Thinking about becoming a nurse.

bethanne miller · Jul 5, 2005

I beleive nurses are born and not made. people are drawn into nursing for the wrong reasons.( like money) .... as of the old saying ( money talks ) I can always tell a nurse that is born into it and someone that is in it for the money.

Nurses managers are good at telling people what they want to hear. It is part of their management skills. You must listen to your heart and go with what you feel. Do not let anyone else influence your decision to go into nursing. Think about it. You are in administration. You don't do direct patient care. How can a nurse manager or anyone else know anything about you as far as to say " you should go into nursing". I know there is more to nursing than direct patient care BUT you have to start there. The best nurses I have ever worked with are the ones who were nurses aids first . then became LPN's then became RN's.

How long does it take? Again, that is up to you. ADN, BSN , MSN. All programs are different. Check the schools out. interview them .

You cannot always pick you area of speciality right off the get-go. Where I work the specialities are hard jobs to comeby b/c they are the better jobs to have so the nurses stay in their positions. If you see a unit with a large number of turnovers, you can bet there is a problem. Don't ask the unit supervisor or the manager. Ask a worker - bee if you want the truth.

Not all new grads get stuck with the night shifts.

I can say that where I work the staff is nickel and dimed to death. What I mean mostly is : staffing. (However there are many more ways I will just use this example) The bosses staff to the bare minimum. To save money. I signed up for 40 hours a week. I never get 40 hrs b/c if the census drops and you are not needed, you go home. My hospital advertises 2 weeks paid vacation a yr. I have never been paid for a vacation yet b/c I use up my accrued time being called off .

Most of the things I dislike about nursing have nothing to do with nursing , it is all because of what administrators have done to it. Nursing can be rewarding . Most of the time is self rewarding in you own heart. There is no reward ( most of the time) from the bosses. Most of us feel we are just a warm body that makes their statistics look good. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I am not in administration.... obviously

his is my 1st post here. I was actually referred by someone from another forum site to come here.

Here's my deal. I currently work in Administration at a well known cancer research hospital. I actually really like what I do but in recent months I have found myself feeling like I've come to a cross roads in my life.

I work with a lot of Nurse Managers and Directors at this hospital and countless times they have told me, "you need to go to nursing school." The funny thing is that I actually have been told this at other times in my life. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be in a career that helps people. In my current job I help people in their jobs (HR related) and I like what I do. Initially I wanted to be a therapist, particularly treating people with eating disorders. However, I found that it hit too close to home for me (10 + year anorexia sufferer). Suddenly though when one of my Nurse Managers said this AGAIN to me, the idea stuck in my head.

About a year ago I gave birth to my son and was completely inspired by the Labor & Delivery nurses. If I were to go into the profession I would consider this area.

I have a few questions that I hope someone could help with...

(1) How long does it take to become an RN?

(2) Once you do become an RN can you pick and chose your area of work you want to concentrate in (like L&D?)

(3) Do all RNs have to start out working nights?

(4) What are the things that most people DON'T know (or realize) once they become an RN that may be difficult?

Thank you in advance!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

(1) how long does it take to become an rn? two to four years, depending on if you get an adn or a bsn and how many pre-reqs and co-reqs you have to take

(2) once you do become an rn can you pick and chose your area of work you want to concentrate in (like l&d?)yes, you can pick which area you want to go into after you graduate, providing there are openings. in some areas l&d is hard to get.

(3) do all rns have to start out working nights? no. again it's about the availablility. nights may be all they have at that particular moment in time, but i don't think it's mandatory. i started out on a day/evening rotation when i graduated.

(4) what are the things that most people don't know (or realize) once they become an rn that may be difficult?it's a completely totally different world, and this is hard to answer. first of all, i don't think most people appreciate how difficult it is to become an rn, that's usually an eye opener, how time consuming school is.

good luck to you!

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 5, 2005

Tweety did a great job answering you. I just wanted to welcome you to allnurses.com! Keep asking anything you want, we will help you as much as possible.

anglfaith1 · Jul 5, 2005

Hmmm... well the first reply had me a little discouraged... but I do also appreciate the support.

I know that this would be a huge change in my life. I sometimes sit here and second guess myself on it too. I mean, I am in a steady job now and making good money... so it isn't the money that attracts me.

I know most schools have waiting lists for nursing programs. I am in Southern CA, does anyone know of any good programs here?

The hospital I work in now typically hires their nurses from Azusa Pacific University, Biola University and Mount St. Mary's college.

Thanks again!

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 5, 2005

I would really suggest shadowing real nurses and asking them these questions. Know any? Or have a friend who does? that would be most helpful. I wish you luck, whatever you do decide.

Just for the record, I love what I do. It's not easy and I do get discouraged and upset at times, (the first post does ring true in many ways) but I have indeed found nursing to be what I make of it. And I have NEVER made it my life. That to me, is a critical error so many nurses do make.

Mithrah · Jul 5, 2005

(1) How long does it take to become an RN?

4 years for either an ASN or BSN.

(2) Once you do become an RN can you pick and chose your area of work you want to concentrate in (like L&D?)

Yes, all my friends in my nursing class got what they wanted.

(3) Do all RNs have to start out working nights?

No, I have nursing friends who said they would only work days and got days.

(4) What are the things that most people DON'T know (or realize) once they become an RN that may be difficult?

Dealing with family members of the patient. Working holidays. You may not get any breaks.