What should I do?

[jballa34]

Okay so I'm a student at a junior college and playing basketball at the same time. I'm working on my pre reqs to enter into the school's nursing program. The problem is I cannot play basketball and be in the nursing program at the same time so I would have to choose between the two. I talked to a school councilor and she said that if I was set on playing basketball then maybe I should spend my two years at this school and then transfer and work on becoming a physicians assistant. I'm fairly set on working in the medical field and an RN really appeals to me because of the flexible schedule I could have as a traveling nurse. It's been my dream to work as an RN in the winters and then in the summers work as a fishing guide. I've heard of people being able to do that in certain situations but how realistic do you think that is really? Also if anyone has any information on whether or not a PA would have the same flexibility in schedule then that would be much appreciated. If you have a suggestion or any advice I would love to hear it! Thanks!

[jballa34]

Thanks for all the information and advice canesdukegirl! At this point I'm leaning towards playing this one year of basketball and then going into the nursing program. I love the sport but I'm in school for a reason and that's to get an education and prepare for my future. Truly, I believe that being a nurse is what I am supposed to do and settling for anything else would be a huge mistake. The hardest part of all of this is I have to decide all of this next week when classes open up for the second semester. I have the option to either complete the nursing pre reqs or start my pre reqs to transfer to a 4 year university.

My parents think that I should do what makes me happy so they are a whole lot of help. LOL! My parents are about 7 years away from retirement and they would like to run a small fishing business in Alaska. It's my goal to be able to work as a nurse and also work as a guide in their business. Hopefully I can gain the experience needed to become a traveling nurse in the time that it takes for their retirement.

One last thing; as a traveling nurse are you under contract by more then one hospital or are you on your own as far as finding where you will work when you would like to move? Basically what I'm asking is if traveling nurses have to move from hospital to hospital constantly or can they work for 2 hospital's their entire career.

Also you mentioned you are an OR nurse, if you had to go back to school all over again, is this the type of nurse you would choose? What type of education is needed to become an OR nurse? What would be your recommendation as to what type of nurse I should become. I understand the choice is mine and certain fields appeal to some people more then others, however I would like a veterans opinion. Thanks!!!

[KeepnItReal]

Yes, thank you for blessing my post with your all knowing powers, oh mystic mind reader. I had no idea that your magic could reach over the far expanses of the internet! I now feel compelled to do EXACTLY what you say, especially after that remarkable comment. So thank you for forewarning me of my immaturity. Much appreciated!

I think they could have worded their response a little better but if you are going to post on here and get offended if you don't get the exact canned answer you want, at least respond maturely. If you can't take that post then trust me your fellow students will eat you alive in nursing school as well the nurses on the floor..you haven't seen competition until nursing school

[chicagoing, ADN, RN]

I think they could have worded their response a little better but if you are going to post on here and get offended if you don't get the exact canned answer you want, at least respond maturely. If you can't take that post then trust me your fellow students will eat you alive in nursing school as well the nurses on the floor..you haven't seen competition until nursing school

I think the OP's response was appropriate. Jballa has presented him/herself maturely in this thread, and it seems to me that Jballa's response was tinged with exasperation, but not immaturity. I would be more interested in understanding why someone would claim a younger person is not mature enough to handle the health care field. I've met mature-beyond-their years teenagers AND 20-somethings stuck in the bodies of 50 year olds in my classes.

[AtomicWoman]

In my area of the Northeast, ICU and ED nurses are much in demand. Just an FYI when you are thinking about travel nursing.

[jballa34]

I think they could have worded their response a little better but if you are going to post on here and get offended if you don't get the exact canned answer you want, at least respond maturely. If you can't take that post then trust me your fellow students will eat you alive in nursing school as well the nurses on the floor..you haven't seen competition until nursing school

I agree they could have re-worded their post to be more helpful, however, my response was solely to poke fun. I was in no way deterred or upset by this person's opinion especially since I ASKED for everyone's opinion. I just wanted to let the person know that I heard what they had to say and I didn't agree. By the way I'm very capable of handling situations, and over time I will adapt to handle even the worst situations in nursing school and on the nursing floor just as I have through every stage in my life so far.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

thanks for all the information and advice canesdukegirl! at this point i'm leaning towards playing this one year of basketball and then going into the nursing program. i love the sport but i'm in school for a reason and that's to get an education and prepare for my future. truly, i believe that being a nurse is what i am supposed to do and settling for anything else would be a huge mistake. the hardest part of all of this is i have to decide all of this next week when classes open up for the second semester. i have the option to either complete the nursing pre reqs or start my pre reqs to transfer to a 4 year university.

