Nursing Career

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

My bread has never gone moldy nor any of the bazillions of jars of jams, jellies, and vegies I've put up gone bad since I learned sterile / no touch technique.

I've saved a ton of money on vet bills draining cat abscesses, taking out drains and sutures, treating claw avulsions, and treating corneal abrasions, because wounds are wounds even if the patient isn't too damn happy about your care. I saved hundreds of dollars being able to take one home from the kitty ICU a day early because they knew I could follow a med sheet and evaluate her wound. I've also been able to recognize flash pulmonary edema from massive aortic embolus (no hind leg pulses, wet resps) and tell them to go directly to the pentobarb to end suffering.

I've met wonderful, wonderful people inside and outside of the profession because I am a nurse.

I have been able to make a difference for a lot of people in several high-profile volunteer positions, because I am a nurse.

I've put two kids through college and kept food on the table and paid a mortgage.

I've saved a bunch of money diluting a wrong prescription that was given to me (2% prescribed, 5% delivered) because I took chemistry. Made it last 150% longer. :)

I've been able to answer the tearful question, "If I send you a picture of her rash will you tell me if it's dangerous?" and "I can't get her to latch on, now what do I do?" because I am a nurse.

I've been able to get my husband appropriate care before he knows he needs it. :)

I've been able to help my aging parents make better decisions, or at least be sure they know what they need to know before they ignore my recommendations. :)

I've been able to get my brother stat to a specialist in another state for his very rare cancer due to my nursing connections (and he lived, and he's fine).

This list might not be what you thought you'd get. But you know what? I wasn't expecting any of it when I went to college for nursing, either. You just never know.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2014

I don't think I'd call it the best decision I ever made. It's my profession, not my life. I'm not even sure what the best decision I've ever made was. Leaving my first nursing job is pretty high up there on that list though.

I had a job secured in my chosen field prior to graduation which most of my classmates who had Arts and Science type majors couldn't say... 7 years later and many of them still don't have jobs that are at all relevant to their majors.

I bought a house (a nice one) at the age of 27, on my own.

I have a flexible schedule that has enabled me to travel... a lot. In the just under 7 years since I became a nurse, I have traveled to 14 countries and spent many more weeks/months volunteering around the US.

I know how to advocate for myself. Several years ago, I had routine labs which revealed hypokalemia and acidosis. It took 3 doctors to figure out what the issue was and when the first nephrologist my primary sent me to dismissed me and essentially told me I was crazy, I did not hesitate to seek out a different one at another institution. Two appointments with that MD and he confirmed what I knew/had insisted all along- a medication that I was taking was causing these issues. Less than a week after stopping the medication, my labs were normal for the first time in 10 months.

My personal doctors respect and listen to me.

Ambitious83 · Mar 31, 2014

My bread has never gone moldy nor any of the bazillions of jars of jams, jellies, and vegies I've put up gone bad since I learned sterile / no touch technique.

I've saved a ton of money on vet bills draining cat abscesses, taking out drains and sutures, treating claw avulsions, and treating corneal abrasions, because wounds are wounds even if the patient isn't too damn happy about your care. I saved hundreds of dollars being able to take one home from the kitty ICU a day early because they knew I could follow a med sheet and evaluate her wound. I've also been able to recognize flash pulmonary edema from massive aortic embolus (no hind leg pulses, wet resps) and tell them to go directly to the pentobarb to end suffering.

I've met wonderful, wonderful people inside and outside of the profession because I am a nurse.

I have been able to make a difference for a lot of people in several high-profile volunteer positions, because I am a nurse.

I've put two kids through college and kept food on the table and paid a mortgage.

I've saved a bunch of money diluting a wrong prescription that was given to me (2% prescribed, 5% delivered) because I took chemistry. Made it last 150% longer. :)

I've been able to answer the tearful question, "If I send you a picture of her rash will you tell me if it's dangerous?" and "I can't get her to latch on, now what do I do?" because I am a nurse.

I've been able to get my husband appropriate care before he knows he needs it. :)

I've been able to help my aging parents make better decisions, or at least be sure they know what they need to know before they ignore my recommendations. :)

I've been able to get my brother stat to a specialist in another state for his very rare cancer due to my nursing connections (and he lived, and he's fine).

This list might not be what you thought you'd get. But you know what? I wasn't expecting any of it when I went to college for nursing, either. You just never know.

@GrnTea that's exactly what I wanted to know, how nursing has changed your life and others around you. Your response put a smile on my face. As the old saying goes: Knowledge is POWER!

NOADLS · Mar 31, 2014

I live a much healthier life right now and I am raking in the money. I've also learned that I should remain single as people with families can't commit to OT and miss out on good money / easy shifts. It's unfortunate because I'd like to reproduce so my wisdom can be passed down.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2014

I am amazed at how much some people endure to get better after a serious illness

I am amazed at how many mistakes Dr's actually make and how many nurses catch said mistakes, making me vary wary of Dr's for my own health and the health of my family.

I have learn't that rarely do you get the whole picture, instead it is like a jigsaw puzzle where you have to put the pieces together

That medical TV shows are so inaccurate, and it drives me crazy

That you can't always predict outcomes

That people never cease to amaze me

hope3456, ASN, RN · Mar 31, 2014

I live a much healthier life right now and I am raking in the money. I've also learned that I should remain single as people with families can't commit to OT and miss out on good money / easy shifts. It's unfortunate because I'd like to reproduce so my wisdom can be passed down.

We love you NOADLS

Ambitious83 · Mar 31, 2014

I live a much healthier life right now and I am raking in the money. I've also learned that I should remain single as people with families can't commit to OT and miss out on good money / easy shifts. It's unfortunate because I'd like to reproduce so my wisdom can be passed down.

Wow! I didnt know having a family had such an impact on the work schedule. Makes plenty of sense to me.