Zysa

Are you still in the LPN to RN program or did you already complete it? I'm very glad it worked out well for you! For me, it's less of a "don't want to be", and more of a "I know it's a rewarding, but difficult job so I'm hesitant". There may be a very slight aversion to it because of the experiences I had as a patient, a new nurse once accidentally skipped a pain medication dose and I woke up screaming. She was SO upset and apologetic but she still got fired. And before that, when I was 3 months old and in post-op, a nurse gave me a dose of morphine, didn't record it, and then another nurse came in and gave me a second dose of morphine, which ended up in defibrillation and a adrenaline shot or two. Still here, though! I know, too much detail, but the idea of having a real honest mistake put someone in direct harm is stressful! I don't know how you do it, I bet you had good teachers!

I was referring to the actual coursework that can be completed online, but I didn't make that clear. I'm completely aware that there is additional work needed to become an LPN, and I did not mean to imply that becoming one is a quick and easy task. As for those 'plenty of people', I am very happy for them working hard and accomplishing something! Unfortunately, I have a set of very real, very valid problems that make it absolutely essential that I make smart life decisions right now. If I were pessimistic, nothing would get done! That isn't the case. I have to be aware of my own limitations and constraints. I appreciate your concern.

I didn't exactly dream about being a nurse as a little girl, but I don't think that's a disqualifier. Conversations overheard from 20-something nursing students at my community college suggest that it's not exactly a everyone's dream job either (it's actually quite scary how these future nurses talk about their jobs. I feel awful for their future patients). I would ultimately desire a job as a social worker, but I don't have any financial support through or after college, so I have to be able to work and support myself entirely through college, and then get a job so that I can work on paying off the debt. I care about people too much to be careless or mediocre in anything I do that will affect someone directly. I have to weigh my decisions carefully, and a BSN seems a little bit too... risky? Not to mention, how long would that take me? I have to work full time to support myself. Parents are out of the picture. There aren't enough hours in the week for me to be a full time worker and a full time student. One is an option and a luxury, and one isn't, I don't get to choose. It's a real dilemma.

Hey all, I'm a 17 year old college student. I was born with a severe birth defect and have had 20+ surgeries, and spent more than my fair share of time in hospitals. I completely understand the importance of nurses and respect the field immensely. However- let's face it. My current career/financial outlook is not so hot, and this goes for my entire generation. The myth that a college education is a one way ticket to a stable and accommodating career has been dispelled a long time ago. That being said- and I cannot phrase this in any other way that could make it sound better- Is a diploma from some 12 month online "college" worth it? What kind of specialties are there that you could get into that pay better? Do bigger cities pay more? I live in Florida. Everyone here is getting their bare minimum nursing degrees and working in retirement homes, making $10.00/hr. Personally, I'd rather keep my job at Subway. So I guess what I'm asking is... Is there any hope? Any advice? Nursing would never have been my first option, but I need to be able to survive.