Suggestions Needed for One Starting Out

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After many years of knowing what I wanted to do, I turned in my application to nursing school. I have a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, but I had always wanted to go into nursing. My mom was a nurse, but she told me that I couldn't do it... I've resented her for saying that every time I open the page and look at all the jobs for nursing, every time I've visited a hospital and seen all the hard work that nurses do. I don't have any idealistic thoughts about nursing. I work as a labor doula (professional childbirth assistant) and know firsthand the work of the nurse.

My mom has recently had a change of heart, and it's with her blessings I've turned in my application to a BSN program. However, as I was walking out of the nursing office at the university, I looked at all the haggered students and briefly thought, "Exactly what am I possibly getting in to??"

Could someone suggest a good book for a student nurse? Something that encompasses the essence of nursing, one that explains all the areas that nurses can work in, what to expect during the first year of nursing school and beyond, the pros and cons of being a nurse, the differences in scope of practice between a BSN and a ADN (I'm applying to a school that offers that degree as well - that will be later this year), etc. If someone could recommend such a book to me, I'd be extremely grateful. I've looked online at some books at Amazon, and they didn't seem to be the ones I was looking for. I thought I'd ask a group of people who knew the field, and maybe you all would know what I'm looking for.

FWIW, I plan on going to get my BSN (if I make it into this school - they accept 25 students a year with 100+ applying - that's why I'm also applying for the ADN school), and afterwards I'd love to work in L&D, NICU, Nursery, or Mother/Baby (in that order). However, I feel that I'm possibly overlooking other opportunities outside of the hospital. That's why I'd like a book that can explain some of the opportunities outside of hospital work - everything NURSING.

Thank you to all that reply. I REALLY appreciate it!

Katherine

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Here's a web site that I've found extremely helpful:

http://www.nursingspectrum.com/CareerManagement/ManagingYourCareer/index.htm

Also, I'd highly recommend Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul. On those days when I question my sanity for chosing this profession (like the ones that end in "y"), I pick it up, turn to a random page, and remember why I'm doing this.

Good luck!

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If you already have a bachelors degree you can usually get a masters in nursing at some schools as well just by taking a couple extra classes. Just throwing that out there...my mom is a teacher and is always wanting to get into nursing and I always tell her to get her masters in nursing.

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If you already have a bachelors degree you can usually get a masters in nursing at some schools as well just by taking a couple extra classes. Just throwing that out there...my mom is a teacher and is always wanting to get into nursing and I always tell her to get her masters in nursing.

Rainbow (can't remember part of your first name, sorry! :)) I would go that way, but we don't have a school like that in the city that I live in (Tulsa). I would have to go to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. That's about 120 miles from here and I'm not in a position where I could move down there. But hey, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I lived in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, we don't have any accelerated BSN programs around here.

I'm feeling kind of down about this. Let me explain: my first few years of college were very bad. My grades were horrible. I managed to transfer to a community college where I eeked out a "C" average while getting my grades up to attend the school where I got my B.S. However, my grades in my Jr. and Sr. years were quite good. I earned a 3.5 on my Jr. and Sr. level classes.

I've put in an application for a BSN program. I really hope that they look at my overall transcript, especially my last several semesters which were good. I've been reading this afternoon about the BSN eventually becoming the entry-level degree for nursing and that has me bummed. :o Like I said, I'm putting in an application at a school where I can get an ADN, but then I'd have to go back to school eventually to get my BSN.

I REALLY hope I can get into this BSN program. However, they only take 25 students out of 100+ who apply. I don't think my chances are that great.

I don't know. Maybe I should just get my ADN and go on later to get my BSN. I don't know how my boyfriend will respond to that (we might be getting married). It's just all a little overwhelming right now. It's just today, and I know it will pass and I don't regret choosing nursing as a career.

I just wish I had done this about 10 years ago.

Katherine

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