Wanting to go into nursing

Nurses Career Support

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I have been reading all these messages about wherethere to be a nurse or not and i must say some of it kind of makes me draw back a little. I just retired from the corporate world and it was just as bad. I think what I hated most was the corporate job did not fit me as a person. I've always wanted to be a nurse and at 40 years old I'm aware that they will be goods and bads. I have already been to college more than once. !!1st time I got a degree in dental hygiene ended up working for SWB for 16 years. Along the way I got back into college wanting to go into nusring but ended up in respiratory school. THat was put on hold when my husband was transfered 4 years ago and I had our last child. I really want to go into nursing and I have worked in the hospital setting doing my clinicals for respiratory so I don't have a sugar coated view of what goes on. I still feel it is a gift that GOD gave me and I must use it. I feel probably putting up with nursing school will be the hardest. STill if we as people do what motivates us and guides us our job for the most part will be enjoyable. I not trying to be ms merry sunshine I'm just telling you that the other side is just as bad in some ways Any advice or suggestion into getting into nursing school would be a plus. THere is a school collin county junior college in my town. My other degree is from a university.

On another note I have been a patient in the hospital several time the last few years and I may not have had any of you guys but I know the ones who were awesome I thank and told them everyday. I really appreicated the caring and kindness.

Hi ! b-lansing

I am also a CNA , just got certified in May. I want to go into the nursing field so I decided to do the cna first. I currently work at a womens clinic. I am also not soooooooo good at math in fact I hate it !!! But I Will be going to school for the LPN

next fall . don't let these(math&science)put you down. Just say to yourself "I CAN DO IT!!!!" and you will . God Bless!!

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Originally posted by StudentSandra

Donna,

I started at a community college in the fall of 2000, took one year of the support classes. I am now finishing up the second semester of an ADN program and will graduate in May 2003. I am 43 now & figure I will be close to 45 by the time I pass the boards.

School is school, just like work, some good, some bad. At my school all the instructors are wonderful, the material is difficult, but that is how it should be. As an older student that just always wanted to be a nurse, I feel this was the right decision for me. I left a wonderful job as an Oral Surgery assistant to go to school. It was a hard choice, but I just feel in my soul that I should be a nurse.

Yes, there are many discouraging remarks on message boards, but I really feel that a great deal of it is venting to others that understand where they are coming from. Don't get me wrong, I know there are problems in nursing, but there are problems in all professions.

Good luck in your quest, feel free to e-mail me if you would like.

[email protected]

Good Post Sandra... school is like work, you have to show up on time, get along with others, do your very best... etc.. ;)

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Originally posted by b-lansing

Hi everyone! I'm 41 years old, and a CNA at a ltc facility. I really hate my job: as aides we're treated like chattle. I've been giving some serious thought to nursing school but I have those days when the doubt monster comes to visit. You see, I wasn't a good math and science student 22+ years ago and at times I feel too dumb to go to nursing school. HELP!!!:rolleyes: :o

B-lansing... get rid of the doubt monster, you CAN DO IT.. I'm your age and I'm doing it.. sometimes we are much better students NOW than we ever were.

I've heard that CNA's do very well in nursing school. I say GO FOR IT.. PM me and I can give you more encouragement. ;)

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Originally posted by Donna Guerrero

I have been reading all these messages about wherethere to be a nurse or not and i must say some of it kind of makes me draw back a little. I just retired from the corporate world and it was just as bad. I think what I hated most was the corporate job did not fit me as a person. I've always wanted to be a nurse and at 40 years old I'm aware that they will be goods and bads. I have already been to college more than once. !!1st time I got a degree in dental hygiene ended up working for SWB for 16 years. Along the way I got back into college wanting to go into nusring but ended up in respiratory school. THat was put on hold when my husband was transfered 4 years ago and I had our last child. I really want to go into nursing and I have worked in the hospital setting doing my clinicals for respiratory so I don't have a sugar coated view of what goes on. I still feel it is a gift that GOD gave me and I must use it. I feel probably putting up with nursing school will be the hardest. STill if we as people do what motivates us and guides us our job for the most part will be enjoyable. I not trying to be ms merry sunshine I'm just telling you that the other side is just as bad in some ways Any advice or suggestion into getting into nursing school would be a plus. THere is a school collin county junior college in my town. My other degree is from a university.

On another note I have been a patient in the hospital several time the last few years and I may not have had any of you guys but I know the ones who were awesome I thank and told them everyday. I really appreicated the caring and kindness.

It's hard for me to put into words the motivation that makes one go into nursing, maybe it is a calling, and you absolutely KNOW the call, at least that's how I can describe it.. No job is a bed of roses. You have to take the good with the bad. Why would someone desire to be a Policeman? or Fireman? They are not afraid to Die in the line of duty because the desire is greater than "Fear". Hope I didn't confuse you.. maybe I'm rambling..

Good Luck with your decision.

:)

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Donna -

I'm currently going to community college, getting my pre-reqs out of the way and applying to nursing school this winter.

After working in the banking industry (the reason I call myself a former Dilbert!) for five years, I got laid off, and had time to seriously re-think what I was doing. Since I've decided to go into nursing, I've talked to literally dozens of nurses, and most have told me it's a wonderful career and very rewarding. I've had 2 or 3 nurses who have said to absolutely NOT go into nursing, and that I should really reconsider. I've also met several nurses experiencing burn-out.

