What is nursing about?

bmono24 · Sep 20, 2012

My fiancé just started a fast track BSN program and she said there's a lot of the nasty. Positives seem to outweigh negatives from what I hear though. I am also thinking about entering a BSN program.

CapeCodDreamer · Sep 21, 2012

If you really want to learn about the profession, you could try shadowing an RN or working as a CNA first.

allnurses Guide · Sep 21, 2012

Also, i wanna know if there's more to nursing than diaper changes and gross stuff. I know theres more to that, but how much of nursing involves the nasty? PLEASE HELP!!

Nursing is all about the "nasty".

But is it really really truly nasty?

Only if you have the mindset that it is.

Do you want to know what is nastier than a diaper?

A nurse who won't touch it and lets their patient fester in it.

Compassion_x · Sep 21, 2012

Honestly, the gross stuff doesn't phase you after a few weeks on the job. If it does, nursing probably isn't for you. I think you should try working as a CNA before going to nursing school, if that's what you're worried about.

As for how hard it is, it varies from person to person. There is a lot of work and studying, and you have to be very good at time management. Be prepared to have a quiz/test every time you have class.

msawyer428 · Sep 21, 2012

I have to agree, if you can hold it together working as a CNA who pretty much gets the worst of the nasty then you could handle the nasty of being an RN. Good luck!

Orizza · Sep 21, 2012

Nursing is all about the "nasty".
But is it really really truly nasty?
Only if you have the mindset that it is.
Do you want to know what is nastier than a diaper?
A nurse who won't touch it and lets their patient fester in it.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I'm going through the CNA program first to make sure I can handle it.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Sep 21, 2012

How hard is it? Pretty doggone hard. How hard is it to work and go to school? Also pretty doggone hard. My school advises against working more than 10 hours per week, if that. Most nursing student positions out there won't require more than 24 hours/month, or two 12-hour shifts. Also, i wanna know if there's more to nursing than diaper changes and gross stuff. There's more to it, but I think the gross stuff is still gonna follow you through it. Either you'll be actually touching your patients and administering treatments or charting about it.

My advice is to shadow a nurse or volunteer at a hospital. See what they do and decide whether that's something you can see yourself doing. I did that and ended up taking a CNA course to actually get the hands-on experience. It gave me a liiiiittle bit of pause, but after getting used to it I found it wasn't that bad. You'll probably have a similar experience.

amber4452 · Sep 22, 2012

Thankyou everyone