To be or not to be a Nurse

[Mr. Kacer]

Hello.

I am a student currently at a cross roads, I have to make a decision between majoring in engineering or apply to the Nursing program here in my school in southern California. I feel more inclined towards nursing, but....in checking out a lot of jobs here in California, and my beloved home state (which I plan to return after school) of Michigan I am kind of discouraged by the amount of part time work I see offered. Is part time work the norm? I really want to work, but full time, as I too have a family to support.

Would you give me some insight as to what I might encounter if I decide to commit myself to nursing.

Thank you for your input, it would be most appreciated.

Tim

[WorkingTowards2011]

I would never chose a major other than the one I wanted, just because it was harder to find a job in the profession I wanted, but that's just me. I want to know for sure that I am going to have a heart for and love what I do when I graduate. Finding a job may be a little harder, but I am sure there are jobs out there to be had with a little determination! A friend of mine (who has been a nurse for years) gave me the advice of applying to be a student tech after my first semester of clinicals. Pay is not so great, but the experience in the hospitals and the people you meet get your foot in the door. You become somewhat established in the hospital long before you even graduate. You basically chose what hours you work, if any, week by week. Then, when you go on your clinicals, you can tell the attending nurses, "Hey, I'm a student tech, and if you guys need any help on the weekends, call me, I would love to come work with you guys!" The people get used to you as a student tech, and are therefore more likely to hire you on after you graduate because they know you fit in well with them and because you already know your way around.

That is what I plan to do. I want to work in Labor and Delivery after graduation, but so does over half my class. So I plan to get my foot in the door early and have a better chance than the rest of them at getting the position after grad. Just a thought, hope it helps!:wink2:

[BellasMommyOBRN]

i don't know this to be the norm where i live. i guess it depends on the location. i have a friend who is a nurse who is always working and was only hired there this past november.