Student who is extremely interested in becoming RN but I have a few Q's

[borinick1492]

Well, I am currently a college freshman/sophomore. I really don't know. Because I'm going into school with a lot of credits (AP Classes I received credit for). And I wasn't place in lower level advising. I was placed in upper level advising.

For the last few months I've definitely been trying to narrow down what exactly I want to do with my life. I was extremely interested with Criminal Justice, Accounting, Athletic Training, and Nursing. Yes, very different career paths but I like doing different things and seeing all my options.

I told my adviser that I will be doing Criminal Justice. However, a year or so ago, I was in the hospital because a family member of mine was sick. And I was helping this person out and just trying to comfort them. The nurse looked at me and said I should consider a career in nursing. And I never forgot that. I wanted to do Criminal Justice so I could help people. But I think at the end of the day, nursing would be the best choice for me.

So here are a few of my questions.

Would it be hard to get a job as a RN at a hospital? (Particularly in Florida) I would really love working at a hospital. Working as a school nurse would be cool too but I rather work at a hospital.

What kind of schedule would I have right when I'm starting off? I'm guessing grave yard shift. Which I don't mind since I am a night owl anyway. I prefer to work at night. Plus I'm guessing at a hospital, the job would never be boring.

I read somewhere that I'd start off as an assistant or something. I don't remember the exact wording.

Thank you so much for reading my question and taking the time to answer it!

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi and welcome!

I'm not sure about Florida but in my area up north most of us did start out in hospitals working a variety of shifts. Keep in mind that most nurses work some weekends and holidays. I requested 7am to 7pm which I love and I make $5 an hour more for doing nights. :)

Good luck.

[borinick1492]

Thank you so much! And I guess it sucks having to work holidays but I'll manage. I am in a committed relationship right now. And I honestly think we are going to last. We want a family together and I'm wondering if this is a bad career choice for someone who wants a family. It seems like the shifts can be rough sometimes.

[chloecatrn]

Thank you so much! And I guess it sucks having to work holidays but I'll manage. I am in a committed relationship right now. And I honestly think we are going to last. We want a family together and I'm wondering if this is a bad career choice for someone who wants a family. It seems like the shifts can be rough sometimes.

Most nurses have families. The perk of being a nurse is that, in hospitals, the shifts are usually 12 hours, which means that you work 3 shifts and have four days off a week. If your unit requires weekends, it will likely be every other or every third weekend. Most places have a system for rotating holidays, so that the same person isn't stuck working Christmas 46546897486 years in a row.

Right now, a lot is being made of a job shortage because of the economy. As the economy recovers, the job market will too (hopefully). One of the best things you can do, and not just because it gets your foot in the door, but because it's good experience, is to work as a nursing assistant/patient care technician while you're in school. It helps you to develop some skills and gets you comfortable with the hospital setting.

[borinick1492]

That sounds like a really great idea! I definitely will consider volunteering since I need hours to graduate anyway. 3 days on and four days off sounds pretty good!