beginning a 4 year program is something that you really must think through. i had another degree when i started nursing school that was completely unrelated (pre-law). none of my pre-reqs counted. i decided to do the adn program so that i could make a salary and then i did the online bridge rn to bsn program through my local university.

my parents think that i should do what makes me happy so they are a whole lot of help. lol! my parents are about 7 years away from retirement and they would like to run a small fishing business in alaska. it's my goal to be able to work as a nurse and also work as a guide in their business. hopefully i can gain the experience needed to become a traveling nurse in the time that it takes for their retirement.

wow! that sounds like so much fun, not to mention incredibly hard work. i must say that i admire you for keeping your parents goals in line with your own. that is stellar in my book!

one last thing; as a traveling nurse are you under contract by more then one hospital or are you on your own as far as finding where you will work when you would like to move? basically what i'm asking is if traveling nurses have to move from hospital to hospital constantly or can they work for 2 hospital's their entire career.

when you work as a traveler, you sign up with a company such as american mobile or cross country, just to name a couple off the top of my head. the company will assign you a recruiter. the recruiter's job is to look for positions that you qualify for (you will take a detailed competency test when you are hired as a traveler), and positions that you are looking for in a specific region. for example, i am an or nurse, and wanted to only travel to hospitals in my state. my recruiter looked for or jobs that had travel nurse openings and then offered them to me. it is up to you if you want to take what is offered. if you want to stay in one region, it depends entirely on if the hospital is hiring agency nurses. since travel nurses are terribly expensive to hospitals, they try to stay away from using them if they can. the only downside to travel nursing is that you work in mainly 3-6 month contracts, and you get nervous when your contract end date comes near because you don't know if they will extend you.

also you mentioned you are an or nurse, if you had to go back to school all over again, is this the type of nurse you would choose?

without a doubt. i love what i do. i first started out working on a med/surg floor, and i feel that the experience of prioritizing and getting the feel for what being a nurse really meant was invaluable to me. i feel strongly that if i had not been a floor nurse first, i would not be as efficient now as an or nurse. that is simply my experience. the knowledge and the experience i had as a floor nurse made me see the frustrations and the challenges that floor nurses face. it is difficult to tend to 5-6 high acuity patients as a new grad. i welcomed the focused energy that i was granted by taking care of only one patient at a time in the or.

what type of education is needed to become an or nurse?

if the or is what you love, then i would suggest looking into hospitals in your area that offer a "nurse intern" program. all you need is to graduate and get your license. the rest is classroom and hands on training that the hospital provides. it is absolutely wonderful training, and i wish that it had been offered to me. you will be paid a salary as you learn. you will probably have to look at university hospitals for this. i have not seen private hospitals offer this, but it is possible.

what would be your recommendation as to what type of nurse i should become. i understand the choice is mine and certain fields appeal to some people more then others, however i would like a veterans opinion. thanks!!!

it really depends on what you are interested in when you are doing your clinicals in nursing school. surprisingly, i was more interested in ob nursing when i first started. i changed my direction when i did my surgery rotation. don't worry about this now....you will have plenty of opportunity to decide this once you get through the first couple of years of school. it will come to you.

now...i must acknowledge something. your grammar and your thought processes are spot on! i am very impressed with your forward thinking, your consideration of your parents as well as your clear manner of writing. you will be a star, my dear one! good luck to you. please don't hesitate to pm me if you need further help.

[jballa34]

Again, thank you for everything you have done for me! I feel that without your advice and insight I would be blindly walking through my schooling without purpose. Your encouragement and kind words have given me enlightenment into my potential future. I am now motivated to pursue nursing as my career and the relief and peace of mind is incredible. I thank you for all of your time, wisdom, and selflessness in my situation. I cannot express my appreciation enough! As for my thought process, grammar, and writing skills; I owe that entirely to my parent's who happen to be teachers. I hope I can one day be as helpful to a lost soul as you were to this lost soul! If you're ever looking for an Alaska fishing adventure in about 7 years, please don't hesitate to give me a shout!