Any NURSES out there?

S

swimnfit

Cathlete
I'm thinking of a career change and considering getting my RN. I already have a BA degree in Psychology, but have been working in the business world for several years (although I think my official title would be "military wife.") Does anyone have any insights into the profession...what it's like day to day? Why did you become a nurse? Was it all you thought it would be? Would you do it again? What kind of opportunities are there? Is the money worth all the time in school?

I've been looking at the schools in my area and it looks like I'll be waiting a good 2 - 3 years to get in, which I find frustrating. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been through this, so for those of you went through that wait, or are waiting right now to get into school, was it worth it? Please share your experiences and insights.

Thanks
Nicole
 
Hi Nicole,

I'm not a nurse but used to work in HR at a hospital. I did my MBA thesis on the nursing shortage. So, I feel like I may as well be a nurse after all the research I had to do with & around nurses. However, I also wear the official title of military wife! Good company to be in!

Only you will be able to answer if it will be worth the wait for nursing school but I can tell you the money is good & the hours are very long in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

What I would suggest is that you use the next 2 to 3 years to get your sciences & other prerequisites (sociology, nutrition, etc) out of the way--yeah you probably had 2 or 3 of them to get your BA but most schools require that your A&P be no more than 10 years old (are you that old--I am!).

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best.
 
I am a nurse practitioner but worked as a nurse while I finished my MS. Nursing is such a great field in my opinion because it can take so many forms-in the hospital, the home, the office, shopping centers, schools, large corporations...the list goes on and on! The opportunites and money can be as much as you want it to be. It just depends on when, where, and how much you work. I love helping people (sounds corny but true) and have enjoyed my career in health care so far...I've seen some VERY sad cases but have been the part of many joyful ones. Nurses are the hands that hold and care and often aren't given that much credit, except from those that count. As far as education-there's LPN or LVN, RN, BSN, nurse practitioner, MSEd., nursing doctorate, certified nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist and clinical nurse specialist. I'm sure I missed a few!
good luck!
julie
 
Thanks for the replies! Yes, I've already done the sciences A&P, Micro, Organic Chem etc. recently enough. Thinking of getting the CNA and getting a job as a nursing assistant to gain some experience.

Julie...did you get your BSN? Or did you have another degree like I do and just get your RN and then MSN? I've been thinking ahead to nurse practitioner for the reasons you mentioned...so many ways to be a nurse. I love helping people too, something I don't currently get to do, but have had many jobs in the past (due to being the military wife) where I had opportunities for a short while to be in a helping capacity. Those are the jobs where I don't watch the clock!
 
I am an RN in the ER. I can't really speak for Nursing in general but can only tell you about ER life. It is grueling and stressful both physically and mentally. The running joke is that as you grow older you become calmer because your alcohol consumption escalates. Personally, I just run more. The noble idea of helping people gradually starts to fade once you encounter the general public. But the few and the rare ones usually make you understand why you stay. The job is tough and different and the personalities are always colorful and bizarre. I can't see myself doing anything else. If it's a happy and peaceful life you want though, Nursing isn't it.
 
>I am an RN in the ER. I can't really speak for Nursing in
>general but can only tell you about ER life. It is grueling
>and stressful both physically and mentally. The running joke
>is that as you grow older you become calmer because your
>alcohol consumption escalates. Personally, I just run more.
>The noble idea of helping people gradually starts to fade once
>you encounter the general public. But the few and the rare
>ones usually make you understand why you stay. The job is
>tough and different and the personalities are always colorful
>and bizarre. I can't see myself doing anything else. If it's a
>happy and peaceful life you want though, Nursing isn't it.


I'm an RN too and much of this I agree with. I work in an outpatient oncology department. Not that this is my area of choice, but because the hours were better than most nursing hours.
I got burnt out on the shiftwork,holidays, etc..
Not that i want to be discouraging, but if i had it to do over again, i don't think nursing would be my choice. You wanted honest input i hope

:) :)
 
Hi Nicole,

I also received my BA in Psych before going to nursing school. There was no waiting list back then to get into a school, so I can't help you there. I've been a nurse for 18 years and up until May I worked critical care, mostly 12 hour nights but a little bit of all shifts and days, etc.

There are endless opportunities, if you're willing and able to think outside the "traditional" role. With your previous degree and business background you can basically call the shots. I currently work for an insurance company doing medical chart review and training claim reps and management on medically-related issues. Very Corporate America with all the perks, etc., and I LOVE it!! I haven't looked back once at "traditional" bedside nursing since taking this job.

