huge proponet of nursing as a career.

I think it offers great flexibility, variety and constant stimulation. I've done a lot of different things in my career and I've loved each one. I've NEVER experienced the frustration and overwhelming stress so many nurses talk about but I never worked straight med-surg...it was always ICU or ER and then off to more independent positions.

The one thing I love about nursing is that you can always find a position to fit your life's demands at that thime. I've worked nights, weekends, days, 12hr shifts, 10 hr shifts, and 16 hr shifts.

I'm always trying to suggest nursing to people who are looking for a new career...good luck to you...I bet you'll be great as a nurse. :balloons: :nurse:

ainz · Jan 12, 2004

Nursing is a great career. I have never really done anything else other than the jobs I had to do to work my way through nursing school and a couple of tours in the army as a medic. After 24 years and hindsight, I would probably do the same thing again.

As I am sure you are aware, having some sense of balance is key to most anything. These days, just in my opinion, nursing (collectively speaking) has become somewhat unbalanced because nurses seem so focused on themselves and less on their patients.

Great career, great choice, much flexibility in schedules, area of practice, setting of practice, and much opportunity for advancement. You are really only limited by your imagination and desire. Good luck. We can always use another mature, professional person to join us.

Palamejo · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by Shotzie
I am a huge proponet of nursing as a career.
I think it offers great flexibility, variety and constant stimulation. I've done a lot of different things in my career and I've loved each one. I've NEVER experienced the frustration and overwhelming stress so many nurses talk about but I never worked straight med-surg...it was always ICU or ER and then off to more independent positions.
The one thing I love about nursing is that you can always find a position to fit your life's demands at that thime. I've worked nights, weekends, days, 12hr shifts, 10 hr shifts, and 16 hr shifts.
I'm always trying to suggest nursing to people who are looking for a new career...good luck to you...I bet you'll be great as a nurse. :balloons:

I would think that ICU or ER would be more stressful than med-surg...??? I am just starting the ADN program next week, so please educate me on this. Thanks!

brent · Jan 17, 2004

I lost a good paying job just over 2 years ago. It was a job I didn't like and I was getting no satisfaction from it. I too wanted to make a "contribution" I guess. I have always been interested in health care and decided to go in to nursing. I went to NCTC's LVN program which I highly recommend. I first looked in to TWU but had 2 nurse friends of mine neither of which went to NCTC tell me that NCTC has the best LVN program in Texas. I later found out that the military recruites more nurses from NCTC then any other school in Texas. Anyway, enough advertising. While I was in school I worked 12 hour shifts Fri. Sat. and Sun. at 2 different hospitals as an aid. The pay was bad but the experience was priceless. The LVN program is one year, so now, I have one year of experience while I am working on my RN. I highly recommend getting your LVN first. The experience you gain from it is unbelievably helpful in getting your RN. Plus you can make more money while you are working as a nurse in what ever facility you choose. By the way, I started nursing school at age 51, so it is never to late. And yes, I love being a nurse! Good luck to you.

LilRedRN1973 · Jan 17, 2004

I would think that ICU or ER would be more stressful than med-surg...??? I am just starting the ADN program next week, so please educate me on this. Thanks!

I know a lot of nurses who work med-surg find it stressful to deal with so many patients and be expected to get it all done. In ICU (where I'm working as a Nurse Apprentice) they have 2 patients each, sometimes one. It's easier to spend more time with your patients and provide primary care when you are only dealing with 2 patients. In med-surg, I think they can have upwards of 6 patients at a time (and I have heard of hospitals assigning nurses 8 patients). This, I think, could lead to some pretty stressful times. That's not to say ICU nurses don't have to work as hard or deal with as much. Even though the ICU nurses I work with have 1-2 patients each, they spend a LOT of time charting and a LOT of time doing primary care with their patients.

The ER is stressful in its own way....I love the ER. I had to do so many hours when getting my EMT license and recertifying and LOVED it. The only reason I'm going to chose ICU over ER is because I am looking to eventually go to CRNA school and need the ICU experience. But if I wasn't doing that, I would sure as hell be in the ER. I love all the excitement and the fast pace. The ICU is not nearly as fast paced as the ER, but I still enjoy it quite a bit. I'm hoping this job will carry me through nursing school and I can remain there once I am an RN.

Palamejo · Jan 18, 2004

Originally posted by brent
[... By the way, I started nursing school at age 51, so it is never to late. And yes, I love being a nurse! Good luck to you. [/b]

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!! I am 45 and the oldest one in my class. During orientation when they were discussing the reasons nursing is so in demand, they kept referring to the "Baby Boomers" getting "old" and needing more "nursing care." I was beginning to feel like a dinosaur!!! LOL! Anyway, it is good to hear that it CAN be done . . . even when you are already a "Baby Boomer!"

Palamejo · Jan 18, 2004

Originally posted by RNnTraining1973
I know a lot of nurses who work med-surg find it stressful to deal with so many patients and be expected to get it all done...

Melanie -- Thanks! That was very helpful! It makes much more sense now.

Pam :)

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2004

Dont feel bad

I am a dinosaur and I have worked hard to get there.. Go for it I have raised 7 kids due to Nursing. It works well for me and others I know.

Moving from Chicago to Grapevine, that must entail a certain amout of Culture Shock.

nurselaura · Jan 18, 2004

I am considering nursing as a career. I am 36 years old. A mother of 3 girls. I have been taking care of my 15 year old daughter who was dignosed with FAP. I spent many nites at the hospital and coming home and taking care of her. This has made me decide to become a nurse. I am soon starting nurses aide. I want to later become an Oncology nurse. Is there anyone out there with any advice. I have talked to several schools about this and I get different advices. I was told not to be a nurses aide. I need to be a medical assissant. I do not want this because I want to work with patients. I am not sure if I could handle working with blood. I want to try nurses aide first. Am I too old to start getting into this career. I remember as a child helping with sick animals and trying to help my mother when she was sick with cancer.I tried taking care of my sister that has been a diabetic since she was a child. I just could not have the courage to give her the shots. My sister in law who is a surgeon tech says you get over this. Is this true. do you learn to deal with blood and things. How long does it take to be an oncology nurse.

kellisdomain · Jan 31, 2004

Hey I think it is great that you want to be a CNA. I used to be one and now want to go on to persue my LVN now. I think being Nurse Assistant helps so much. I loved working in the nursing homes and after I graduate nursing home that is where I will be going hopefully if I can find a day shift position.

Good luck in your endeavors..

Kelli:)