bcm6987

If you want to be a physician, then study Biochem, take the MCAT, and go to medical or osteopathy school. I worked in the hospital as a Respiratory Therapist for 15 years before going to Nursing school. I considered medical school, and really enjoyed all of my undergraduate chemistry, biology, and physics classes. However, working in the hospital, observing many physicians, and asking them questions about medicine ad nauseum taught me that medicine was not for me! So I went to Nursing school instead (organic and biochem made pharm a breeze). I now have two more semesters (if I ever get done with my thesis) and I'll be a Nurse Practitioner. Not a day goes by that I regret my decision. Nursing is the best career in the world, and I encourage young men and women every day to become Nurses!!

Hey Amber, I will be starting my last year of FNP school next semester. I started in health care in 1990 as a Resp. Therapist. I graduated from BSN school in 2003. There is no way I would have been ready for FNP school without my Resp. Therapy background! As for post-graduation orientation for NP's, there ain't none. You'll be oriented to the charting method (paper or electronic), shown where the bathroom is, and that is about it. Basically you will feel like you've been (and you'll hear this a thousand times, by the way) "thrown to the sharks", because you will be thrown to the sharks. Hopefully your care providing colleagues will be willing and able to help you in the areas in which your are least self-confident. That being said, Ive heard of new BSN grads going right into MSN-NP preparation. They must be really bright or in a very easy program. I'm not saying that it can't be done. I am saying that in my humble opinion it shouldn't be done, there is a vast amount of "stuff" that must become second nature to the Nurse prior to entering training for "Advanced Practice Nursing". Learn as much as you can in the Hospital, ask a bunch of questions, learn to read ECG's, X-rays, MRI's, CT's etc. well. Learn why the care providers order a certain therapy, versus ordering something else. Don't be afraid to be wrong!! You will learn a great deal be asking follow-up questions that require redirection by the provider giving the answer. It will mold your methods of critical thinking, problem solving, and logic. Most of all, enjoy Nursing! Enjoy the fact that you are the only one around treating the patient, not the patient's disorder or disease process!!