Scared to be a nurse, having the responsibility of a life in my hands scares me.

[Cieritaqt, ADN, RN]

I will start nursing school in January 2014. I have been wanting to be a nurse for years, but now that the opportunity is here, I'm having second thoughts. I work in a plumbing office now, and I actually love my job, it's just not much of a career. I am also an on call CNA, but I just do light duty for an elderly patient in home. I am not looking forward to quitting my administrative job to start nursing school, but I know it must be done. I have some fears about nursing. What if I make a medication error and the patient dies? I know I should not be worried about this now, but it seems like a huge risk. Is it likely for a nurse to go to prison for accidentally killing a patient?

Also, I'd be more interested in working an 8-5 job in a doctor's office. Do doctor's offices ususally RN's? I'd love to work in a specialty department treating patients for hepatitus C, or an OBGYN office.

Anyone have advice or experience?

Thank you

[chrisrn24]

I don't mean to be cruel but you really don't sound like you really want to be a nurse. If you don't want to quit your job then why are you going to nursing school?

[Cieritaqt, ADN, RN]

I don't mean to be cruel but you really don't sound like you really want to be a nurse. If you don't want to quit your job then why are you going to nursing school?

hi. You're not cruel, it's okay. I have always had a passion to be a nurse. I've worked at my full time office job for 4 years, and I do love it here. I'd stay here forever, but I want more of a career than this. I make $16 per hour, and get 5 days vacation per year, even the employees who have been there 20 years get 5 days, no sick pay, no dental, ect. I just think I want more than this. I know nursing will be rewarding. I guess I'm just scared to venture out and take risks.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Many physician offices only use MA's right now. Some of the more intense ( Cardiology, Dermatology, etc) use RN's for procedures.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I'm actually GLAD that you are scared of the responsibility. THAT will make you cautious, diligent and respectful of the position you will hold as an RN.

Be absolutely sure that this is what you want- and if it is- JUMP IN!

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

OP, being honest, if you want to work in a doctor's office and want to be a nurse, be an LPN. Most doctor's offices do not hire RNs.

I have to agree with chris's post though (the first reply).

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I work in a doctors office currently as an lvn. We have 3 RNs and one of them is actually the charge nurses. The RNs do phone triage all day and very seldom go in the floor. To give you numbers we have 28 providers, 3 RNs, 10 lvns, and 15 cma.

I agree it sounds like maybe nursing is not for you. Btw I'm working on my rn and have been told by my employer I will start at $24 per hour but that also includes 3 years lvn experience. Don't go into nursing for the money especially if you plan on working in a clinic setting.

[Wannabeeinscrubs, ADN, LPN, RN]

I have always read a nurse that isn't scared, is a dangerous nurse. It is a huge change, change is scary. Think about it, pray about it, research the types of jobs you would want and figure out the right path.

[Ella26, BSN, RN]

At my clinic we have 3 RNs, (I am one of the three, I was an LPN first and stayed on with the clinic as an RN to be charge nurse). We have 2 LPNs, and 5 CMAs. I have your exact same fear, that is why I like working at a clinic as the patients typically are more stable. But that's not to say that they cant die on you there or that you wont make a serious med error. I also room patients and do phone triage. So it depends on your clinic. You might have a harder time finding a clinic RN job with out prior hospital experience-like someone else said they use the RNs for specialized things. Or you might have better luck being an LPN first then stay on at the clinic if you can. But being a nurse in the clinic you definitely get paid less than if you were at a hospital or Long Term Care.