Darwinsthumb

Hello, I am just beginning the process of my nursing education (have applied for a PN certificate program) but am starting to have serious doubts (fears?) about my decision. I have been interested in working for hospice since my grandfather died, almost ten years ago, in the care of hospice. It took me this long to get the courage to even apply to a college. Ironically enough, it is not the illness and death that frighten me - I love the idea that as a hospice nurse I am not trying to save a life but to save something which I think is equally important: another person's right and need for dignity and compassion. I'm always suprised at some individual's reaction when they hear that I want to do hospice, a sort of how depressing! Why would you want to work for a lost cause? reaction. As if a person isn't worth helping if they can't be cured. No, what frightens me are all the horror stories I've heard, which seem to culminate into the awful reality that from the moment you graduate, you are on your own (I have now heard the catchy phrase "nurses eat their young" at least a dozen times.) From what I can gather, nursing programs do not prepare their students for the realities of the profession, which include understaffing, high patient loads, catty coworkers, 16 hours days and unsympathetic supervisors. I have also heard that most nurses are required to complete orientation in an ER or OR ward, regardless of what their long term goals are, and this is something I don't see myself cut out for. I still think I would like to work with hospice, but am starting to doubt my ability to overcome the obstacles in getting there. I've heard that to be a nurse you have to be self-assured, thick skinned and confident - I'm not! I'm terrified that I will spend thousands of dollars and time for something that's not right for me. I understand that nobody here can say what I should or can do, so I think I am really just looking for reassurance. Something to balance out all the negative horror stories I have heard about the nursing profession. I'm looking for something positive, some "I was once as frightened and unsure as you but I made it and love it!" Anything... ?:innerconf

Hello, I am just beginning the process of my nursing education (have applied for a PN certificate program) but am starting to have serious doubts (fears?) about my decision. I spent the first 10 years of my adult life working at a humane society, which I loved, but burned out on. The past two years have been spent doing office work and over that time I have become increasingly unhappy with the monotony of it. I decided on nursing for the same reason many people do: I want to help people and make a difference; however, I'm starting to realize that my idealized fantasy of Florence Nightingale tenderly mopping the brow of her feverish patient is just a tad unrealistic (okay, so I wasn't that naive, but you see what I mean.) After hearing a litany of horror stories, from "nurses eat their young" to "I killed my patient" I am starting to wonder if their is anything positive to this career. Although I think I am a reasonably intelligent individual, I have never been brimming with confidence and self-esteem, and can also be overly sensitive. I surprised myself when I was able to work (and competently) at a Humane Society, a job which ricocheted between rewarding and soul-crushing despair on an hourly basis. It gave me some confidence, but I am starting to realize that the Humane Society pales in comparison to a career in nursing. I'm not afraid of illness or death, and am actually hoping for a career in hospice, but I have heard that most nurses are required to do orientation on an OR or ER ward and this scares me. What frightens me is not what I'll face, but that I'll fail while facing it. So, I guess my question is this: Is it really as bad as I'm hearing? Is it always such a brutal, mad-scramble fight to make it and fit in? And if so, are their any other anxious, insecure or self-consicous individuals out there who not only made it, but made it and now love it? I know that nobody can tell me what I can and can't do, only I can decide that. Really, I think I am just looking for some reassurance and positive feedback to counteract all the horror stories I've heard. Thanks....

Hello, I am interested in a career in nursing, primarily in geriatrics, hospice or a nursing home. I have absolutely no medical experience (well, not with people, only in a veterinarian setting) and don't know how to begin. I have gone online to look at my different career options (nurse assistant, LPN, CN...) but am not sure what order I proceed in. The advice given to me was to become an LPN first to ensure that I enjoy the job. Is this sound advice? Also, I will be moving from Colorado to Michigan in two years. Should I wait to start school until I am Michigan (I hate to wait two years but I remember the hassle I went through when I transferred to another college in the same state - A whole semester worth of classes didn't transfer and it took me that much longer to get my BA). Any advice on how to start? I have also emailed a few colleges but they seem more intent on getting me to enroll then handing out advice. Thank you, Jeanie