What field should I go into?

allnurses Guide · Nov 9, 2017

Hi Danielle,

That's great that you're thinking about your future. If you want to work with babies and moms, getting your nursing degree and looking for a position in labor/delivery, post-partum, or a high risk antepartum unit is a good place to start. From there you could look into advancing your career at some point-you could be a nurse-midwife, a NNP, or a Women's Health NP. I haven't seen a lot of PAs in these areas, at least in my part of the country.

Work hard and get the best grades you can so you can get into a great nursing program. Best of luck to you.

Ddelange · Nov 9, 2017

Thank you so much for your response. I'm not sure if I could handle critical condition or high risk babies or mothers for that matter. I was thinking of getting my associates degree at the local tech schooo so I can stay home and get a job to save money. I talked to UIU today at a career fair and they said I could take some of their courses at the tech school and then within 6-8 months I could have my BSN. Do you think this is a good plan? I'm still undecided on what I want to do specifically but I have time.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 9, 2017

Look into becoming a mother-baby/postpartum nurse.

Whatever they told you is incorrect. You cannot have your BSN in 6-8 months. It is a minimum of 4 years at a university. If they're telling you that, run far away, fast. They're lying to you.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 9, 2017

Please.. just enjoy being a kid. Your hormones are in control.... everybody loves babies. Whatever you do.. don't do it in nursing... we are overworked and underpaid. A labor and delivery nurse has outrageous responsibilities.. You will be responsible for the mother and the baby. Watch a You Tube video.. childbirth is not a nice thing to see.. I almost passed out... and I am a tough chick.

2210485 · Nov 9, 2017

Id recommend taking an anatomy and physiology class..

Whatever section of a&p you enjoy the most and get a really high score in is probably the field for you to be honest.

Give everything a fair chance and you might find youre actually really well suited for another specialty.. Maybe you are crappy at reproductive and do better in genitourinary and renal.. Bam! A future in nephrology awaits..

Or maybe youll be really good at musculoskeletal.. Orthopaedic surgery might be your thing.. Or if you also love fitness it could move you in the physocal therapy/occupational therapy/rehab direction.

Not a foolproof strategy but a good place to start.. If youre not interested in the science behind it and all you want is to "bring new life into the world" frankly you might struggle/ wind up very disappointed.

Always remember you are a scientist first and foremost when you take on a career in patient care... Not just some extra pair of hands. Its like you're a singular neuron in the hivemind/collective brain we call a hospital.

Personally i found my niche in cardiology.. granted i still have to have alot of knowledge about other systems to do my job mind you... But the bulk of the stuff i gotta know comes sort of naturally to me. It makes sense and just sort of allows everything else to fall into place. If youre in a field that fits you well, you'll find yourself understanding your patients conditions, the actions of your physicians, the protocols in place, and how to prioritize your tasks a bit better. Thankfully i was able to explore my options and find where i was comfortable, as opposed to some of my peers who maybe tried to jump into this field for the whole adrenaline filled, 'here to save lives' bs logic.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Nov 9, 2017

Good that you're thinking about this stuff early! Just keep an open mind. I know the life I wanted at 15 would not be my ideal now, although pieces are similar.

Been there,done that is right; looooots of us think we want to work with babies. I KNEW I was going to be a midwife; now I work in psych and love it. The nice thing about nursing school is that you have to try a few different things before you graduate, so pay attention to what you enjoy and don't enjoy as much.

Enjoy the next few years of school, volunteer, research different jobs, take classes and explore all of your interests, not just the ones that lead to a career. Take your gen ed classes in college and go from there. There are lots of ways to work in health care and with babies. Nursing is one solid option, but don't totally limit yourself just yet. Find what fits the best.

Ddelange · Nov 10, 2017

Honestly I've already watched birth on YouTube and it doesn't bother me. I actually find it fascinating. The video I watched involved a breach baby. Most things don't bother me even if they bother most other people.

Ddelange · Nov 10, 2017

I've thought about being a midwife as well but I think I want to focus more on the birth and child rather than the mom although I would also like to help the mom and baby get aquatinted.

allnurses Guide · Nov 10, 2017

I was thinking of getting my associates degree at the local tech schooo so I can stay home and get a job to save money.

Those "tech schools" tend to be waaaaaaay more expensive than they have to be. Some are scams. Go to a community college! You can get your prereq's and get into a nursing program at a community college for nowhere near the cost of those tech schools. You can then go on to get your bachelor's.

I talked to UIU today at a career fair and they said I could take some of their courses at the tech school and then within 6-8 months I could have my BSN. Do you think this is a good plan? I'm still undecided on what I want to do specifically but I have time.

I don't know who UIU is... but like klone said, they are liars. They thought you were a "stupid kid" and fed you garbage. Makes me sick!

Ya know, Danielle, I was skipping school and smoking cigarettes behind the church when I was your age. Oh, the shame! If only I had the sense to think about my future then! Good for you.

Cheers and good luck.