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Good Morning,
I am contimplating going back to school to be a nurse in the near future, and was wondering if anyone is willing to share any expectations I should have about choosing this as my career? Realistically, how many hours does one work a week, what are the shift times like, what is the pay like (if you're comfortable sharing), how hard is it to get into your preferred speciality (I'd like to L&D)? Any information is appriciated. I just don't want to go into this with rose colored glasses. I am also a single mother with no other parent in the picture, so am I crazy for wanting to go into nursing?
I don't mean to be contrary to tutulisewa, but when I was trying to make the decision whether or not to pursue nursing, it was the negative posts that helped me the most. I would puruse this website looking for the rants, the vents, and the most negative posts. My reasoning was I figured I could handle the good stuff. Everybody enjoys good stuff. Whether or not I felt I could handle the bad stuff determined my decision to pursue nursing or not pursue nursing.
I'm not a nurse yet. In fact, I won't be taking the entrance exam for my chosen program until next month. But after reading about some of the worst aspects of the profession on AllNurses, I go into that exam, and into my program, knowing the possibilities I face and prepared to handle them all.
Having said all that, I will agree that after all the negative, it is nice to read a positive things sometimes, too.
Actually, looking at all the negatives - like Blue Felt Fedora - is a great way to make any important decision. first examine all of the "worst case scenario" stuff and then ask yourself - "could I live with this?" If the answer is "yes" - then go for it!
It's the folks who make a decision based on all the idealistic & wonderful outcomes that they anticipate (unicorns & sparkly rainbows) that end up burned out and disappointed.
(edited to add) Critical thinking is an essential nursing skill. This requires obtaining accurate information rather than simply accepting 'hearsay' or mistaking opinions for facts. Critical thinkers will realize that on AN (like most public forums) many posts are triggered by negative emotions or reaction to a series of events that are specific to that individual... and cannot really be generalized. In other words - Your Mileage May Vary
ktwlpn, LPN
3,844 Posts
Do some research into your local job market.Start reading the want ads for nurses in your area.In my local paper I have not seen anything( for an RN or LPN) full time within a 90 min commutein months.There are plenty of agency positions but all are "as needed" in a variety of settings.Just remember that nursing is a 24 hour a day,seven days a week year around commitmen .Don't accept an entry level position and not expect to work your share of Christmas days.....