ashley10

you know, if this doesn't work, I'll have to take your temperature. And I don't mean orally. Get it... All right then, what do we need this ultrasound for, anyway??? You pregnant, Again? Hey, Father Time over here...come on, now. This is getting old....

Hey, wake up. I didn't really put this on Facebook.

wait a minute, wait a minute... I know there's got to be WIFI in here somewhere, I've GOT to check my email..

I am so glad to have found this topic on here today, because I have already studied all of those careers and was once a nursing student. In fact, I also have an adult disabled son who is home all the time, is not able to drive or leave the house (severe social anxiety and other serious emotional disorders) and I was also concerned about the added stress, the long work days, and the possibility of there not being a long term nursing shortage in this area. I feel sure there must be many others thinking along the same lines, wondering which career path to follow: medical office assistant, healthcare administration, medical billing and coding, RN, LPN, Nurse Practitioner, pharmacist technician, pharmaceutical copywriter, phlebotomist, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, massage therapist, and the list goes on and on, unfortunately. The online degrees offered are so numerous, the schools themselves are so aggressive, and the good and bad points about the medical profession are also just as numerous, it is very difficult for me to decide what to believe, where to invest or apply, and what to study that actually offers a realistic chance of obtaining a good job. Every one of these questions causes me to question whether the health care field is the right choice, and also causes me to wonder if all these schools advertising with degrees for various careers are truly trying to help those seeking work, or simply trying to make a profit. It certainly seems that the educational benefits of a degree don't necessarily guarantee any occupation, no matter how these institutions try to hype their expensive programs. I myself have been wondering about all of these professions, have taken numerous classes in health care and science, and have also studied many other things not related to healthcare at all. I would be very interested to find out how your quest turned out and if you ever decided on a career path that you have found satisfying. At one time, I thought becoming an RN was the best and most logical choice for me but after one semester in a nursing program I quickly discovered that I was not capable of such a strenuous, stressful, demanding, highly skilled occupation and I have since completely changed my direction, and am now studying something I adore. Art, design and Writing. Unfortunately, none of these offer any guarantee of employment, but all are totally rewarding in their own way. Thank you for posting this thread.

Hmmmm, now what was that color again? Code black? Code Red? Code White????

I love this story. I think it is wonderful of you to share it with others. I never realized (before attempting to learn "nursing") just how many "Mr. J's" there are in the world. You truly expressed the spirit of Christmas, and much more than that, not only for him but also for everyone who reads this. Thank you.

Thank you all so very much !!! Congratulations to all the winners! :redbeathe

Thank you everyone for your wonderful words of wisdom, and for every encouragement! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help. I am just starting this journey after deciding back in 1990 that I wanted to be a nurse, but you know, eventhough I'm now in my fifties, I'm still excited about this fascinating choice. I am in a much different position at this age, not only divorced, but a grandmom! I guess I can stand the suspence, I've waited this long to really pursue something without hesitation, so why not nursing? I may be an older student, but that's not so bad. I just wish I knew if I will really be in a nursing class, or am I just studying these sciences for my own interest? We'll see, but I am really anxious to find out which way this road will take me...

You're right, itsmejuli, I appreciate your advice...thank you.

I'm really enjoying the classes, and I'm fascinated with the science and critical thinking. This is what makes it all seem so challenging, and there's not a patient in sight, yet! Wow! Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement. Hey, a "lesson in patience" in more ways than one!

This is already making me more than a little crazy, I guess I really want to study nursing! How can it be we are supposed to sign up for classes like: anatomy & psyiology I & II, biology, microbiology... Ok, maybe this isn't so bad. Is this true, though, we have to take these classes, not only pass them but pass them with excellent grades, and at the same time prepare for the entrance test, and do all this without knowing if we will even be accepted into the program at all??? I have to say, so far this whole nursing idea is turning out to be extremely fascinating, and frustrating, at the same time. Is this just the beginning??? Or is it all for nothing??? Unbelievable...I don't remember ever being so intrigued, and stressed out, just thinking about a new career. Thank you so much for all of these interesting messages, this place is incredible, even if I don't get accepted I'll always remember the way it felt before I knew what was going to happen. I guess I really do want to study nursing, how do you like that. And it only took me until my early 50's to realize it. But I want to get in, I want to get in, I want to get in....this is really hard.