Thinking of going into nursing and need advice

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Hi Everyone, I am in my 30's and decided to change careers. Originally I was looking into and signed up to become a physical therapist assistant but the school Im attending is trying to take advantage of students and basically lie themselves all the way to the bank. So I am now looking into changing schools and possibly a career in nursing. I know I would not be a good fit for say an ER but a pediatricians office, psychiatric centers, small clinics and such I think would be great. Please fill me in on the pros and cons of becoming a nurse this late in life. In a doctors office or outpatient setting how gory does it get? I dont think I can handle bones sticking out of limbs and flesh hanging out. lol. But I do sincerely want a career where I can help people and make a difference. Please give me any advice you have. Do you think nursing could be the dream job Im looking for? Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Are you aiming for RN or LP/VN? If RN, are you interested in ADN or BSN? Have you already completed your pre-requisite courses? If you can clarify, it will ensure that the advice provided will be relevant and helpful for you.

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Hi, I was hoping for RN. I have an associates already but no medical experience. I am currently enrolled in a PTA program and all I needed to complete as far as additional prerequisites was AP1 & 2. Im not sure how different RN prerequisites are from Physical Therapy prerequisites. I assume I will have to do an ADN but may only need the core classes? Thank you for any information!

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Do you think nursing could be the dream job Im looking for? Thanks!

There are no "dream jobs," especially not nursing.

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lol. I know that. But I want to help people,and make decent money doing so. I've done insurance for 9 years and was not happy. I want a career that makes a difference. What do you think are the best and worst things about being a nurse? Thank you!

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I'm in the same boat. Late twenties and needing a career change. I have my B.A. in psychology so I would do an accelerated bachelors of nursing as well. I've been mulling over careers and I'm thinking of nursing or counseling. I've done a LOT of research about the process and wanted to warn you about the whole E.R./hospital thing. I'm sure an actual nurse can verify or maybe give different advice but from what I've learned off these website forums here on allnurses, and multiple other google searches is that the job you get out of nursing will most likely be working in a hospital. Until you get AT LEAST one year of experience they don't normally hire fresh out of school nurses for primary care doctor offices, clinics, etc. And it will most likely be a 12 hour shift starting with weekends/holidays until you're there at least a year. I could be wrong but I would just look into that if I were you since you emphasized you would not want to do E.R. or hospital type work. I feel the same way though, I would rather work in a small clinic as well.

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Hi AThom126, thanks. I figured one of my clinical rotations at least would be in a hospital doing some not so fun grunt work, but it would only be temporary. Ive heard from a relative back when she was a nurse they had them watch a surgery and some girls in class were throwing up and passing out. So, I know there is a good chance in the beginning it will be miserable. She also said the higher up nurses/staff will be making the newbie do bedpans and nasty dressing changes to (A) get us used to it and (B) sometimes nurses are very nasty and catty towards new nurses and try to make life harder for them. But after the first year Im hoping a nice little office without guts and gore will be my home.

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I heard about the whole nurse social status too! I'm glad you said that new nurses would be doing the bed pans and dressings because in my head I was thinking Nurse Assistant's do those kinds of things but you're right, every nurse is going to get their hands dirty. I'm applying to Duke and NCCU right now. The pre reqs are the only things delaying me and I hate that I have to wait another year to actually start.I would rather change careers sooner rather than later but hopefully in a couple years we can look back at this post and go well, it was definitely worth it.

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