Komelika

Oh, and don't forget the transgender 17 year old... Or the gay 17 year old... Or the black 17 year old... or the female black 17 year old... or the Chinese 17 year old... or the any other million possibilities that isn't a 17 year girl. Do you see the point? This can relate to anyone without relating to anyone in particular. If you don't have the sense about you to see that then you should probably consider an entirely different profession with absolutely no contact with people. For all of the great things the internet provides, its absolute worst aspect is the access it provides to ignorant, self centered people who get on the qwerty and rant or complain that if something isn't written to them, personally, with all of their personal views on everything, then it doesn't count and so the writer is open to all who wish to tear them down. The message in the piece is simply an inspirational message to Nurse's who may be struggling or to young people contemplating a career in the field, written by a female who is reflecting on herself as a 17 year old... not you in particular. You probably couldn't be inspired by Ghandi if you aren't bald. Grow up!

"This article may be helpful for those of the Christian persuasion. Not as much for those who aren't. Considering that the fastest growing religious group in the US is "none", perhaps authors should not use secular forums such as this to promote their particular beliefs. Especially since many clients don't share those beliefs and find it insulting when nurses assume they do. Just sayin'" Southernseeker, suppose the world took your advice and left all personal persuasions out of literature for fear of offending people like you who don't believe the same, who don't feel the same, or don't appreciate the experience of others regardless of their backgrounds? There would be no literature... period. Fortunately, you're in the minority with your mindset, but I fear your numbers in the PC parade are growing. Why not try tolerance instead of being so sensitive? You beg the world to consider your sensitivities and stand up with your air of superiority when the world doesn't stop to consider the millions of view points before speaking, writing, or thinking? No wonder the world is so divided when so many are quick to minimize another because of any difference at all. Shame on you for being too bigoted that you can't even see that you are part of the problem. If you are so easily offended then you will always be offended and thus you will always be unhappy. You clearly missed the intent of the article, Roy. you should go back and reread it.

Thanks for the advice, Jaennine. Much appreciated! I've been mulling this over since July or August and still haven't made a decision. I can honestly say I haven't experienced a "calling" for any career that I have explored. I do, however, think I can be successful in nursing. I like that the field is wide open when it comes to the directions it can take you. It looks like the layoffs are imminent. Nothing announced yet, but plenty of talk from people who know people in the decision making department. I should know within the next 3 months whether I stay and prepare for the next one, or go and prepare for college, again. Wish me luck either way!

So far I haven't seen anyone tell someone they aren't cut out for nursing, regardless of background and previous career experiences. I've been looking into it due to the fact that the factory that I work in is slowly winding down and I am eventually going to lose my job via either layoffs or plant closure. On one hand I'm scared to death to lose my job because I make great money and have excellent benefits, but the more I look into nursing the more excited I get to make the change. My job is very mundane! In the 1st half of my career I was able to move around and work on different semiconductor manufacturing equipment on new teams so the change and learning process was invigorating at the time that I needed it. The last 7 years I have been locked down doing the same thing and its to the point that it is about to drive me crazy. What appeals to me about nursing is that there are so many different career paths. It seems that there is ample opportunity to move around and experience different aspects of nursing if and when you feel bogged down. I'm not saying I hope to get laid off this round, but if I do then I am more excited by the idea of changing than I am afraid of it. Even if I make it 4-5 more years then I think I will still make the change, but with no house payment!!!

Does anyone have any experience with the VA? I'm interested in the VA because I have a 10 point veteran preference and I like the idea of a 20 year retirement. If I get laid off this year then I will likely be 44-45 before I am ready to begin my new career, which will put me in my mid 60's with a pension and my 401K. Is it difficult to get in with the VA straight out of nursing school? Thanks

Thanks for the advice HouTx. I can see your points for sure. I have a strong personality, but I can control myself too. When I have had issues with co-workers in the past it is generally due to working in a competitive workplace where some people think being louder makes them right. I can and will admit when I lack knowledge on a subject, but in my field many people tend to think it is better to make something up than to not have an answer, especially when very often the people whom ask the questions aren't well versed in the subject and can be fooled. When I see that I will call them on it and that often leads to disrespectful attitudes. I think I could empathize with grumpy patients given their circumstances. I'm sure most nurses have to have thick skin. I can see arrogant doctors being a pain in the ass, but I've dealt with arrogant engineers for the past 15 years too so I think I can manage. I've read that many doctors will actually treat male nurses differently and with more respect than female nurses. Has that been your experience? I have a couple distant aunt's and even a half sister that is a nurse and I know they deserve all the respect in the world.

