Alexis4

I'm not saying that having a life outside your job makes you a bad nurse. My point is that those who actually enjoy their job and are passionate about it are happier at work & in their outside life because they feel fulfilled to be doing something they love. Having a job you're happy with is hard to come by, look at the world outside.

wow so much advice so fast! thanks to everyone all of your tips will be put to good use!

I am a BSN student and I know that most everyone who is in or has been in nursing school at one time will agree that it is tough, as it should be. I also know that with all of us who have been through it there have got to be some tricks of the trade, some hints, secrets, something to help make it through nursing school. Good study tips? Special snack recipes great for studygroup? How do you make the mindnumbing semesters seem shorter? Whats the best way to relax before a huge exam? Clinical stories to tell? Helpful hints? Anything you would like to share would be greatly appreciated!

It's true that the amount of money you make has a lot to do with what degree you come out with. However, I think there are two kinds of nurses. There are ones that went to school for it because of the money, work their 3 12 hour shifts a week, come home and live their lives. Then their are the others that went into nursing because it's something they're passionate about because something about it challenges and intrigues them. Those are the ones who care the most and therefore are better at their jobs. I'm not saying that nurses make a bad living, because they don't. But the ones who love their job are far more rich at heart than anyone who goes in just for the paycheck. More of us should tell that to the public when they throw off on our salaries.

I am currently enrolled in a BSN program and so I don't know how much my view will be of help to you but here's why I am looking toward pediatric nursing when I graduate. There are all different kinds of children in the world ranging all across the spectrum but they all have one thing in common; they are children. They are nearly helpless in some cases, they need someone to advocate for them, to be their voice, to help them through whatever it is their going through. Nursing involves empathy. It is easy to have sympathy for a child over an adult, I mean it's human nature. But to have empathy for a child, to want to help them help themselves so to speak, is something that takes a strong heart and mind but is so rewarding in return. Ex: emergency room, two patients separated by a curtain. One a 35 yr old man getting a shot. The other a 3 yr old getting stiches. The man makes more of a commotion and throws a fit louder than the three year old who with an attentive nurse gets through the shot without much more than a little wince. I don't have empathy for the man, but I do for the child.

Thanks for all your input! I was focusing on pediatrics or labor and delivery so it seems I'm in the right direction.

I am a third year Bachelor Nursing student with a great interest in genetics. After graduating the nursing program I plan on going for my Master's in Genetic Counseling. I've taken a few genetics courses and I read articles and books about different disorders in my free time and I find it absolutely fascinating. I find myself wondering what would be the closest facet to genetics in the nursing field. Could anybody give me their input?