Should i join this field?

Lola34 · Feb 12, 2012

how do i know if i am doing the right thing? I got my GED and started college early, im a freshman in college and i think i want to become a LPN. But i don't know if i really do! How can i be for sure if i want to do this? I want a steady job with nice pay that i'll be happy doing. and i can't think of a better field than nursing. The nursing program starts soon and i have to make up my mind! I just dont want to start it, and turns out i hate it; ya know? So i was wondering for all the other nurses out there....how did you know that you wanted to become a nurse? Are you happy doing it? Down falls? Regrets?I want to become an LPN, then eventually move onto become an RN. I would love to become a head nurse or something. I just need some advice please...

Lola34 · Feb 12, 2012

Have you though about volunteering at a hospital or asking to shadow a nurse?

kasigirl99 · Feb 12, 2012

"

have you though about volunteering at a hospital or asking to shadow a nurse?"

i have; but sadly, there is a 2 year waiting list for that. i just dont have an extra 2 years that i can waste. shoot the lpn only takes 1 haha. i could become an lpn before i even got to volunteer; and at that point, i'd be getting paid $20 to work instead of volunteer!

i looked up what an lpn does and it sounds like i could do it. but i guess nobody knows for sure right?

Lola34 · Feb 15, 2012

Maybe you can post your questions in the nurse forum so you could get feedback from those already in the profession. Good luck!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

First, I'm wondering when you say "the LPN program begins soon", does that mean you'd be willing to quit college in order to enroll? A normal college courseload in unrelated subjects while studying in an LPN program is not feasible.

You also mentioned a 2-year waiting list to volunteer or shadow a nurse (not sure exactly what that means?) but I've never heard of a waiting list for such a thing. Certainly if you took a 6-week course to become a CNA and get yourself acquainted with the basics of patient care, you could get a part-time job while in school. And you'd see if you even LIKE patient care. I also suppose it must depend greatly on where you live, but $20 as a new grad LPN might not be realistic.

I think the reason you're unsure right now is because you don't know what an LPN does versus what an RN does, and in what settings. You need to have an idea about the limits and expectations of each license, and where and how each is employed before making such a choice. Additionally, saying you'd "love to become a head nurse or something" tells me that you have no real understanding of just what that means. I'm not saying that as a put-down, honestly, just that since "head nurse" is a term you tend to see on TV rather than real-life, your imagery of a nurse might be more media-generated than from reality.

I would suggest meeting with a career counselor at your school or, better yet, one of the instructors/admission counselor for the nursing program (if you have an RN program at your college, start there). If not, meet with the same person at the LPN school. Go to the local hospital and see if you can meet with the nurse recruiter, so he/she can tell you what they look for in a new hire, and whether they hire LPNs. Think about what it is that makes you think nursing would be a good choice for you, and talk about that when you meet these people. They'll be in a better position to see if you're being realistic, or dreaming.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 20, 2012

Two posts and disappears. Glad I took the time on this one.

lovelyb26 · Feb 24, 2012

lol gee wiz, you scared her off.

Should i join this field?

Should i become an LPN?