What can I expect?

marymary · Feb 29, 2004

Hi all. I apologize if this is not the appropriate forum for my inquiry.
I am considering a career change to nursing. I completed a B.S. in Comp. Sci. and a B.A. in Physics from Rutgers (new Brunswick) in 1993. I began as a programmer, nurtured a career through IT management, burnt out, had to leave. I might return if I could work up the courage.
Nursing is in high demand here in NJ, and seems like it would be satisfying. I am confidfent I can handle the study workload, but do not think I can handle changing bedpans for a living.
I am soliciting all thoughts, opinions, and recommendations: Is my motive appropriate? Are there institutions that will support my endeavor in the form of tuition reimbursement, OTJ training, other? What kind of investment/commitment is common up front? What can I expect?
Thank you all,
Anthony

Nursing is not about changing bedpans you have the wrong idea. It is about taking care of patients. Check out the website, discovernursing.com

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Feb 29, 2004

Anthony -- Nursing isn't exclusively about "changing bedpans" and the like. But nurses regularly have to do that for various reasons.

If you can't handle that, my guess is that nursing may not be for you. (Of course, only you would know for sure.)

Suspect the lack of responses to your question is due to others also thinking the above based on your post.

Recommend you read other threads here to get a better feel for the field. Perhaps that may help.

Good luck to ya!

Nur_1996 · Feb 29, 2004

Anthony -- Nursing isn't exclusively about "changing bedpans" and the like. But nurses regularly have to do that for various reasons.
If you can't handle that, my guess is that nursing may not be for you. (Of course, only you would know for sure.)
Suspect the lack of responses to your question is due to others also thinking the above based on your post.
Recommend you read other threads here to get a better feel for the field. Perhaps that may help.
Good luck to ya!

Good advice about the website, discovernursing.com. Nursing is a great field, but sometimes a thankless job.You have many of choices in nursing. Some do not even require bedpans! Nursing school, you will do bedpans, so be prepared! But, you never know when you may be a patient yourself. do unto others as you would do unto yourself! Yes there is a nursing shortage all over but that in itself is not reason to enter nursing. Do some deep soul seaching, and hopefully the answers will come to you. Good Luck!

nursemeow · May 24, 2004

nobody enjoys changing a bedpan/commode. This is a common thought that this is all nurses do from someone who is not familiar with the field I think. Once you start with nursing school (if you do choose to) you will realize actually how whats going on in that commode/bedpan is critical! Regarding I&O, occult blood,c-diff(yikers),urine color,hematuria,etc,etc,etc. and you'll know what's going on in the body, what labs to monitor, isolation precautions. Or, not and ya just change the friggin commode and go on with your patients. It's a part of acute care whether we like it or not and I'm sure it's never gonna go away. Bedpans are the easy part of nursing. This is a field of never ending learning....assessment skills,planning,interventions,meds,titrations,teaching,laughing,crying,praying, learning,learning,diseases,isolations,PSYCH ISSUES,brain death,trauma, blood, body fluids,families,... must I keep going? are ya getting my point? Changing bedpans,ha, you might wish. :roll