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I wanted to go into medicine until I discovered the math that goes along with chemistry and I found out that someone has to pay for a college education. Teaching fell along the wayside when I really decided that I could not stand school any longer. Since nobody jumped at asking me to marry while still in high school, that left nursing or cosmetology, and I have trouble combing my own hair. Teaching, nursing, and marriage were the career goals of women in my generation. With the competition for any kind of work still there, I imagine I would be just as fraught with anxiety over my future if I had to do it over again today.
14 hours ago, Bones17 said:Thanks everyone. As in you could help people's respiratory issues along with other medical needs?
I think they mean it more in the sense of if you get tired of 1 specialty, you can try something completely new. Or, if a hospital shift rotation doesn't work in your life, there are other specialties and environments which schedules differ: community based, office based, company based, school based. You have the option to work full time, part time, or prn which can also be much more conducive to family life. A lot of other career choices (medical field or not) don't necessarily offer that.
3 hours ago, ihavealltheice said:I think they mean it more in the sense of if you get tired of 1 specialty, you can try something completely new. Or, if a hospital shift rotation doesn't work in your life, there are other specialties and environments which schedules differ: community based, office based, company based, school based. You have the option to work full time, part time, or prn which can also be much more conducive to family life. A lot of other career choices (medical field or not) don't necessarily offer that.
Exactly! Because nursing is a 24hours/day business with lots of different avenues, I've worked around what my family needs or what I prefer at different times of my life: AMs, PMs, nocs, weekends, 9-5 M-F, on the floor, in an office, in a classroom, at a school, 8 hours, 12 hours, different specialties, at the bedside, far away from the bedside. Most other careers would not offer this flexibility and ability to change up our environment. At times I have disliked nursing but the flexibility has made it all worth it.
19 hours ago, Golden_RN said:Exactly! Because nursing is a 24hours/day business with lots of different avenues, I've worked around what my family needs or what I prefer at different times of my life: AMs, PMs, nocs, weekends, 9-5 M-F, on the floor, in an office, in a classroom, at a school, 8 hours, 12 hours, different specialties, at the bedside, far away from the bedside. Most other careers would not offer this flexibility and ability to change up our environment. At times I have disliked nursing but the flexibility has made it all worth it.
Yes! Several times I have considered getting out of nursing (especially in the last 2 years), but it is the flexibility for my family that keeps me here.
I always wanted to be a psychologist and accepted a job as a mental health worker at a psychiatric hospital to build my resume in preparation for PhD programs. I was absolutely amazed at the skill, knowledge, and passion the psychiatric nurses had and what a great work life balance they appeared to have. I am now a developmental disabilities nurse administrator and am working on graduate school to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I work hard every day and am constantly challenged on how I can make a bigger impact on peoples lives - I cannot imagine being in any other discipline.
Bones17
22 Posts
Why did you choose to do nursing over other healthcare careers (e.g. paramedic, doctor etc.)?