Thinking about nursing and have some questions

[ConsideringBSN/MSN]

Hello, all:

I have been considering a career switch to nursing (I am currently a lawyer). My ultimate goal would be to pursue a MSN, but in the meantime I need a BSN. My wife is currently in grad school, so I won't be applying to a BSN program until she is graduated and employed - fall 2011 at the earliest.

Since I have decided that my first career choice was the wrong one, I would like as much information as possible before making a second career choice. The problem is this: how do I get real world information about the day-to-day practice of nursing, about specialties, about what to expect working in a hospital versus a doctor's office, etc.? I am in Houston, Texas and would plan on staying here, so although I would like any input regardless of location I would particularly appreciate any Houston RNs or NPs answering any or all of the following questions for me:

- Are you an RN or NP?

- What is your specialty?

- What are your hours? Are they flexible?

- What is the salary range for your specialty?

- What are your likes and dislikes about your specialty? What daily do you find rewarding/stressful? Are you happy?

- If you have experience in another specialty, are there any contrasts between the two that you think are important to know?

- What skills/personality traits do you think are vital to success in your specialty?

- Anything you wish you knew before becoming a nurse? Anything else you want to tell me/any other questions I should be asking?

Again, I will appreciate any information I can get. Thank you.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

You certainly don't do it for the mone.

*** You can't do it for the money cause the money isn't nearly good enough to just do it for the money.

[ConsideringBSN/MSN]

barkscotty and PMFB-RN,

I'm definitely not thinking about going in to nursing for the money. I'm currently a lawyer. If I wanted money, I would stay put.

[AggieNurse2B]

It sounds like TWU's accellerated program was poorly run, but I would highly recommend that type of program to anyone who is switching careers.

No, I don't at all get the idea it was poorly run. They started out with 30 students, and I think they're graduating around 22 or 23 in August, at least two of whom are attorneys, oddly enough. I believe they decided it was just too much material in not enough time, and they really wanted to focus on quality. The students doing the program in four semesters seem to be much happier, and the drop-out rate is much lower.