PhilaGuy

Well what fun would it be if there wasn't anything new...

That's a really good point. I'm the one that made the grass comment... And here I am getting ready to take my pre-req classes for nursing this fall

HAHAHA, don't worry -- Family taught me the lesson on that one. Thanks for the response all. I haven't had science classes since high school (back in the late 80s / early 90s), but I was good at them. And with IT... I've gone through several calculus / diff eq classes, so I'm OK on the math end of things. Its going to be a challenge, no doubt - But D**N am I excited!

P.P.S. I just re-read your post, and I think you have some anger issues. I only stated that I have an eventual goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner or getting into management. Since when did having goals equate to demeaning others (in this case, LPNs) and not wanting to do work? You have zero knowledge of how I would be as a co-worker or as a manager. And I don't care if I'm cleaning poo, I don't consider any part of nursing a menial job. Maybe that's idealistic, but I damn well prefer having a positive attitude whatever I'm doing. I'm still sorry you took my thread as meaning something it didn't. But to take my goals and assume I'm some sort of DON (as you put it)... C'mon now, way off base.

Was this to me?? I have ZERO plans of being in management right away - or even 10years down the road at all!! I completely agree, I need to know the job and do it for a while (and well). I'm starting from the beginner level, and understand that completely; If its anything like any other job I've had, 10% of the education is formal, the other 90% is learned on the job from others. In my early 30s, I have a lot of working years left, and was simply stating a long-term goal! Sorry if you thought I was saying I would jump right into nursing management (although I do expect to take Nurse Practitioner classes part-time once I graduate and get a nurse job) - I thought I was clear and I apologize if I wasn't. And if this wasn't for me... Well, sorry for being neurotic. P.S. With two kids and a dog, yes I've seen poo - In many forms.

Yep, totally agree -- And the pay gets better as you go (and my eventual goal is to be a nurse practioner or possibly a manager of some sort - y'know, actually put my MBA to use ), but I want to have a few years under my belt first of actually doing the job and helping people. I appreciate this thread (and forum) though, because just as I know there are good points to the job, there are bound to be areas of concern and things to watch for. At least I can go into the profession with my eyes wide open. To the OP, I hope things look up, or you are able to find a better career. Just as a suggestion, most (all?) insurance companies have large numbers of nurses they hire for case management. Its an office job, but they are paid well and might give you a change of pace (while still using the skills and knowledge from your profession). That's the nice thing I'm finding about nursing - There are tons of career paths once you have that RN.

Whew, thank you -- And yeah, I'm fine celebrating on different days. I figure possibly (since you don't necessarily have to work them all - somebody's off!) losing the three major holidays a year is worth all of the extra time you suggest. Plus, as was stated, I just love the idea that I'll be coming home for work everyday knowing I directly helped someone (even if they were crabby about it!). Funny off-topic thing though - My wife and I were at the college's information night on their program: 60 people, only two of us were male; A VERY different experience then software development, let me tell you! Certainly not a problem, just really interesting!

Sounds like me, and the reasons I want to get into it. However, I expect most of my family to think I'm nuts since I'll take a 50% pay cut to do so (at least at first) I'm not expecting low stress (and that's OK), but what's unnerving is the loss of hours with family I'm hearing about on this board. My goal was to actually try and INCREASE hours with family. I work now 10-12 hour days 5 days a week, then follow that up with off hours stuff and email on nights and weekends, etc. Am I making a mistake here thinking I will get more time with family in nursing?

I'm not a nurse yet -- Just looking to get into the career -- And I don't doubt what you're saying is true. However, I can say with 13 years in software systems development that the grass isn't always greener. Arrogant doctors: Replace that with arrogant managers / co-workers / business team members. Since I'm in a group that technically provides a "service" for the business teams, sometimes they can be completely rude in how they act. Politics: Office politics are alive and well outside of nursing, trust me on that. Unfortunately it seems more human nature than occupational nature. The bigger the place you work, the more likely the politics are mean. Time off: Believe it or not, this is one of the reasons I'm coming INTO nursing (although its far down the list). While I know there is on-call and weekend / night / holiday work, at least nurses are paid for it. I regularly work 60-75 hours (in several companies, so its not just a single workplace), plus additional hours from home as needed. Often I'm checking email daily from home -- And all of this time is unpaid beyond my salary. Its a good salary, and I don't think I'm under-compensated, but I believe I'd actually have MORE hours at home with family as a nurse. At least when I'm home, that's my time with family, not the check email on pop online for the latest "crisis". Again, this is most definitely NOT to dismiss your concerns. I just wanted to make sure you understood though that those concerns are not just nursing in general. The way I see it, at least you are providing people a true healing service (whereas I just make my company money).

I can try to explain it more from the insurance side of things (looking to become a nurse eventually). Managed care or HMOs (Health Management Organizations) are structured health insurance programs. The way they work is requiring you as a patient to see your primary doctor for all non-emergency care as a first step (rather than letting you go to a more expensive specialist, or requesting a test). This reduces costs as many issues can be treated via this primary level of care. In addition, costs down to the smallest minutiae are figured out for most procedures and dx's. These are negotiated with the various doctors, hospitals, etc. so that actuaries can make determinations on costs for the member groups (and thereby charge back via premiums). The concept is to reduce costs for the members by controlling and optimizing care. Many times it works, but many times it also can be abused and bring a reduction in care (such as if your primary doctor doesn't ask for a test that they should due to costs, etc. or if a patient doesnt receive follow up because the steps / procedures were too cumbersome).

Thanks all. Its not going to be a short process (going to school part time, and need pre-reqs), but lining stuff up. There's an open house for a community college program I want to get in on Wednesday; They are full for fall 08, but since I have pre-reqs anyway fall 09 is fine. Im looking at a Associates program purely for cost; It will let me get my RN faster or at the same speed, at a reduced cost. I'll go back and get the Masters, but once I'm at a hospital that will pay for it. I'm not against the Associates personally - In fact, the Community College I'm looking at has a higher 1st time NCLEX pass rate than the University of Pennsylvania! I can't wait. I'm probably 2 1/2 years out, but it will happen soon enough!

Well, after taking a look around it looks like I'm going to be stuck waiting for next fall - Widener would be too expensive, and the other local schools have waiting lists. May not be a bad thing actually. I'm going to an info session for DCCC, and if I apply for 2009 it will let me get my pre-requisites out of the way beforehand. Its one thing to walk in with a > 3.0 GPA in business, but if I have 4-6 science classes with As on the list as well, that looks even better!

The good news is I get what you mean - I work for an insurance company, so I know all about the codes... Dx codes, Proc codes... So many codes... Ugh

While I haven't worked there (not in the field yet), I can tell you it has a good reputation, although it gets dwarfed by CHOP. Horrible neighborhood though.

It looks like DCCC already has a waiting list for this fall, ugh. Any other ideas on schools in the Chester County area (willing to go in a decent radius around there though!). We live really close to West Chester U, but not sure how difficult it is to get into their programs (and if they even have a night / weekend thing).