Need Advice about pursuing nursing career

[cheryldoug]

Hi ya'll...

I am currently living in Grapevine, Texas. Relocated from Chicago for my job, but I'm unhappy...I work as a pretty highly paid internet manager and while I love those I work with, my job gives me no satisfaction. It's high stress and I'm working for "the man"... the money is important, but I am having health implications from the stress, I think combined with the fact that I am not "serving" the community. I feel an innate desire to serve...and I am hungry to give nursing a shot... I plan to go to Tarrant County college to do all of my pre-req science courses and then enroll in TWU's nursing program in about a year or so...we can survive on one income, so I'll go full time... I'm just curious if anyone has made the change and if so, are you happy? Do you love nursing? I know there is stress and bullshit with any job....but as a 28 year old woman desiring a career change, does anyone have any recommendations or advice? Is TWU a good school? I plan to have kids also, so I want a career that is more flexible than my current 6 day a week, 8-8pm job!

Thanks!

[nurselaura]

Originally posted by kellisdomain

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:)

Kelli:

A few people have told me not to be a nurses aide because of the pay and I would have to work at a nursing home for awhile. You have to start at the bottom and move your way up. This is what I want to do at first than become LVN.

[lvnwannabe]

:) THANKS FOR YOUR INFO. I WAS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE I WAS TO OLD TO BE THINKING ABOUT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL @ 35. I HAVE A PASSION FRO NURSING PLUS THE FACT MY GRANDMOTHER IS A RETIRED NURSE. GROWING UP I WATCHED HE CLEAN THOSE WHITE SHOES AND STARCH THE WHITE NURSE'S HAT AND I WOULD SAY I WANT THAT. SO AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR WORDS.:) :)

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.

[lvnwannabe]

Well let me start by saying that i'm 34 almost 35 and i just finished my cna last year. i totally love it. i enjoy the fact that i make a difference daily in my patients lives. It makes my heart smile when one of them smile back at me or say oh thanks you honey when i have simply turned then to their other side or raise the head of their bed. So I say go for it. I'm looking into LVN programs now.

So good Luck :balloons:

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.

[cmrn]

Hi, I was a late comer to Nursing. I worked in accounting and raised 3 kids then went back to school for my nursing. Nursing has been very good to me and granted me a fulfillment that no other job has come near to. I love my work and most of the people I have encountered. Nursing has been very good to me and affords me a very nice lifestyle. Welcome to Texas and a really big welcome to nursing. :balloons: