Another Question for Nurses

S

swimnfit

Cathlete
A while back I posted a question to all Nurses to tell me about their career experiences as I am considering becoming a Nurse myself. I have completed all required courses including the nursing assistant course and have my CNA certificate. One of the things I remember alot of you who responded said was that there are so many opportunities in nursing besides just bedside nursing. The fact that there were so many options was one of the appealing things about the profession. Can you tell me exactly what kind of opportunities there are for nurses besides the bedside route? If someone is fresh out of school I would imagine that bedside would be the only real option until you get some experience under your belt. Is that true? If so, how long would it be before you could venture off into other areas?

I'm so curious because I have so many interests, and the idea that a profession could have so many potential avenues is very exciting to me. I'm at a point where I have to make a career decision so I am eager to hear everyones experiences. Anyone with any opinion feel free to chime in!

Thanks!
 
Hi! I'm an Associate Degree RN (my husband is also). I have been out of school for 8 years, he has been out for 2. I have worked in Dialysis, Interventional Radiology, and ICU/CCU. Currently I work in CCU and do open heart recovery. My husband has worked med/surg (as an LVN) IMU/Tele, and as an RN in IMU, ER, Pediatrics, and PACU. We are both taking classes this semester and will enter the Texas Tech ADN to BSN program in the fall of this year. I'm 40 and he's 45 and we are looking at Travel Nursing in the next couple of years. There's a lot of opportunities for travel nurses, but you need to get some basic experience first. That usually means a med/surg floor, but I went right out of school into specialty areas. My income has tripled and then some since I got out of nursing school 8 years ago.

After your BSN there's a MSN, a Nurse Practitioner, a PHD in nursing, a CNA (nurse anesthetist)... lots of areas. Or you can work in a Dr. office, or urgent care, or clinic or sales, or cosmetic angle (like vein clinics and spas. A lot of it depends on you, what you want, and how willing you are to learn.

We are pursueing our BSN not only for ourselves, but somewhere down the line as we age we hope to not do bedside nursing, as it is very physically and emotionally demanding. I am thinking about teaching some day. My DH is thinking about research since he has been involved in that area before.

We both enjoy nursing very much. We care about others, and have been able to make a good living nursing. Granted, we always feel we should be paid more, but we live a pretty decent lifestyle.

I hope this helps some. If you have any other questions please feel free to email me.

Even at the end of my most challenging, emotional, tiring days, I'm still glad I'm a nurse and do what I do. Not everyone feels that way.

Lynn
 
Gosh, that is so variable. The amount of experience required depends on specialty, location, policies, etc. My best friend went into mental health nursing right out of school, has never been a bedside nurse, and just accepted a position as the Director of Nursing Services for one of the state mental hospitals (she has been there since 1993). Some nurses go straight into physician offices, clinics, etc. I know Nurse Practitioners who went straight into a NP program after completing a basic program (ADN or BSN).

You may have found this information already, but here are links to nursing opportunities inside the hospital and outside. There is a wealth of information here.
http://www.discovernursing.com/inside.aspx
http://www.discovernursing.com/outside.aspx

You may find your very own path. P.A.R.I.N.T.S., located in St. Louis, is the first nurse operated program dedicated to improving the infertility process http://www.parints.com/aboutus/index.html. Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating was founded by Seattle Sutton, RN, BSN http://www.seattlesutton.com/aboutus.asp.

I hope this helps. :)

Autumn
 
Hi,
I've been an RN for 13 years. I started Med-Surg, and then after two years transitioned into home health care. I think to go into any other specialties,two years of a broad based nursing such as med surg is required. Along the way, i've tried nursing telephone triage/healthline. I've always gone back to home health. However, the past two years, i've been in Radiation Oncology. Not because of the line of work but because of the hours. I wish i could tell you i loved nursing, but i can't. The hours aren't always good, the pay is okay, but not enough for what we deal with. But it is a profession with alot of choices if you live in a location where employment is plentiful. If you get into an area you love, the rewards are great. Sometimes i feel "underrespected".

I would recommend if you do decide to be a nurse, DEFINATELY go to the BSN route. It is so hard to work your way thru BSN if you are a working nurse.

Good luck in your decision and let me know if i can answer any questions!!
Wendy
 
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