I loved what I did, but like a lot of nurses I became burned out very quickly. It's a physically and emotionally demanding job, but the rewards are also great.

The money is worth it. Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat. No, it's nothing like I thought it would be - it is SO much more than that.

Best of luck to you!!

Carol
:)
 
I am an RN too. I have my BSN. While I was in nursing school I worked as a "tech" on a busy telemetry unit. This helped me in 2 ways. I was more confident in school, and I gained a lot of experience before I got my license. After I graduated I continued to work on the same floor I was a tech on. (a tech is basically a CNA without any special certification. You help the nurses with patient care, run to the lab and pharmacy, pass meal trays, help patients up to the bathroom, walk patients in the hall, empty sharps containers, wheel patients out to their car upon discharge,feed patients that need to be fed, make beds, pass water and ice, and yes empty bedside commodes and bedpans, change diapers, empty emesin basins, bathe patients, etc, etc, etc.)

I live in central Florida. I worked in a very busy county hospital. In a telemetry unit you are supposed to be assigned to no more than 4-5 patients by law. I would have at least 8 every day. I worked 3 days a week, 12 hour shifts. I would often times "cover" an LPN that had 8 patients of her own. So, in reality I was responsible for 16 patients. LPN's aren't allowed to perform certain duties like give IV push drugs, etc.

To make an incredibly long story short my first nursing job was terribly stressful, emotionally and physically. I would end up crying on my husbands shoulder every night when I got home from work.
I would literally have to ignore patients because I was so overloaded with work. I ate my lunch standing up everyday in the breakroom. One year I worked Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. I worked like this for two years and then I said enough was enough and went to work for another hospital that had a better nurse to patient ratio. Of course that job was stressful too, but not as grueling as my first job.

Being a nurse is multi-faceted. You are not just the nurse, you are the housekeeper, the dietician, the case-manager, the aide, etc. Family members can sometimes be very mean, patients can be mean, and of course doctors can also be mean. You learn quickly not to take this seriously. Nursing is not for the faint of heart or overly sensitive person. You have to be a team player and be highly motivated.

Like an earlier poster said, there is no limit to where the profession can take you. I do believe though a background in the hospital setting is extremely beneficial.

Would I do it again? Probably. Do I enjoy nursing? Yes as a profession I think nursing is a wonderful and noble job to have. The money is excellent, and the flexibility is bar none! You can work once a week if you want. I did this for a couple of years.
I will say I don't miss it. I have been at home with my kids for about 2 years now and I don't miss it at all. Of course I miss the money, but there will be a time when I work again when my kids are older. The main reason I would go back to work as a nurse is the flexibility. If I had to work 9-5 I would definitely not be a nurse. I have thought about getting my Master's in education, but that is another story.

My advice is this:
1. Have a goal in mind for what you want to do.
2. Find out what facility treats their employees the best, don't mess around and work for any others.
3. Know that if you are in a situation that you dread you can always go on to something different.
4. Work as a CNA and find out for yourself if you think Nursing is for you.

P.S. The waiting list for my program was "so long" also. It took me about 6 months to get into the program. Get your prerequisites done and get your name on the list. You will probably get in sooner than you think.

Good luck and best wishes,
Lori
 
I've been a nurse (BSN) for 22 yrs., all at the bedside. I don't know what I thought it would be, but it's harder than I ever imagined and also more wonderful.
Here are some perks I've enjoyed: being able to work full-time, part-time, per diem, depending on what was going on in the rest of my life. No kids? Worked full time. Small kids? part-time, I worked every w/e for a yr. (work 24 hr. get pay and benefits for 40 hrs). This meant my husband could watch the kids, saving $ on child care, and helping him "bond";-) . When that got old, I worked part time nites. Again, no child care expense (but you sleep in cat naps!) and when they were sick, my husband could stay w/ them and I could take them to the doc. No stress over missing work w/ a sick kid, or going to work and feeling lousy about leaving them.
Now they're in high school. A million activities and need to be driven everywhere afterschool. I'm home every day when they are to do the schlepping. I name my schedule (per diem, straight pay, no benefits).
Downside: eating meals standing up, answering call bells in the middle of them. Working my share of holidays, we've come to celebrate either the day b4 or after. It's not 'the day' that matters, it's being together. And when I do work holidays, my co-workers and I usually make stuff at home to bring in. You get to make wonderful friends w/ the people you work w/ and some get to be a 2nd family. (I've worked in 5 hospitals d/t moving, and have made and kept good friends everywhere).
Would I do it again? Absolutely. It's a degree w/ tremendous versatility and a profession that is dignified.
Good luck to you!
Valerie
 
