melliemel22936
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"If I had to it would ONLY be on a L&D/Mother Baby unit. I have no desire for a position in an ICU or ED. I can handle an emergent situation here and there but do not want to be constantly "on high alert" or running all the time from one emergency to another." Having been a L&D/Mother Baby nurse for the past 12 years, I can tell you it's not all rainbows and unicorns! When a labor patient or newborn goes south, it happens fast and you need to be ready. I have personally been involved with multiple newborn resuscitations, emergent c-sections, and postpartum hemorrhages. Get some experience in the hospital and then figure out where to go from there. I graduated nursing school at 40 with an ADN and started out in the NICU. I said I would NEVER do mother/baby nursing. All I wanted to do was take care of sick babies. Well, 1 1/2 years later I got a job at another hospital with a level 2 NICU, but also had to learn postpartum nursing. I actually really enjoyed it! Ultimately I received my BSN (at 50) and MSN (at 53) and am now an instructor in Women's Health at a major university and have never been happier! I guess my point is, don't count anything out before you give it a try. Good luck!
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BEST COMMENT EVER!!! Thank you so much for this. I think I will at least get a CNS or NP. And then if it turns out a DNP is required I'll just continue on. Thanks for the motivation!
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Do you mind if I ask why you got your DNP? I think I would choose a DNP over a PhD. Although I love teaching, I'm missing patient care.
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Thanks for the reply!
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Spend some time away from work with your coworkers. Drinks after a shift, ladies night out, movie night, etc.. It gives you a chance to really know who you work with and it helps you all to really work as a team when on the unit together.
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I also tried the CNA route but found waiting tables a much better fit with nursing school. I worked lunch shifts on the days I didn't have class or clinicals and also picked up a Friday and/or Saturday night shift. Made more money working half the time!
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First of all, you are NEVER too old to learn! I started nursing school at 38 and got my ADN. I worked as a nurse for 9 years and decided to get my BSN, which I did online over 18 months (I am now 51). I am currently in an online graduate program so that I can get my Masters in Nursing Education. There are so many programs available now, so once you get that RN you can go as far as you want! I worked part time during nursing school, and full time while getting my BSN. I'm currently working full time while in grad school. The only thing I would suggest is that you enroll in an RN program as opposed to an LPN program. If this is what you want to do, then go for it! Good luck!