Hey guys, and gals ;P
Before I start asking all my questions, let me tell you a bit about my self. I'm 19, my name is Victor, I was born in Poland, moved to the US in the 4th grade. I speak fluent Polish and, obviously - English. Highschool was never my thing, I never liked learning, doing home work, because it wasn't interesting to me. When the time came though, and I needed to learn something inorder to pass, I buckled down and studied my ass of to get the grade I needed/wanted. The main problem with everything was, I wasn't learning stuff that I thought would be beneficial to me, I mean really, how often will I need to use the pathygaram(sp) thyrom? But when I did have a class I liked, I excelled. Anyways...
I took a year of school, stupid decision now that I look back at it, but it did give me more time to try and figure out what I want to do with my life. I've been bouncing around a few careers, trying to look at the negatives and positives of each to try and figure out which is the right one for me. I am now at the point where I think becoming a RN would be something I am very interested in. I have lots of questions, and I don't expect answers to all of them, but even if YOU could answer just one, it would make a big difference.
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First of, I've been reading up on RNs, and the medical field in general. When I say I've been reading up, I mean... I've been READING UP. The job outlook is great, as always the medical field will continue to grow. I hear one doesn't stay a RN for too long, lots of people take online classes to become a BSN, MD, etc. The direction I would want to take is to go to my communtiy college, which is one of the best in the US, College of Dupage, and finish their 2 year Associates degree in Nursing.... 69 credit hours. The question I have though is, after I finish that course, would I be able to get a job as a full time RN? I'm sure there are some tests I would have to pass after I finish the class?
I can google "Duties of a RN" or "Registered Nurse Information" any time I want, but I won't get insight from people like youreselves, I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice and opinion on why this field is right for me. I mean don't get me wrong, you guys wont be making the decision, because you don't know WHO I am, but one thing about me is, I love to help people. I'm a very dedicated person, and I have no problem being told what to do. Its for the greater good, ya know?
I'd love to hear some of youre stories, advice, tips?, heck... ANYTHING!
I'll be reading this forum alot in the upcoming weeks, I really want to absorb as much real life experiences as I can, by reading stories from people like you.
I told my friends about maybe becoming a RN, most of them told me that it would be the perfect job for me, they know the type of person I am and how careing I can be... but its much more than that. I know I'd have to learn, a crap load. Seriously. Its a bit intimidating thinking of the next two years, and heck, the rest of my life will be a GREAT learning experience, but it is a bit scary. I hear most RNs work crazy hours, and that it isn't your typical 8-5 job. I know it must vary by place and location, but I'd like to know the typical hours most RNs work. Would me speaking Polish increase my wage, or even make me more hire-able?
What are some things they never tell you about being an RN, that you can only find out by working as one?
What are the things the books, DONT teach you.
Alright, I'm going to wrap it up... it's getting late. I'll check in tomorrow afternoon -- hopefully I'll have some wonderful replies.
Thanks!
