Undecided between Nursing :(

YUKONrn · Mar 17, 2018

I would go with PTA. I've worked with numerous PTA's and they make slightly less than nurses, but it's not nearly as stressful and you essentially work "normal" hours. If I could travel back 11 years in time I would have gone the PTA or COTA route.

YUKONrn · Mar 17, 2018

Heck I would go for my NP but I honestly think I would make less as a new grad NP than I make as an RN with 11 years experience in the ICU of an LTACH. If I told you what I make an hour your jaw would hit the floor. But it takes its toll on you. You're family life, mental health, physical health. Choose wisely.

YUKONrn · Mar 17, 2018

And I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but chances are you won't be able to land a job as a public health nurse without bedside nursing experience. You need at least 2 years of bedside experience before you can do almost anything else.

nick007 · Mar 17, 2018

You feel that the RN life is too taxing on family life, mental health, and physical health? Thats what i hear but what if i was to do bedside for a while until i can do public health nursing?? You said the PTA's make slightly less than nursing do you know roughly the amount?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2018

An ADN in nursing, opens many doors. Just be prepared to pay your dues at the bedside. You might just find your niche, while you are doing that.

Best wishes.

brownbook · Mar 17, 2018

I cannot imagine anyone basing their career decisions on videos they see on You Tube! Come on folks.....am I just being an old fuddy duddy or is that just crazy?

But now I am curious, what do I look for on You Tube? "I hate my job as a nurse!" "Nursing sucks!" These couldn't be hospital based videos of nurses at work, that would be a HIPAA violation. How would the poster, or anybody, know if real nurses were posting these videos?

nick007 · Mar 17, 2018

I understand what you are saying. Im not entirely choosing my career based off of these videos but i am the type of person to leave no stone left unturned. I do not want to make a mistake and regret in the future. But that is the problem. I'm scared to fail and i cant be if i want to be successful. I will figure this out. Thank you for your information

brownbook · Mar 17, 2018

I understand what you are saying. Im not entirely choosing my career based off of these videos but i am the type of person to leave no stone left unturned. I do not want to make a mistake and regret in the future. But that is the problem. I'm scared to fail and i cant be if i want to be successful. I will figure this out. Thank you for your information

Your reply makes sense. Thank goodness computers weren't invented when I was a nursing student, we didn't even have electricity :). When I plan to purchase some minor or major item I spend day on the Internet getting so much conflicting opinion on what to get it makes me crazy.

As others have posted on Allnures many times. Nurse come her to vent and complain. But I have loved my 34 nursing career.

I wasn't born to be a nurse, nursing school and the first few years were a struggle. Not the book learning part. The patient's scared me to death, or I am going to make a mistake and kill someone part!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 17, 2018

I have had my ADN for 25 years. I have never worked acute care although I have huge respect for those that do. If you are smart about it is an effective route.

nick007 · Mar 17, 2018

Would you recommend i go for nursing instead of physical therapy assistant? If i am not interested in bedside nursing is nursing not for me? I want to care for patients just not the chaos that comes in a hospital as a nurse taking care of 10 + people. I really would like to do public health nursing.

nick007 · Mar 17, 2018

I understand. If i am not interested in bedside nursing which means taking care of 10+ people and running around in a hospital for 12 + hours, is nursing not for me?