Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!
You will need to find a way to balance work with school because working a full-time job from Monday to Friday will not accommodate your classes and clinicals. However, where there's a will, there's a way.
Would it surprise you to know that many, if not most, new nurses cringe at the thought of giving an injection? This is because we don't want to cause pain. To overcome this, we learn to administer injections quickly and expertly, sometimes to the point where patients don't even feel it.
We also develop the ability to compartmentalize our feelings in a positive way, allowing us to focus on our job, which is to improve the patient's condition through our interventions.
I believe that working as a nursing assistant can help you decide if patient care is the right path for you. If you choose to pursue nursing school, having experience as an aide or tech will not only give you valuable skills but also provide you with a professional network and potentially a job after graduation.
Best wishes,
Nurse Beth
Published
I am looking to go into nursing. I just met with my local tech college and discussed how to get out of my current career (finance). I was suggested going for a NA, getting a job as an NA, and then going for RN. My current job is not very flexible with me leaving for school and I was told that RN is a very hands on program. One of my worries with going for nursing-and I know this sounds silly, but IVs/dealing with veins. I'm terrified of hurting someone. I know I will get hands on training, but I'm still nervous. Any advice would be appreciated!
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