rona

Hi everyone! I've just completed my first semester of the nursing program, and I've been exposed to soooooo many different aspects of nursing, that I'm almost confused. I mean...one day I precepted with the hospice nurse and loved it. Another day I worked in the post-op unit and loved that. A majority of the semester was spent floating from Orthopedics, to Rehab and to Tele, and needless to say, I enjoyed working with patients and nurses in all those units. Next semester I'll be doing critical care nursing and mental health nursing, and then 3rd semester is peds and community health nursing. By the 4th semester I will have to know where I want to work b/c by that time I'll be precepting with a nurse! My aunt tells me that telemetry is a good place to start after I graduate, but at the same time, I've always been interested with pediatrics. How did all of you nurses and students find your special "place" in the vast field of nursing? It just seems there's so much to choose from! Thanks for your reply! -rona

Hi Barrybender. Well, I just completed my first semester of the nursing program at a University, and I have learned that the BSN track is more theory based and the ADN program is more technical and skills focused. I don't know if that means anything to you, but when planning your education, keep in mind that although the ADN program was made to be faster than the BSN program, it's actually about the same amount of time when you take into account the same prerequisites you must complete (with the exception of a few clases i.e. organic chem, stats). My mother is an RN who graduated from a community college, and she has friends who are back in school taking organic chem and other prerequisite classes (that are not required with the ADN) so that they can enter the RN-to-BSN track to receive their bachelor's degree. My suggestion is that you get your BSN the first time around. And if money is an issue, you can always complete the first 2 or 3 semesters at the community college and then transfer to the university during your 4th semester. I hope this helps! Good luck to you!