mrspolly

Esme12, Yes I did post a different thread about the "not so clean" parts of nursing. However, what I said was that everytime I mentioned nursing to friends/family that was their first comments, about how "gross" it was. I was totally prepared to have to handle those things, but I was starting to worry that it would be all the time, with the kinds of comments I was getting. So, that's why I asked. I thought, "who better to ask than those of you in the actual field." The rest of your post highlights one of the reasons I am shying away from nursing. Among other reasons, I don't like the job prospects I am hearing from all of you here. I have done lots of research on the topic. I think we all need to remember that the almost every industry is facing really hard times right now. There aren't any areas I can really think of that are dying to find qualified workers. So, while I get that nursing is hard to break into, I think most other areas are hard for new grads as well. I am just going to pick the field that suits me best and do all I can to stand out....and then cross my fingers and toes!

Thanks so much for everything here! You nailed it on the head! I am in self-discovery mode lately...trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! I am definitely a realist. No starry-eyed syndrome here. If anything, I am way to practical and sensible. I find it difficult to just take a leap of faith. I need to know details and work out all the cobwebs in my brain. Your post was very kind. Thanks!

Yes, at first glance I thought, "3 12's a week, I can handle that!" But then upon further thought, I realized I'd miss out on gymnastics practices and baseball games and family dinners 3 times a week. Not to mention missing out on every-other wknd and holidays as well. In a more typical work week, I would be home each night with my family. I would be available to help with homework and make dinner and not get home as they are all headed to bed. For instance, as a teacher, I would have the same schedule as my children, I would be done working by 3-4pm, I would have every holiday and weekend off with them, not to mention summer break, christmas break and spring break. Oh and I have a husband to help with school drop off and pick, if it's needed. There are options out there, I am just exploring them all. Finding what fits for what's most important to me and my fam!

Sueall, funny you should mention teaching! That is actually my other idea. I think the more I think about it, the more I am going to have to leave the idea of nursing behind I really thought it may be the answer to my future, but the more I weigh the pros/cons, the more I see that it just may not be the correct fit for me. I do think I would love the actual work, it's just everything else about it (the gruelling and expensive schooling, how hard it is to find a new grad position, the stress of the job, the hours and schedule, and the fact that most nurses I've heard from seem to really dislike their jobs) that doesn't make it the best choice at this time in my life. If I were 18 again, just starting college, I would go for it, but I don't have the luxury of time and selflessness anymore. It's more of a family decision and not so much a personal one. I really do love this forum and all that I've learned from reading all these great posts. I don't think I could have come to this conclusion so quickly otherwise. So, anyone know anything about teaching!?!? :)

Thank you Elladora! I am the type of person to question everything before making a decision! I hear wayyyy to many nurses say "they wish they had known what nursing was really like before choosing this profession!" I don't want to regret this decision. This would be a second career for me, and going back to school for another Bachelor's degree is not something I take lightly!

Yes, thank you! Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I do understand. Sounds like I have two options on either end of the spectrum.... 1. Be an MA and do menial "nursing" but have a regular schedule and low-stress environment 2. Go for the RN and work the obligitory 2-3 years FT at a hospital to gain enough experience to then possibly move on to other areas. I appreciate all your comments!

I am interested in hospital nursing, but I'm not sure I'd be interested in working FT at this point. Is a part time job hard to come by as a new grad? Is per diem a set-your-own-hours kind of deal or does someone just call you in on days they need help? Also, how does part time work with wknd and holidays? If you work part time or per diem, I'd love to hear from you!!!

I am not 100% against hospital nursing, in fact, it was my first thought when I started looking into nursing as an option. I love the idea of the more challenging environment. I think I would love to work in OB or Pediatrics. I don't want to be stuck taking blood pressures and weights for the rest of my career, but I figured there may be some challenging options in nursing in the doctor's office side of things. It may just be wishful thinking on my part. To be honest, I was all about hospital nursing until I really started reading the comments on this site. I have read so many people talk about how miserable hospital nursing is. From the long hours, understaffed crew, mistreatment from doctors/co-workers/patients to how hard it is to find a new grad position and how stressful the shifts are. I am at a serious cross roads here! UGH!!!

Thank you to those that responded and gave great feedback. I am struggling with the decision and am exploring all possible paths. Money is not necessarily my deal-breaker. I am a SAHM now, with a BA degree. Looking to switch professions once my children are both in elementary school. As all parents can relate, I am sure, I am trying to make the best decision for our family. One I can both enjoy and won't sacrafice our family time too radically. I appologize if I appeared "entitled" that's not the case in the least. I am simply just trying to get to the bottom of the healthcare field. It may or may not be the correct career path for me, but it's worth asking some questions, no? I am interested in science, health, helping others, working with children/babies, educating others, etc. I figured nursing may be a good fit for me. I am a natural nuturer. I will look in Medical Assistants and continue to explore the LPN and RN routes.

While I do understand that most nursing gigs are hospital-based, there are still a lot of nurses working in other types of positions. I want to be a nurse for the same reasons everyone else chooses the profession...I enjoy caring for others, I want to have a positive impact on the world, it's a field with many diverse areas to move and challenge myself, and it's not a boring desk job. Really, I was just wondering my best course of action for working in the doctor's office environment. I am fully aware that I may not get the worlds-most-perfect-job right out of school, but my overall goal would be this and was looking for advice on achieving such a goal.

The reason I have ruled it out (at this point in my life) is because I don't believe the schedule would work for my family. Maybe one day when my children are older and more self-seficient I can dedicate 3 12-hour shifts to work. Not to mention the wknd and holiday hours. That is not my ideal schedule with a young family at home. So, I am heading in the direction of working in a doctor's office, with more typical working hours. I am wondering if I should start with the LPN program, or head to the ASN or BSN.

I have ruled out hospital RN jobs due to many factors. I am interested in working in a doctor's office as a nurse. Which degree should I go for? What are the majority looking for? Thanks!

Hello Nurses! I am strongly considering going back to school for Nursing. As I tell my friends and family my idea, I get the usual comments about how gross it is. I am aware that there is a fair amount of time dealing with bodily fluids and such, but can you give me a better idea of it. Do you constantly have to clean up vomit, urine, feces, blood, etc? Do you have to change and wipe the behinds of adults a lot? I am primarily interested in Pediatrics and Women's Health, so I realize that that area may have a different set of "gross" things to handle. Can you shed some light on this subject for me? Thank you!