To Be Or Not To Be

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Specializes in Emergency.

hello everyone,

i have been reading this forum for weeks now as a silent observer and it appears to be a very knowledgeable and professional group of people who by in large care deeply for their patients and their profession. thanks for all the good insight you have already given me. i know have a more personal question to ask. i have heard others post similarly, but i would greatly appreciate some advice based on my certain set of circumstances.

here is some info about me:

  • i am 29 (in february)
  • i have an un-accredited undergrad and grad degree in theology
  • i have a wife whom i love deeply (married over 3 years)
  • i have a baby girl on the way (will arrive in january)
  • we are moving to kentucky from alaska in february
  • my sainted mother and my sister are lpn's, my aunt (from my dads side) is an np (geriatrics)
  • i was a pastor until last january before i was "let go" due to economic conditions
  • i have been certified as an emt-2 (in our state this is an emt-b who can give iv's and some meds) for over 10 years, and volunteered for about 4 years as a ambulance medic
  • i am not willing to be a firefighter

well, in addition to all this information. i must say i really have enjoyed emergency medicine it has always been a passion of mine but i felt obligated to a "calling" as i was a pastor. i am now free of that and i need gainful employment. i have always really enjoyed emergency medicine and with all the jobs in nursing available i thought it would be a perfect fit (i can not make enough $ as an emt unless i want to be a firefighter too, and that is not happening). i am realizing though now that emergency medicine and nursing are two different animals (or are they, any input would be great). so i started preparing for nursing school. i found a school near where my parents live and where the housing is much cheaper then it is here. we bought a house there and are planning on moving there. i also am finishing up a cna course and an a&p 1 course as well as some psyc and writing courses needed to get in to this program. i then planned on going from rn to bsn then eventually specialize as a np

the problem is this. i went for my first day of clinical as a cna in ltc and i hated it. i like helping people, but im not sure i could stomach the ltc thing more than a few months. i don't mind blood and guts and the occasional poopy pad, but day in and day out wiping butts and showering people and general housekeeping stuff that cnas do is not up my alley. i am a little bit concerned that i may be barking up the wrong tree when it comes to nursing. i thought i would love it, but now im not so sure.

i need a good income, i really enjoy emergency medicine, i do not have the time to become an md before i am gainfully employed, i am already moving to a place where medicine is really the only gig in town unless your content with making $8/hr. should i continue the course and do the nest step which is become an rn or is it going to me more of the same that i experienced my first day of clinicals at the ltc facility? i there a nursing field where i might get to practice emergency medicine and or something more high energy. i must confess i am an adrenaline junkie!!! :clown:

please... any comments would be greatly appreciated.

david :typing

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In my area, the ERs hire ER techs which are EMT-Bs who do some CNA work, but also draw blood, do EKGs, transport and some other things. Its definitely not all CNA type work. The pay is about $10/hour to start.

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Specializes in Emergency.
In my area, the ERs hire ER techs which are EMT-Bs who do some CNA work, but also draw blood, do EKGs, transport and some other things. Its definitely not all CNA type work. The pay is about $10/hour to start.

Thanks so much. for clarification are you suggesting the ER tech as a carreer choice or as a hold over until I am an RN. $10 won't do it long term. I would be stoked to be an ER tech instead of a CNA as I get through college. Is there an area of nursing that is more high energy ( a good pleace for an adrenaline junkie) or am I really barking up the wrong tree. If there is I am sure its pretty competative so how long do you have to pay your dues as an RN wiping butts to get into an area that might interest me more. Thanks again for your reply.

David

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Specializes in LTC.

When I first started clinicals for CNA class in preparation for nursing school, I really questioned if this was for me. I hated every moment of it and went home so depressed I felt like crying. Some of the residents are so pitiful, and the CNA care can be so repetitive that I sincerly hated going and would have missed as many hours as possible if I had had that option (our program doesn't allow you to miss any time in clinicals for CNA certification).

Now as a I am nearing the end of my second semester of Nursing school, I love what I do. I still would not want to be a fulltime CNA in long term care, but changing briefs and giving bedbaths are not the entirety of my day.

The time you spend here is going to be essential in your development as a nurse. Look at it as a learning tool that will help you hone your assessment skills which are so important.

Don't give up!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks also for your reply. Is there an area of nursing where an EMT at heart could be fulfilled longterm?

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Specializes in peds and med/surg.

What about trauma? It's fast-paced, adrenaline required. Some hospitals have trauma centers that vary in levels. Check it out.

Thanks also for your reply. Is there an area of nursing where an EMT at heart could be fulfilled longterm?
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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

David, it sounds like your qualifications would make you an excellent nurse. Please don't be turned off by the LTC side of things. Some nurses and CNAs love LTC, some hate (I'm one that hates it). I find that male nurses tend to gravitate towards ER, ICU and OR. I love working in pre- and post-op because it is Monday-Friday (with occasional call). This is nice for those of us who go to Church on the weekend. I agree with the other posters who mentioned getting a tech position in the ED. Your EMT skills should come in handy there.

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Very often EMT's who are working in ED's are asked to stay on as RN's once they get licensure.

www.excelsior.edu

As an EMT you can do the program on-line. I think AK is good with it.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Very often EMT's who are working in ED's are asked to stay on as RN's once they get licensure.

www.excelsior.edu

As an EMT you can do the program on-line. I think AK is good with it.

Thanks for your reply as well. I am not understanding what you mean my "program"? nursing, ER Tech, etc???

david

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Ah. By program I'm referring to nursing school. You make a lot more as an RN than an EMT.

:)

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AlaskaEMT,

You've gotten some good advice here. I'd bet that trauma nursing is right up your alley. If you are moving to a metropolitan area of KY, there is probably a trauma center there.

If you can get a job as an EMT/ER tech there, they may even help you with tuition for your RN program.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Thanks!

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