Francesca_H

Oh okay, thank you! I guess what I'm also confused on is...are there prereqs for getting into an LPN program? And also, obviously having a BSN will merit higher income, but would I still be successful as an RN with just an ADN? Thanks!

Hello all! This upcoming fall I'll be starting my sophomore year of college. Currently this summer I am taking a Nursing Assistant course, and hope to be certified by September. My future goal is to eventually become an RN, but the different routes to get there is what's confusing me. Can someone please explain to me the difference between doing an LPN-to-RN bridge program versus a two year RN program? And either way do you end up with an associates degree from both of them, or does the two year get you a BSN? Also, in my current pursuit to get into an RN program I'm trying to figure out how to complete all these science and math prerequisites...is an LPN-to-RN program involving mostly all of the same prereqs, or are there less? Any information/input is appreciated! Thank you!

I completely understand body fluids aren't the only "ugly side" of nursing, and they may seem totally minor compared to various other things, but for me its personal hang up I've had basically my whole life.

Oh okay great, it definitely makes more sense now.

I'm talking about becoming a scrub or circulating nurse.

Also, since you said new grads you know of are being accepted into the OR, I'm a little confused about the schooling. I'm trying to understand if surgical nurses take more courses after completing a typical nursing program including clinicals, or if there is a separate program? Sorry if this sounds weird, I'm just a bit fuzzy on the education requirements!

Oh okay I see. Thanks!

Okay great, thanks for the info. I'm also just wondering about the amount of time or experience it takes to even become a surgical nurse, doesn't it take a while before you can choose a specialty?

Yes, obviously no one enjoys cleaning it up, I understand that. I guess I'm looking for more replies from people who can share actual personal experiences with me, maybe if they've overcame their weak stomachs and how they did it or things related to that. My post was also asking about surgical nursing too, not just about the vomit aspect. Thanks for your input.

I posted the same one yesterday, yes. I've only gotten one reply. I posted it twice because I'm really desperate for some feedback from experienced professionals.

I'm really having trouble deciding if nursing is the career for me. For YEARS, I've dreamt about one day working as a nurse, and my ambitions soared after I started volunteering at my local pediatric hospital. I absolutely LOVE the environment and a few years ago I participated in the Nursing Camp that same hospital offers for young adolescents who want to pursue nursing. The camp was a week long and each day we would be in a different unit of the hospital [Psych, NICU, PICU, Cardio Cath Lab, and OR for example]. It was such a great experience to really see what happened during the day in a specific area, but I fell in love with the operating room. I got to stand in on a few surgeries, and it changed my life. I'm asking for help and advice because for a while I was contemplating just becoming a Surgical Technician so I could immediately start working in an OR and help surgeons. I sort of pushed aside my nursing goal because I had the idea that a Surgical Tech would be easier for me and require a lot less schooling. But then I compared salaries and how limited the technician job is and it made me change my mind. I also learned that the Surgical Techs at the hospital I volunteer at [and someday hope to work at!] only prepare the room for the surgery, then they leave. I want to actually be involved, and that turned me off that career even more. My main issue is I'm nervous for the clinical work, specifically vomit and fecal matter! Blood I can handle, no sweat. But I'm scared that I'll be in over my head and not be able to handle the cleaning/changing of patients, which saddens and worries me. I keep reading posts that many people eventually get over the unpleasant sights and smells, but any other advice or personal experience would be GREATLY appreciated! Can you wear a mask or something when cleaning or dealing with vomit and poop? Just curious. Also, when beginning how long does it typically take to specialize in something, like becoming a surgical nurse. I have to get in that OR eventually! If anyone could explain the process to me, that'd be AWESOME! Sorry for such a long post! Any feedback or comments would be extremely helpful!

Hello all! My name is Francesca [Frankie], and I'm really having trouble deciding if nursing is the career for me. For YEARS, I've dreamt about one day working as a nurse, and my ambitions soared after I started volunteering at my local pediatric hospital. I absolutely LOVE the environment and a few years ago I participated in the Nursing Camp that same hospital offers for young adolescents who want to pursue nursing. The camp was a week long and each day we would be in a different unit of the hospital [Psych, NICU, PICU, Cardio Cath Lab, and OR for example]. It was such a great experience to really see what happened during the day in a specific area, but I fell in love with the operating room. I got to stand in on a few surgeries, and it changed my life. I'm asking for help and advice because for a while I was contemplating just becoming a Surgical Technician so I could immediately start working in an OR and help surgeons. I sort of pushed aside my nursing goal because I had the idea that a Surgical Tech would be easier for me and require a lot less schooling. But then I compared salaries and how limited the technician job is and it made me change my mind. I also learned that the Surgical Techs at the hospital I volunteer at [and someday hope to work at!] only prepare the room for the surgery, then they leave. I want to actually be involved, and that turned me off that career even more. My main issue is I'm nervous for the clinical work, specifically vomit and fecal matter! Blood I can handle, no sweat. But I'm scared that I'll be in over my head and not be able to handle the cleaning/changing of patients, which saddens and worries me. I keep reading posts that many people eventually get over the unpleasant sights and smells, but any other advice or personal experience would be GREATLY appreciated! Can you wear a mask or something when cleaning or dealing with vomit and poop? Just curious. Also, when beginning how long does it typically take to specialize in something, like becoming a surgical nurse. I have to get in that OR eventually! If anyone could explain the process to me, that'd be AWESOME! Sorry for such a long post! Any feedback or comments would be extremely helpful!