anouk

I don't think nursing school is responsible for the nursing shortage. I think that the problem lies with poor working conditions. The attrition rate for nursing is horrendous.

No, your post didn't make it seem like teaching was easy. Thank for the post.

Please, don't take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to get into a who has a harder job debate, but teaching takes up a lot of your time, especially if you are a new teacher. You have to come up with lesson plans, grade papers, and fill out a lot of paper work. You also have to deal with angry parents and students. In addition to this there has been an upsurge in violence and sexual activity (even among elementary students!) For the amount of hours that one puts in, (for the lack of pay and abuse) it's extremelly difficult profession.

I have a question about nursing. I am currently an elemenatary school teacher who has been accepted to Nursing School for Spring 2007. I read an old article in "Times Magazine", that stated that the average nurse last about 5 years in the profession (similar to the burnout rate for teachers). I want to know why nurses leave the profession at such a high rate. I know that every profession has its problems and even lawyers and CEO's who make a lot of money gripe about their jobs. But on this board I've heard a lot of nurses post comments about doctor mistreatment, cattiness between co-workers, ill-tempered CNAs, charge nurses, and the like. I've also noticed that many nurses post about a lack of respect from administrators and co-workers even though nurses receive professional training. I 'd like to know some of the reasons why nurses are leaving the profession at such an alarming rate. I'd also like to know if it is better (work atmosphere wise) to work in a hospital, home health, doctor's office, etc.

I'm curious. I've heard about informatics on this board and would like to know what is it?

As I said before I know that as an undergrad you can major in anything. (I think I probably should have flushed out my post more) There seems to be the misconception that obtaining a BSN its easier to get good grades because majoring in nursing is not as hard as the science majors.(which I know the science majors are EXREMELY DIFFICULT) So some of the people that I've encountered who want to do this (some but not all) didn't come to the realization that while taking their nursing prereqs that they wanted to be doctors. They seem to have a disdain for nursing. Its like they picked it because they thought it was an easy major.

I just wanted to get some thoughts on this. There are a number of people who are entering the BSN program with me in the Spring who plan on using their degree as a "springboard" for medical school. By this I mean that they planning on graduating with a BSN and taking the prereqs for medical school on the side. Is that fair? Personally I don't think it is fair. I know a number of people with GPA's above a 3.5 who not only didn't get into the nursing program but they also didn't make it onto the waitlist as well. Now mind you I know that you can get you undergraduate degree in anything, but I think in a way that its unfair for someone who never intends on using their nursing degree to take the spot away from someone who does. What do you think?

I agree with the OP nurses, are "professionals", just like teachers. You just can't walk into a hospital or clinic and magically become a nurse. In addition to being a physically demanding job nursing involves years of formal training (i.e. school) and critical thinking skills. Likewise I admire and respect people who spend eight-ten years out of their lives to become doctors. It is a very difficult career to get into (med school is extremely competitive) and can heavily infringe on ones family life. It is a sacrifice that if given the choice is not one that I am sure I would make.

It really depends on the type of student that you are. If you decide to work, whether it's part-time or full time, you have to manage your time wisely. If you are not good at managing your time, I would highly advise against it. It also depends on the type of person that you are. Some people can work full time and graduate with honors, while others students struggle with part-time jobs or no jobs at all and end up failing out of school. If I was you I would think carefully aboutthis desicion. If its at all possible I would suggest getting a roomate so that you can split the bills and then go from there.

Thats what I wanted to know. I wanted to know what a DH is as well.

I got in and will start nursing school in the Spring of 2007.

I'm not on the quarter system, but this is my last semerster as a pre-nursing major. Good Luck with your exam.

I got my letter today (and from my first choice yeah!!!). I had gotten tired of checking the mail and calling the schools to ask when do they send out their acceptance/rejection letters. Finally when I'd stopped stalking the school of nursing, I find out that I got in. Yeah!!!! In january the hard stuff begins.

Take Chem first. I took Chem, A&P 1, A&P 2 (during the summer over 5 weeks span.) and am currently in Micro. It really depends on the student and the professor. If you want to take two at a time, I would ask around to see which professor has the best teaching style that is suitable for you.