I went to a four year college right off to get my BSN then straight into my Masters. I went to route of NP because I liked the nursing philosophies but I also enjoyed medicine, but after watching the docs in our rural hospital spend 24-7 at the hospital and clinic I knew I didn't want to go to med school. My mother is also a nurse and really kinda pushed me to think hard about NP as I liked ER so well I wanted to stay...but I'm so glad I went on...it's truly the best of medicine and nursing combined. I live in rural Iowa and this state is very "NP friendly", so my practice is family-I don't do OB and only go to ER if there is a disaster going on. But NO weekends, call, nights...but even if I were to stay with bedside nursing or home health I definitely could achieve the same schedule.
When I went through both my BSN and MS, there wasn't a wait to get into college...if you already have your BS (I couldn't remember if you had a BA or BS) there are programs that are ultraintense where you graduate with your RN in one year (Creighton University was developing this when I was in grad school and it was very popular)
anyway-good luck and definitely work in the health field in some capacity for a while to get a better idea of whether it's for you!
julie
 
I have been a nurse for 16 years now and I have never regretted it! The money is decent and I have the option of only working one day a week. (I am per diem.) I work in Neonatal ICU and really am happy with this specialty. Others have mentioned not being able to take their breaks but I cannot say that the same is true for me. Very rarely do I ever miss any breaks!! I usually also have time to chat a bit with my co workers as well. This is made easier by the fact that in most NICUs there are more than one patient in each room and therefore more than one nurse in the room also. In California there are nurse patient staffing ratio laws and you should not be assigned an unmanageable number of patients no matter what unit you work on!
I have to say that the weekends and holidays are frustrating at times because of course that is when the rest of your family is off of work/school but the options in nursing are varied and working in a hospital is not your only choice. Good luck in your decision!
 
I recently applied to RN school here in Az. I hope to get in by summer of next year! I took the CNA class but have yet to get certified. I really should soon, atleast before school! It is nice to hear some positive things about the profession, instead of negative. There is alot of negativity out there;it can be so discouraging for someone looking to enter the field. I would love to be like some of you all...working weekends only....or hey, only "when I want". I look forward to the challenge of it all. We'll see.......

Good Luck in your pursuits Nicole!
 
If you have a BA you're overqualified to get a CNA. I think that it takes 10-12 months to get the certification when you can just spend the extra year or two get a BSN. Sounds like you have all the sciences. Do you have statistics?

I can't believe it would take you that long to get in. There is an increasing nursing shortage & in Texas they really recruit students. I also have seen where the bring nurses from the Phillipines & other countries because of the shortage.

One more point I'd like to make is that there are many avenues available in the nursing field as a previous poster mentioned. If you like science and health, you would not be disappointed.

Good Luck!
Marla
 
Another nurse practitioner here. I've been a nurse for over 16 years. 10 of those where spent in a children's hospital doing mostly oncology but also did er, ped icu and neonatal icu. Now I do family practice as an NP and love it!!! Actually I have a job offer to go back to the children's hosp oncology unit as a NP and am seriously considering it. There are good times and bad times and burn out can be high. But I've found there is so much you can try and that kept me going. My true love is working with kids. I really would consider going the NP route if I were you- it gives you many options. Good luck

Catherine
 
I worked on a peds. unit for my fist job in the early 80s. We had a big hem.onc. population and got close to so many kids (I was on an infant/toddler unit) and their families through their course of chemo, radiation, surgery etc. Many recovered, but some didn't. I remember them all and their families w/ the greatest affection. Being a nurse is a satisfying, life changing experience. It made me a better person.
Valerie
 
Hi,
I don't post much, but I am an RN and have been for 15 years. It is a great profession and I have never regretted my decision to be a nurse. There is so many different things you can do as a nurse. I am currently working in an outpatient oncology clinic which I love but I have also worked with kidney patients, in NICU and endoscopy. Nursing and my family obligations go well together. I have been able to work around my kids, when they were infants I worked nights, now that they are in school I work monday thru Friday 9-5:30, and I have most weekends off. I also find with nursing any where I go I could find a job which is a big plus for me. Sorry this is long but I feel this is a great job. I feel good by helping others.
Phyllis
 
Hi!

I just wanted to send a big "Thank You" to everyone who answered my post. I had no idea there were so many Nurses on this forum! Thank you for being candid and honest in each of your responses, and I really do like the long posts. You have all been very helpful to me and I will keep you posted as to how my nursing career goes.

Thanks again!
Nicole:)
 
I am getting on board a little late, but I thought I’d share my thoughts. I have been a nurse since 1993, and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) since 1998. I work in a family planning clinic and am a clinical instructor for the local nursing program… I haven’t been working since my son was born in July though.

