New Beginnings...

[BLuDKLoT]

Hello all,

I have recently been separated from the USMC after 13 years of honorable service for injuries I sustained while on active duty.

I find myself now, at the age of 37, wondering what's next? The fast pace and constant action of an Emergency Room really appeals to me.

My question is, I know that there is at least 4 years of school involved and lots of hard work. I have no college and possess a High School Diploma. I have average intelligence and common sense, but I fear I might not make it through all the schooling.

I was hoping to get some advice on becoming an E.R. Nurse as my new career goal. How is the job? The pay? Is it worth it? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Blud

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Ya knows I'm kidding, right Taz??

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Also, I thought of something - that hand-to-hand stuff you learned might just come in handy in the ER. Course there are also restraints & medications (and you really can't go hitting patients anyway, which I'm sure you know) but if it were me I'd feel better knowing that I'd seen far worse in the field than any bozo in the ER can throw at me.

[Karynica, RN]

When I was in nursing school we had a guy who had done his 20 with the Navy. His wife was a registered nurse and he decided to be a nurse too. He was in his 40's and talk about a great guy. Some of us would come in early for class just to listen to his stories about his time on the submarines. He was in the gulf war during Desert Storm and he was such a great person! He was a great "leader" in our clinical group. We just loved him to death and found him one in a million.

Go For It! Nursing school is hard, but you can do it.

[Brian, ASN, RN]

bludklot, love the username, welcome to an!

as others have already mentioned, thanks for service! i would suggest maybe browsing the threads in the following forums for many of your questions:

california nurses

and

emergency nursing

you may find your pay question answered already? if not, you may want to post your question in the ca forum. get used to the search feature here, as it will really help find what you are looking for.

you've already found one the best assets you can ask for for nursing school and resources (ahem... allnurses.com ) really, as you've already seen in this thread, our members are amazing and are incredibly helpful! an is a wonderful resource in school, just check out many of the testimonials

good luck in whatever career path you choose! welcome to an!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Spouse of a Marine here. You can do this! Plus, you'll have the advantage of getting the GI Bill while you're in school. If you're getting disability benefits, then you have even more of an advantage.

I'd say that even if you have a family- they're used to being flexible, since you've had a Military career. I've worked with lots of post-military nurses in the ER & ICU, and those environments seem suited for those who have served.

My husband and I are a little behind on our education, compared to other people our age (we are around the same age as you), because of the uncertainty that goes along with being a military family. Now, he is a full time engineering student, and will have his Master's degree in 2 more semesters. He had the same fears you have when he started, and even though he is a little older than most of his classmates, he uses the same sort of dedication and get 'er done attitude that he had to use in the Corps for school. Don't let anything hold you back. You are a little behind education-wise, but that's because you were busy serving your country. Thank you for your service. Not get out there and start applying for nursing school.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Sounds like you have the will and determination to do it... Good luck and I am sure it will come round sooner than you think. Would also suggest you check out the student section as it will give you some ideas on what goes on in school etc.

[nursegreen]

I work for a level 1 trauma center in Florida and we hire nurse techs in our ED(maybe they offer something similar in Ca). It is very hard to get in as a new grad but coming in as a NT is the best way. If you are a good fit then as a NT you will get the grad position. We offer an extensive orientation for our new grads is why we do take them. In Florida once you have completed your fundamentals of nrsg (usually 1st semester of nrsg) you can work as a NT. Basically, you work as a patient care tech at a higher pay, and you can perform skills you have already learned in nrsg school. Also, we train special ops in our ED so we deal a great bit with military personel. We have many nurses who are in the reserves or have retired from the military and started a new career. In my experience, they have really enjoyed the ED atmosphere. Our new grads start around $22-23/hr. Good Luck!!!