19 Year Old With No Direction...

[RenegadeAngel]

Hey everyone, I've been looking around this site for a few months randomly and finally decided to sign up. Well, a little about me first, it won't be long I promise

I'm 19 years old, unemployed right now and desperately trying to get back into school. I graduated from high school in June of 2010 and have basically been trying to find my way ever since. Money is so tight, and I just can't afford schooling without aid.

I am interested in both the medical field as well as the computer field (IT, data entry, things like that). I was planning on pursuing a bachelors in Nursing, then switched to possibly getting a bachelors in computer science.

You see, I'm not the most social person (at all, I'm a self proclaimed loner) but I love being able to help people. I also LOVE COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY. I adore it actually. Administrative work, computer work, data entry, office type settings are where I feel I belong. But in the same breath, I do love the medical field. I like learning about the body, the mind, illnesses (particularly mental illness) and my calling is helping people, making an impact in someones life is what makes me happy. However, I'm starting to think that Nursing may not be something I'd want to do for a long time. I fear it may bore me, and honestly, I like being able to do work independently and somewhat handling my own affairs without much interaction. Who knows, maybe I should be a manager of something! I'm really torn.

So here's my dilemma: Finding a field that combines computers and medical that I'll actually enjoy. I've also looked around this site and discovered that there may be a program in certain states where you can become a CNA and get a certificate (of sorts?) and work as a Nursing assistant once the program is completed. If this is true, then I think it'd be good to do the program and work as a CNA while pursuing a computer science degree. That way, if I ever want to go back into Nursing I can go back to school and still have a computer degree on my belt. And I'll be actively working in the field with a steady job. I just don't want to waste 4 year of my life on a degree I'm unsure about (or any degree for that matter!). Minds change quickly, and learning about something and working in the actual field are two different things. Everything looks good on paper (or textbooks in my case )

Any suggestions? I really need some insight. And advice is appreciated! Thanks guys.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Nursing informatics..... you'd be a nurse who deals with the computer issues in a hospital or facility large enough to employ one

If you're a self-proclaimed loner, the hardest part would be getting to the point of having the experience with patients to understand the medical aspects of the computers, but also probably having the best chances with a double major (more money, but better odds of being hired sooner into that sort of job). There must be some nursing informatics folks here somewhere :)

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Nursing Informatics might be your fit? However, it usually requires a few years of nursing experience, as well as getting through nursing school which involves a lot of bed baths, poop and other body fluids. If you really would like it though, it's worth a shot. I'm not sure of all the requirements for nursing informatics, but there is a group on this forum that tells all about it. Basically these are nurses who have been specially trained to be involved in the programs and IT side of computer charting. It's very medical and very computer based all in one.

Hope it helps.

[33762FL]

If you like both equally, I'd get a computer science degree and forget about nursing/medicine. Nursing is fairly over-saturated, it's hard to find a job. IT on the other hand has a MUCH better job market right now, jobs for programmers and architects especially in the banking industry) really picked up starting last year.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

You said you are worried nursing will be "boring" and frankly, since becoming a nurse 3 years ago that is the one word I would never use to describe nursing. There is never a dull moment at work. Since I am in a float pool, I do everything from pediatrics to ER to med-surg. No two days are every the same, and I like it that way.