I agree with what has already been said, hopefully, I won't repeat too much. :)


<what it's like day to day?>
Day to day for a nurse varies with the practice setting (hospital, corporate, long term care, clinic, private practice, etc.), the nursing specialty (med/surg, Ob, psych, school, parish, etc.), the shift (crazy shift, quiet and calm shift, etc.), and the staff (are you working with a dream team? Is there Backbiting? Bickering? Etc.).

At the clinic, I see clients every 15 minutes from from 8:30am to 5 pm with a one hour lunch. I do thorough head-to-toe assessments including clinical breast exams, paps, infection checks, STD/STI screenings, and pelvics. I diagnose, treat, and prescribe… talk with clients via phone regarding questions/concerns… consult with my collaborating physician as needed…. follow-up paps, mamms, screenings, labs, etc. .. LOTS of client education (my favorite responsibility :).


<Why did you become a nurse?>
I want to help people. I chose nursing rather than one of the other “helping professions” because of my interests. I have been interested in Anatomy and Physiology (A & P) since I was very small. I can remember looking through my parents’ books that were related to the body and health when I was 7. I was (and am) completely intrigued by reproductive anatomy and physiology, which explains my choice of specialization. I enjoy reading and studying A & P, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc. Nursing integrates the physical, biological, social, and psychological sciences to provide nursing care. I do remember fantasizing about being a nurse when I was 2 or 3… I watched those 1970’s medical shows and was inspired. :)


<Was it all you thought it would be?>
As Valerie said… “I don't know what I thought it would be, but it's harder than I ever imagined and also more wonderful”.

I wasn’t prepared for the level of negativity that Janice mentioned. Our instructors warned us that nurses “eat their young”. I have witnessed this, but the good news… it does not happen everywhere. There are also the difficult doctors, clients/patients, and families. Oh, and the administration.

I don’t believe I REALLY understood the depth of knowledge required for a competent nurse. The MO State Board of Nursing defines the following:
“'Professional nursing', the performance for compensation of any act which requires substantial specialized education, judgment and skill based on knowledge and application of principles derived from the biological, physical, social and nursing sciences, including, but not limited to: … The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments”

It sounded simple enough… before I started nursing school}( ...I was so naive. Take medication administration… a nurse must understand a medication’s classification, usual dose, common routes of administration, action in the body, contraindications, side effects/adverse reactions, drug interactions, nursing implications and considerations, why the client/patient is taking the med, how to evaluate effectiveness, and how the med relates to the disease process (or prevention in some cases). A nurse is responsible for his or her actions. So, if a physician writes an incorrect order, a nurse who administers the med as ordered is responsible for the error. Substantial specialized education is right.

Personally, the wonders of nursing outnumber the negatives. Nursing provides the opportunity to share very personal experiences… loss… the birth of a new life… and everything in-between. Believe me… it is truly wonderful and touches your life in ways you can’t even imagine. The idea of helping people hasn't faded (yet), but I do have more realistic expectations now than in the beginning... I ave learned that helping does not changing a person's behaviors. Unfortunaltely, I had a non-compliant father with diabetes (a smoker who had multiple strokes, a few heart attacks, & kidney failure) and a non-compliant mother with scleroderma (still smoking) to teach me all about realistic expecations though.


<Would you do it again?>
I ABSOLUTELY would do it again!!!!!!


<What kind of opportunities are there?>
OMG, endless. There is hospital nursing with a variety of specialties, nursing research, correctional nursing, forensic nursing, school nursing, nursing education, administration, corporate, nurse entrepreneurs, legal consultants, nurse attorneys, advanced practice nursing… just to name a few.

Then there are the undiscovered opportunities… nursing history is rich with nurses who have made significant contributions to health care and beyond… consider nursing greats Florence Nightingale, Margaret Sanger the founder of Planned Parenthood, Clara Baton who established the American Red Cross, and many others.


<Is the money worth all the time in school?>
That is subjective. I really enjoy my career and that is definitely worth all the time in school. I agree the money is decent for the time in school; however, when evaluating the worth of becoming a nurse you should also factor in personal satisfaction/interests; willingness to work the hours, shifts, holidays, & weekends often required; the and risks/liabilities associated with nursing


<...for those of you went through that wait, or are waiting right now to get into school, was it worth it?>
The nursing school I attended accepted 32 of over 200 applicants. I was lucky and accepted my first attempt.

Well, I could go on and on... as you can see. :) I've rambled enough. I wish you the best of luck with your decision.


Autumn
 
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