candi361

I read last week's issue of U.S. News & World Report and it had this story, as well as a couple of other great articles, about the growing importance of the roles of nursing professionals. The only scary thing to me was the idea that, according to one of the stories, a doctorate degree may be required by the year 2015 for advanced practice nurses in order to do the work that is done now with a Masters (NPs, CNMs, etc.). It seems to me that with the nursing shortage, why make it that much harder to get into the field? Especially when you read these articles and realize that nurses are fast becoming the new faces of quality healthcare in many respects. Anyway, that's just MHO, I'm new to all this. But the magazine is really worth picking up!. For anyone interested, here are direct links to the articles: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/050131/health/31nurses.htm http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/050131/health/31nurses.b.htm

I feel it's a calling. I wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid, let myself be talked out of it, and here some 30 years later, after doing a variety of careers that have left me unfilled and continuously searching, I decided that it was time to listen to the small voice within that has been trying to make itself be heard for years. I've found it's still telling me the same thing. I have tried to talk myself out of nursing in every which way possible over the past several months but ultimately, I feel deep in my heart that if I don't do it, I'll be letting myself down in some major way and turning my back on an important thing I came here to do. I know it won't be easy but then again, it's been my experience that anything worthwhile seldom is.

Thank you!

I am considering returning to school for a degree in nursing with the hope of ultimately becoming either a Nurse Practitioner or School Nurse. This board has been a godsend in regards to finding out what the reality is and also not thinking I'm too old at 36 to get started. However, as I've started looking into schools and the pre-reqs necessary, it has ocurred to me that I need to find out if my health situation may be an obstacle to the plan; early last year, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and had some stressful events take place that led to mild anxiety. I also have some blood sugar issues. My blood pressure is under control with meds, I haven't had any more bouts with anxiety attacks for over six months, and I function fine as long as I eat something every 5 hours or so. My question: do any of you think that nursing school is going to be too much to take on with these health things going on? I have wanted to be a nurse since I was 6 years old but my mom discouraged it: "Why be a nurse when you can be a doctor?" she said. I never brought it up again. But 30 years later, I've realized that it's still my calling and I'd like to still pursue it if I can. I will be completely bummed if my health issues prevent me from doing it, but I'd rather be realistic than get in over my head. If that's the case, I've considered getting my degree in Health Science and pursue Health Education in some form as a second option. I appreciate any opinions and input, thanks in advance!