newbie here...but have some ?'s

rn/writer, RN · Aug 5, 2005

ive got some questions about nursing. first off im still in high school and still deciding what i want to do after i graduate, im a senior this year. i was just wondering what a good field would be to go in. Im really into labor and delivery stuff i always watch the discovery health channel and love watching the shows like birth day etc., but im also just exploring what the nursing career has to offer. well if anyone has any suggestions and places where i could get good info on any field of nursing please reply. :) thank you

See if your high school has any kind of job shadowing/career exploration program. Contact local hospitals to find out what kinds of volunteer opportunities they might have. As soon as you meet the age requirement (you may be old enough already depending on the state you live in), become certified as a CNA and get a job in a hospital or other healthcare facility. (Just make sure you use really good body mechanics so you don't injure yourself.)

Your local voc/tech school might have some job aptitude testing and career search options, too. They can give you a battery of tests to find out where your strengths, inate abilities, and interests lie.

With so many nursing specialties, you have a wide range of choices. The Discovery shows are a wonderful window into a small niche of the nursing world but there are many other specialties out there. Think about what you are like as a person and what interests you apart from nursing and that might help direct you.

Good luck,

Miranda

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 5, 2005

you could always become a volunteer in a hospital, as well! that will give you some "experience" to put on your college apps and resume and give you a little more insight as to at least one environment in which nurses do practice (there are others like hospice, home health care, country/state health depts, schools, etc).

volunteering is NEVER a bad idea, particularly in high school.

good luck!!