Cangrats on being driven! I'm not a nurse, but I am researching the field and I have a good friend who is a nurse. He says that BSN is the way to go. The reason being that nursing is getting very competitive and many hospitals are requiring BSN. The hospital where he works is aiming for 80-85% BSN by 2016. He says they will hire ADN, but requires the new hire sign a contract to complete their BSN within 5 years of hire. If I were you, like others have said, I would get my prereqs at a CC and transfer. Some CC offer ADN nursing programs. If you could get your ADN there and then transfer to a BSN program even better in terms of costs. To really set yourself apart from your competition you might consider volunteering at local hospitals during any school breaks. You'll gain valuable insight and show that you're driven and your time as a volunteer may be counted as experience when you find yourself with a BSN in the job market. Good luck! I hope my daughter is that focused as a Junior!

I've worked 12 hour shifts for the past 15 years (11 years on nights). Before raising two kids I probably would have had a problem with some aspects of nursing, but after wiping butts for so many years I think I can deal with it. As far as blood and guts, when my daughter was born 8 years ago I was the guy that was playing with the placenta! LOL. I mean, how often do you get to see that! To this day that I can't believe how soft it was.

Hi all. I'm considering a change to the medical field and I have a few questions about nursing and I'm curious as to how much experience is needed to get hired as an RN in the VA healthcare system. I am not an RN, but I am likely facing a career change in the near future due to coming lay offs. In previous layoffs, affected employees have successfully petitioned for Trade Agreement Assistance (TAA) benefits through the federal government since their positions have been considered outsourced to overseas employees. This is a great benefit that pays for their re-education. I expect that I will be able to take advantage of TAA if I am let go. I am a veteran with a 10 point veteran preference. So a little background. So yeah, I'm about to be 42 and after working at a great company in a historically cyclical tech industry for the last 15 years it looks like the ride is likely coming to an end in the near to not too distant future. We've gone through several rounds of layoffs in the past 15 years and I've been fortunate to stay on. I've even managed to get promoted to the top pay grade, which has kept me safe from previous layoffs, but unfortunately it looks like they are going to cut from the top this time. In previous layoffs they focused on lower level employees with performance and disciplinary problems, but for reasons I won't get into the new management is more focused on high pay grades to reduce the overall payroll. My problem is there are very few comparable jobs in my very poor State and the job pool for those jobs is ever increasing as highly qualified people leave my company. If I get laid off I actually would prefer to change fields and find something with more job security. Medical immediately comes to mind. Frankly, the challenge of going back to school is exciting. I have some concerns though. I've read all the negatives of male nursing. My wife works in a hospital in a support (non medical) position and she says the nurses are mostly miserable! That probably isn't always the case, but I hear it a lot from people in the nursing field. Am I cut out to be a nurse? Maybe a nurse can tell me... I would consider myself to be pragmatic. I've never considered myself an expert at anything, but more of a mile wide inch deep kind of person. I like ideas and exploring topics, but usually I dig deep enough to satisfy my interest before moving on to other ideas and interests. I like working with my hands and I'm very mechanically inclined. I like to build things. I like welding as a hobby. I like figuring how to make an idea work using things I have on hand. I am definitely not organized (to my wife's dismay), but I am able to work in an organized environment (just don't look at my garage). I'm not a techy or computer savvy, but I have made a good living maintaining and repairing high end, complex electro-mechanical systems. I have a Bachelors in Business Management, but no management experience although I tend to gravitate toward leadership roles on the teams that I work within. Generally speaking, I work well with others, but if I'm being honest I have to admit that I can be a little strong headed (maybe even a little opinionated), which can and sometimes has lead to conflict with similar personalities. I'd say I do well unless I feel disrespected or condescended. I usually go with the flow, but I sometimes feel like I can be too direct when confronting a problem. Then I'm told that people respect me because I do confront problems instead of avoiding them. So how does all that fit in with the possibility of being a nurse? Thanks in advance for any advice.