Thanks for starting this post. After taken Anatomy 2 this summer, (Thank God thats over) I thought that Micro would be fairly easy. However, I was wrong. It is so difficult. We just had a test today and a practical next week. In addition to this we also have a paper to present.

Like someone else stated it varies. However you will have two GPA's. Your GPA might go up or down depending on the formula the school uses to tabulate your score. Usually schools will count the classes from your first degree that are needed to complete degree requirements (i.e. english, history) and add those to the nursing prereqs that you have taken. I hope that helps.

Hi, I hope this is not to much off topic, but a lot of people who have answered my post have degrees from accerlerated BSN programs. I like to thank everyone who replied to my post who mentioned accerlerated nursing programs.There are only four accerlerated nursing programs (that I know of) in my state. I plan on applying to the two programs that are closest to me. Thanks for the heads up!!!! Pyrolady thanks for the career info. I would like to find a way to use my teaching degree in the nursing field.

I know that that was a joke and meant as such, but I feel that I must clarify some things. I've been a teacher for about three and a half years. Prior to this year I had been taking my prereqs (part, PART, time of course) at the local community college. I am currently working part time as a substitute teacher and going to school as well. When I told my extended family that I wanted tto pursue a career in nursing, they couldn't understand why I would give up teaching. I agree with what another poster stated earlier: a lot of people don't understand the 1/4 year life crisis. You get into college (which is a struggle within itself) and at 18 years old you're told to pick a major that is suppose to lead to your "lifelong" career. You go through school and you're not sure what you want to do. Once you are in school, you carry on because of the time and money invested into said future career. Now don't get me wrong I love kids, and I like teaching, but it is not for me. Although I don't regret getting my first BA, (going to college was trully one of the best things I've done in my life) I've had several health scares in the last few years that have made me question what I want to do with my life. When I was in college I wanted to study nursing, but because I was halfway through, I told myself that there was no reason to "rock the boat". Now that I'm a little older, I want to pursue the career that I envision for myself, not what others think I should be doing.

.No they are not supporting me. I'm supporting myself through school.

I am a first year nursing student and work part time. I know some students ( one really) who work full time and go to school, while others don't work at all and drop out. It depends on your study skills. You have to use time management skills, organizational skills, and study. If you don't it will be difficult. But no I don't find it difficult at all.

Hi, I'm currently working on obtaining my BSN in nursing. Before this degree, I pursued a BA in education. I thought that I wanted to be a teacher. After all it was something that I'd wanted to do since childhood. However, once midway through college something inside of me clicked. I didn't really want to be a teacher, but because I was halway through the program, and had taken loans I decided to go through with it anyway. I took my test for my credentials and once I found myself in the classroom setting, I realized that it was not what I wanted to do and should have trusted my gut instinct instead. I was always drawn to nursing. Especially when in my junior year of college I went to my doctor and he misdiagnosed my symptoms of being the result of stress. I went to the school NP, and she ran test and found out it was more than stress. (I was SEVERELY anemic) I was impressed and wanted to make a career change before I started my career as a teacher but was to scared to do so. To make a long story shorter, everyone in my extended family keeps asking me why am I still in school. The one that really bugs me is everyone saying that I'm simple to old to go back to school. Should I be offended? Has anyone else heard someone say they were to old?

BTW sorry for the use of income instead of salary in the thread's title. I've tried to change it, but since I'm not being tech savvy I was unable to do so.

Hi, I'm graduating from a nursing program soon. Although I am from California I decided to go to school in Texas because my family is originally from here. When I graduate from nursing school with a BSN I'm not sure if I'm going to make Texas my permanate home. I'm interested in moving to Georgia or back to California. Can anyone tell me the how much nurses make in these states? Or particular interest to me is the pay in Med-Surg, and ER. Can someone tell me the average pay that nurses make in the metropolitarian areas in Texas as well? Thanks.

I wanted to quit nursing school because it takes me a longer time to catch on to things that others seem to grasp quickly. I wanted to quit nursing school because for some reason people in my classes would see me and doubt my intelligence, which would in turn cause me to doubt it as well. But I'm......getting over it. And realizing that I can and will do this.