i'm not a nurse, but i'd like to be...

stressednurse · Nov 27, 2003

It looks like you have none or very little exposure or experience in nursing.

What has drawn you to this profession and what do you think you might do or accomplish? This might help us guide you in the right direction.

Also counselors at all colleges are wonderful helpers in finding the right direction.

Good luck

WannaBeeee :) · Nov 27, 2003

my mom has been in and out of the hospital a lot this year, but about two weeks of daily visits sums up my nursing exposure...

i've always been drawn to the medical profession. i majored in chemistry and life science (the closest equivalent to a pre-med degree at my college), but didn't end up persuing medical school beyond taking the MCAT. if i had, i might have been an army doctor instead of an engineer officer.

this is probably idealized and not at all meant to be taken against all that doctors do, but i see nurses as being a lot closer to patients and their care. the nurses were there when my mom was in pain or scared, and they were always there when we, her family, couldn't be; they were always helping in ways we couldn't. and it wasn't just my mom -- i realized that they took care of many people all at once and did the same things for them.

i really enjoy all types of people, and i think most people are pretty comfortable with me. i just want to help people feel better and get better, and i feel like that type of work would be it's own reward.

does that help?

stressednurse · Nov 27, 2003

Wannabee,

sounds like you are one of the ones "called to the profession".

I suits your personality and personal goals in life.

Go for it.

Find a partner or friend/s to support you and have a ball.

I have many wonderful funny and sad experiences but all deal with kind and very human coworkers and patients.

Good luck and chat often.

email me if you like

[email protected]

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2003

Good luck! Hope you enjoy your experience.

Look for a school that is "National League of Nursing" or NLN approved. There really is no technique as to the "how". The training you will recieve will be in a variety of fields to include med-surg, mother-baby, pediatrics, physch., critical care, operating room, etc. You'll find your "niche" in the wide field of nursing soon enough.

If you have to work, when you are able to be a nurse tech/assistant do that. Usually after a semester or two you can work as an assistant. It really gets your foot in the door and gets to the nitty gritty.

When I started clinicals I was one of only two people who had no patient care contact and I felt at quite a loss, but don't let that stop you. An open mind, and a desire, and some hard work will get you through.

Good luck! Welcome.

Sarah Kat · Nov 28, 2003

Originally posted by WannaBeeee :)
i've always been drawn to the medical profession. i majored in chemistry and life science (the closest equivalent to a pre-med degree at my college), but didn't end up persuing medical school beyond taking the MCAT. if i had, i might have been an army doctor instead of an engineer officer.

I assume you got your 4yr degree then? If so, some schools offer accelerated programs for people who already have a BS. Basically you can apply all of your general requirements from your degree and only have to take the nursing classes. This would lead to a BSN. Or you could enroll in an ASN program. Either would make you eligible to take the RN exam. If you want to be an advanced practice nurse, like a family nurse practicioner or nurse anesthetist, then you could just do the two yr ASN then apply to a master's program. It will depend which area of nursing you are interested in, how much time you want to spend in school, where you live, if you want to relocate for school, etc. This is definately the place to be to get the information you need. I suggest checking out the student nursing forums, and the various specialty boards. Good luck!