One of the things I've done that has really made me realize I'm making the right choice is I started volunteering at a local hospital. It's given me an opportunity to be in a hospital setting, meet a lot of nurses, and it's been really rewarding. Plus, many hospitals will write a letter of recommendation for volunteers if you apply to nursing school. I realize there's no way to really see what it's like to be a nurse until you've done it, but at least I get to observe them work, and I hear the nurses talking amongst themselves about their job.

One of the things that has attracted me most to nursing is the variety of jobs available. My neighbor has been a nurse for over 20 years, and she got tired of taking care of people, so now she works as an employee health nurse for a power company. I know others who have become phone nurses (many insurance companies have phone nurses available for consultation). There's a nurse at the hospital I volunteer at who also says she got tired of taking care of patients, so now she's a family liason for the surgical waiting area.

I'm looking forward to being a nurse, and if a day comes when I don't want to be a nurse anymore, that's okay! Something else will come along!!

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Hi,

I am 28 and currently a cubicle dweller.. I am now taking my pre reqs for an ADN program.. I decided to go into nursing since I have always been facinated by medicine and did not choose my current "profession" ( It choose my by my need to pay the bills).

I too have gathered from many different ( nurses and lay) people a " mixed " bad of comments concerning the nursing profession. The difference in opinion has me concerned ,but I understand that EVERYONE needs to blow off steam and there is NO PERFECT JOB. However I am worried about the bodily harm and abuse nurses are faced with.. How often is this a problem.. I also have job hazards ( burn my eyes out from the computer screen :)) . Are there any other student nurses who share the same fear?? Maybe I am not cut out for this type of work... Maybe I am scared.. I do have the desire. Any thoughts??

I would appreciate the input.

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Hello everyone,

I hope I am doing this right!! I am new to this board!

I have been thinking about going into the nursing field for a while now. Just recently I actually started going to schools and getting more information. I know there is a big nursing shortage now, but why can't I get into a nuring program?? They are all full! One school told me I'd have to wait 2 years!

Anyways, I have always wanted to go into nursing so I am going to start out with the basics that are needed to get into a nuring program. However, I also work 2 jobs, 7 days a week to support myself. I have been looking into getting assistance, actually quite desperatly! I have written to 10 area hospitals looking for assistance, but they were no help. And I have applied to many admin related positions in medical fields just to get my foot in the door! I know there must be some sort of assistance out there since the president keeps talking about the shortage. I have been searching and cannot seem to find anything! Could someone please point me in the right direction.

Thank you so much!!

Stephanie:rolleyes: :confused:

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Hello everyone,

I hope I am doing this right!! I am new to this board!

I have been thinking about going into the nursing field for a while now. Just recently I actually started going to schools and getting more information. I know there is a big nursing shortage now, but why can't I get into a nuring program?? They are all full! One school told me I'd have to wait 2 years!

Anyways, I have always wanted to go into nursing so I am going to start out with the basics that are needed to get into a nuring program. However, I also work 2 jobs, 7 days a week to support myself. I have been looking into getting assistance, actually quite desperatly! I have written to 10 area hospitals looking for assistance, but they were no help. And I have applied to many admin related positions in medical fields just to get my foot in the door! I know there must be some sort of assistance out there since the president keeps talking about the shortage. I have been searching and cannot seem to find anything! Could someone please point me in the right direction.

Thank you so much!!

Stephanie:rolleyes: :confused:

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I went through Nursing school for four years in college, got my degree...then didn't practice. Went to another industry (sales and marketing) which can be more lucrative and glamorous than Nursing but...I wasn't happy. Making more money does not mean happiness and satisfaction.

Search your heart. Are you just wanting to go to Nursing because of the bad job market in numerous idustries? Or do you really care about others well-being? I can't imagine getting burn out of "truly taking care of others" and helping others you don't even know...Isn't it that helping and caring for others should be what all of us humans are suppose to do?

Do what you are. Live this moment now. :eek:

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All the best on what ever you decide

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To all those who are considering going into Nursing,

I have been a nurse for 21 yrs. now and I have to say it has been tough,BUT I cannot see myself in any other profession. I've seen alot of changes come down, but the patient care standards have always been top priority with most of us. This is a job that has been so rewarding-its hard to even detail it here. I cannot see myself doing anything in my life more loving and generous for my fellow man/woman. I have tried to do many different roles including ICU nsg(which I have been in for the past 15 yrs), hemodialysis, flight nsg, home care nsg, floor nsg, and juvenile psych. nsg. ALL of these places have had their rewards. I think if you feel like God has put this path in front of you, go for it. I love my job! I love alot of my patients/some obviously I can live without, but for the most part it is the best profession around. At this point in time maybe one of the most challenging too! You'll never know until you get in there-and just a word of encouragement-PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT! You won,t lose.

Thanks for listening-krazyk39

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Specializes in Critical Care, Long Term Care.

I went into nursing 21 years ago because 'it was the thing for a girl to do" then. I learned to love it and then learned to hate it for all the reasons posted on this board and others. Funny thing is I am 27 credits away from my BSN and will be changing my course towards business because I cannot do the clinical involved due to work and personal time committments. I am in the corporate world (pharmaceutical) and business will get me more places than my BSN at this point. At some point in time I did love nursing however it was a long time ago.

For those of you who consider nursing without ever having worked in the hospital.,...do you yourself a favor and volunteer, work as a CNA ... do something in the hospital/nursing home to get experience in real life nursing....it is a whole different ball game and I have worked with to many grads who all of a sudden discover they have to work weekends/holidays/swing shifts/mandatory OT and for some reason forgot that little tidbit of the job.....sorry....I am glad you all are interested in nursing so there will be someone there to take care of the rest of us later...however do yourself a favor and don't go into it blind....you are wasting your money and time otherwise...

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