Please Help--need Advice On Healthcare/nursing Career

Nurses Career Support

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Hello everyone...

I am new to this forum, seeking advice. I am an "older" woman with four children (three of them adults themselves) and have been feeling very compelled and passionate about getting into the healthcare field the past several years. I'm trying to figure out what I want to be now that I'm grown up...the calling is there for me. I did just get my real estate license, but feel I need MORE-- something stable -- where I can help, make a difference, and be a blessing to others. I have thought about nursing for quite some time, but not sure if that's the field I should be in. A big part of the problem is I HAVE BACK PROBLEMS, which I feel hinders me -- in many fields. I have also considered surgical tech, respiratory tech, ultrasound tech, and a few others.

If there is anyone out there that can give me a true and realistic expectation of what nursing (and/or any other field) might work for me, that would be awesome...I'd really appeciate it, as I'm going crazy trying to "figure it out". After all, I'm not getting any younger....

Also, is there a major difference in LPN vs. RN, as far as duties? Time and money are definitely a factor for me right now; thought I could possibly try and do the LPN first to maybe get my feet wet. I do see myself working with children/babies...labor/delivery or even a school.

Anyhow...again, I'd really appreciate any info/advice/input on what avenue to take.

THANKS SO MUCH!

--Gina

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Back injuries are the #1 cause of disability in nursing, so not to sqash your dreams, but I wouldn't recommend nursing for you. There probably are going to be others who will come along and tell you to go for it, that they are nurses with bad backs, etc. But still I wouldn't recommend it.

You have to be on your feet for 8 to 12 hours a day, you're going to have to turn and reposition bedridden patients, and many other things that require strength and stamina. Even if you go for positions in peds and nursery you still have the rigors of nursing school to get through, and there's still bending and lifting and being on your feet all day.

In some settings there isn't much of a difference in what an LPN and RN does, for example med-surg nurse LPNs tend to have the same job description as other floor nurses, with a few exceptions. The big difference is RNs on average make $5 to $10 more than an LPN doing similiar duties, so it's definitely worth it to go for the RN if time and money allows. Some of the positions you aspire to such as school nurses and L&D nurses hire only RNs. RNs enjoy a greater opportunity.

Good luck!

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THANKS SO MUCH, TWEETY, for your response. It has really helped me think more about it and validate my decision(s). I've had a couple of very good nurse friends that have pretty much said the same thing, but because I am so determined...I have tried to convince myself that my strengths and "mind over matter" attitude could overcome some of it...and hoped that depending on the specialty, maybe I wouldn't have had to put a lot of stress on my back.

With that being said, I'm back to wondering how much less stressful any other career in the field would/could be (surgical tech, respiratory, diagnostic sonograper, etc.) as mentioned earlier. It's becoming frustrating for me. I just want to find the right career.... Hmmm...maybe coding?

THANK YOU SO MUCH, again, for you help and insight!

--Gina

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