OT: Nurses--would you recommend the career? Trying to decide what to be when I grow up!
I am thinking of going back to school in the fall. I realize I don't have to have a major tacked down in order to start knocking out some general classes, but I'm leaning toward nursing at this point. I'd love to hear from any of you about how you like your career as a nurse. Pros? Cons? Real (not inflated to get people into the program!) earning potential? Is it really tough on your body where lifting, bending, etc., are concerned? Also, I'm very interested in what other jobs you've gotten into besides hospital nursing. I just want to make sure I have more than one avenue to pursue with a nursing degree. I've heard of people working with insurance companies and lawyers, etc. I'm torn because I also have a desire to do something related to diet and exercise, but just am not sure what that might be at this point.
Thanks for your answers. Hoping your answers will help me find some answers of my own!
Have a great weekend!!
Denise
Thanks for your answers. Hoping your answers will help me find some answers of my own!
Have a great weekend!!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
Hi! I'm an RN - graduated at the tender age of 21 - back in 1982. I was not University prepared - so do not have a BSc in Nursing. Back then we had schools of nursing - and we were diploma prepared - 3 yrs - all year round. And lots of time on the floors. In Canada - the entry for practice was changed in 2000 - now all the graduating nurses are degree prepared. I have no regrets - I have worked full time for the past 28yrs in the same hospital. I have worked Medicine, Cardiac Care, Paeds, ICU, General Surgery, did a stint as Team Leader on General Surgery - but wasn't my bag - preferred to be more at the bedside. Currently I am in ER where I have been for 11yrs. My type of nursing of VERY physically demanding. I doubt I would still be able to work at this point had I not had my RY. You have to really be a people person, a nurturer, a caregiver - a person who wants to give of themselves even when you miss your lunch or stay late. I feel so fortunate to have chosen a career that truly is ME. That's what I define myself as - a NURSE. Alas, things have changed so much - at least up here where I am. The politics, managerial style, unrealistic demands of some public and generalized crap that goes on makes it SO hard to do my job the way I want to do it. The way I used to do it. I worry for the new nurses - how will they cope and be wonderful caring nurses in a work environment that just seems to get more frustrating day by day. I can't comment on other areas of nursing. Were I a few years younger and at a different point in my life - I think I wouldd be branching out into a different area of nursing. Not sure where as I haven't given it much thought. Nursing is a wonderful occupation - but it's not for everyone. I would find out all I can and if possible shadow a few nurses for a day or so if you can find an institution where that sort of thing is allowed. Good luck to you!
Your point about worrying for new nurses I think is a valid one. Having been with my best friend in the hospital the other day, I really saw how these poor things are pulled in a million and one directions. I asked the one, "How do you do it when everyone needs you at once?" She just shrugged and said, "We just do what we can." Man that must be tough.
Thanks for all the information!
Denise
Thanks for all the information!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
Detox--wow. Having had a few alcoholics and drug addicts in my world, I can only imagine!! Is peds as tough as I imagine it is or are those tough little buggers way better patients than most adults?
Denise
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
I've been a nurse for 5 years as a second career. I had my Bachelors in ENglish so went backand got the associates in nursing, but my pay level is at BSN level anyway. From what I understand they are now requiring a BSN in order tobe hired at least in NJ. I became a nurse specifically to do hospice, but needed to "pay my dues" first. I worked nights (12 hour shifts) on busy post surgical floor and got some excellent experience,then finally got a job doing home hospice full time AND I LOVE IT! it's the most difficult, challenging, physically and emotionally draining and rewarding job EVER. I feel honored to be able to do it. I prefer home care to hospital work but both are pretty arduos, ALOT of lifting/twisting/pushing/pulling, etc. Home hospice allows me to spend quality time with one patient at a time, meeting their needs not only physically but emotionally and spiritually too....some other RN jobs I've had were supervising Home Health aides for a private staffing company (pretty easy work), and reviewing medicalclaims for a long term disability company (WORST job ever, you end up feeling like SATAN...looking for reasons NOT to pay someone). I also did a 2 month stint in the ER which was definitely NOT my cup of tea.
Nursing is a great career but IMHO I feel it also needs to be a calling or you're going to burn out quickly. There is always an opportunity to make good money but no qualms about it, you're gonna WORK HARD for it. Whatever you decide I wish you happiness and fulfillment. And feel free to contact me with any questions along the way!
Nursing is a great career but IMHO I feel it also needs to be a calling or you're going to burn out quickly. There is always an opportunity to make good money but no qualms about it, you're gonna WORK HARD for it. Whatever you decide I wish you happiness and fulfillment. And feel free to contact me with any questions along the way!
I do wonder if ER work would suit me at all. Guess you have to get used to that! I remember the insurance nurses that would come to the orthopedists office I used to work for. I believe I may have met Satan with a few of them! I can see that could be tough work and certainly not why I'd go into nursing. I want to help, not screw who I can out of money!
I'm not afraid of hard work--mostly praying for that happiness and fulfillment of which you spoke.
Thanks so much!! I may well be in touch!
Denise
I'm not afraid of hard work--mostly praying for that happiness and fulfillment of which you spoke.
Thanks so much!! I may well be in touch!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
I'm not a nurse but my mom, sister-in-law, aunt & cousin are all nurses and they all love their jobs. My mom started in the OR then worked for 20+ years in the emergency room. It was crazy at times but she never really complained. The downside that she had was scheduling. She sometimes would be scheduled to work on Christmas or some other holiday that she would have liked to have off to be w/ her family. When it was just me & my brother she would work or even volunteer to go in so another person could be off for a few hours to spend time w/ their family. Once she re-married it was more important to her that she wanted those holidays off. After 20 years they wouldn't work w/ her on the schedule and no other nurses were willing to help her out for a few hours like she did for others. At that time she decided that was it and chose to go Per Diem (no set schedule). Then as she got into her late 50's she just couldn't handle the 12+ hours shifts in the ER so she left the hospital. Now she does home visits and can pick & choose when she wants to work.
My sis-in-law works nights on the weekends in the NICU. Also loves it and it allows her and my step-brother the ability of her basically staying at home w/ the kids. When she's working he's at home and so they don't have to pay a babysitter. Kinda the best of both worlds of 2 incomes & a stay at home mom who can do all the activities w/ the kids for school & such.
If you have that givng nurturing personality & gross things/smells don't bother you I say go for it.
My sis-in-law works nights on the weekends in the NICU. Also loves it and it allows her and my step-brother the ability of her basically staying at home w/ the kids. When she's working he's at home and so they don't have to pay a babysitter. Kinda the best of both worlds of 2 incomes & a stay at home mom who can do all the activities w/ the kids for school & such.
If you have that givng nurturing personality & gross things/smells don't bother you I say go for it.
Gross things/smells--LOL!! There sure are plenty of those! When my dad was dying he had a decubitus ulcer down to his spine that he refused to let anyone treat but me. Let me tell you, I will NEVER forget that smell. So I figure if I can survive that, I can survive pretty much anything!
Love the idea of flexibility with the nursing. My husband works odd hours, so it would be one of the few fields that wouldn't require that classic 9-5.
Thanks!!
Denise
Love the idea of flexibility with the nursing. My husband works odd hours, so it would be one of the few fields that wouldn't require that classic 9-5.
Thanks!!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
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