Calling all nurses! (Or nurses-to-be)

[npmommie]

Hi everyone! It's been fun reading this thread.

Like MomRN, I also graduated in May 2009 with my BSN and passed boards in June 2009. I started the job search around March 2009, and I did not get a job offer until the end of July 2009. At that point I was grateful for any nursing job I would have been offered. I work on a stroke floor. My main interest in nursing is OB/GYN/midwifery, and it was that way before I entered nursing school. Going through OB clinicals has only confirmed that passion. I do plan to pursue a career in this field one day. I also hold a BS in Psychology, which is another interest of mine. I don't have a super strong desire to do psych nursing in general, but I think I would enjoy certain aspects of psych nursing (i.e., very specific patient populations). I really do enjoy psych/mental health.

I plan to apply to grad school this summer.

what kind of grad school program are you applying to ?

I work as an NP in psych, geriatric population. kind of fell into the job,not something I ever had a big interest in, but I love it.
I love the population and when you see your interventions working its great!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Urgh. I thought you all may understand this. There was a mix up in my registration status so I have to wait to register for classes for Spring 2010... of course, I'm registering for A&P 1 and almost every class was full!!! I have to go all the way across town to a different campus of my college on Tues and Thurs to take it from a notoriously terrible and very hard professor. And at the Nursing school I am applying to (OHSU) if I don't have a 4.0, forget about it. Hopefully I'll be able to drop in on another clas but GRRRR that's so annoying.

Vent over. It would be really cool of the to have one or two more A&P 1 classes at the campus I go to.

 

[Sehsun]

what kind of grad school program are you applying to ?

I work as an NP in psych, geriatric population. kind of fell into the job,not something I ever had a big interest in, but I love it.
I love the population and when you see your interventions working its great!

Hi npmommie! I am hoping to pursue an MSN (CNM).

I am really glad to hear that you love your job and that it is rewarding for you!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Hello.. My name is Telly. I am thinking of going back to school. I'm thinking of going into Nursing. I think my main reason why I want to get into Nursing is that it's in demand. I'm just facinated and always curious about the nurses I see at the hospital. And I always tell myself that this is a good career to go into. And now that I am seriously thinking of going back to school, I'm just curious if Nursing is the way to go for me or maybe something else like Physical Therapist or maybe as a Medical Lab Technician (Med Tech) or something else..

I would like to know the pros and cons of being a nurse. I'm a single (widow) mom of 3 who would like to better my life so I can take good care of my family. I was in the optical field for about 13 years. I was an optician. And I just want to do something else. Thank you!

 

[AshleyW]

Urgh. I thought you all may understand this. There was a mix up in my registration status so I have to wait to register for classes for Spring 2010... of course, I'm registering for A&P 1 and almost every class was full!!! I have to go all the way across town to a different campus of my college on Tues and Thurs to take it from a notoriously terrible and very hard professor. And at the Nursing school I am applying to (OHSU) if I don't have a 4.0, forget about it. Hopefully I'll be able to drop in on another clas but GRRRR that's so annoying.

Vent over. It would be really cool of the to have one or two more A&P 1 classes at the campus I go to.

I'm having this issue too.

I took Health Skills 1 last semester, and this semester I was supposed to take Health Skills 2. But.. I work 8:30-5 Mon-Fri.. so I'm applying for the night/weekend RN program at school. So what time is Health Skills 2 offered? 8am. That's the only option. Soo now I have to wait until Summer semester to take it, when I can adjust my work schedule. Ughhh. I had the same issue with A&P, too.. it took me 3 semesters of trying to register before I was able to get in because the sections were always full. I'm FINALLY in A&P 2, and it's midterm, so.. almost.. done.. with.. pre-reqs.. finally!!!

 

[Disneylover79]

I got my ARNP license today!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

congratulations!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Hello.. My name is Telly. I am thinking of going back to school. I'm thinking of going into Nursing. I think my main reason why I want to get into Nursing is that it's in demand. I'm just facinated and always curious about the nurses I see at the hospital. And I always tell myself that this is a good career to go into. And now that I am seriously thinking of going back to school, I'm just curious if Nursing is the way to go for me or maybe something else like Physical Therapist or maybe as a Medical Lab Technician (Med Tech) or something else..

I would like to know the pros and cons of being a nurse. I'm a single (widow) mom of 3 who would like to better my life so I can take good care of my family. I was in the optical field for about 13 years. I was an optician. And I just want to do something else. Thank you!

I have to admit I am a purist who believes that to thrive in nursing you need what i would label a "calling". There are just too many easier jobs that pay well, to just chose nursing as a good career.

If you want to do more research I know Johnson and Johnson has a great website for people thinking about nursing.

 

[laurie31]

Urgh. I thought you all may understand this. There was a mix up in my registration status so I have to wait to register for classes for Spring 2010... of course, I'm registering for A&P 1 and almost every class was full!!! I have to go all the way across town to a different campus of my college on Tues and Thurs to take it from a notoriously terrible and very hard professor. And at the Nursing school I am applying to (OHSU) if I don't have a 4.0, forget about it. Hopefully I'll be able to drop in on another clas but GRRRR that's so annoying.

Vent over. It would be really cool of the to have one or two more A&P 1 classes at the campus I go to.

Thsi may not make you feel better now, but you may do well in the long run to take A&P from the hard teacher. You will have a great foundation for pathophysiology and things will make so much more sense later if you have a really grasp of A&P. However, if by terrible, you mean the professor isn't a good teacher, then yeah, hope to get changed. It is frustrating trying to get all your prerequisites in.

 

[laurie31]

Hello.. My name is Telly. I am thinking of going back to school. I'm thinking of going into Nursing. I think my main reason why I want to get into Nursing is that it's in demand. I'm just facinated and always curious about the nurses I see at the hospital. And I always tell myself that this is a good career to go into. And now that I am seriously thinking of going back to school, I'm just curious if Nursing is the way to go for me or maybe something else like Physical Therapist or maybe as a Medical Lab Technician (Med Tech) or something else..

I would like to know the pros and cons of being a nurse. I'm a single (widow) mom of 3 who would like to better my life so I can take good care of my family. I was in the optical field for about 13 years. I was an optician. And I just want to do something else. Thank you!

I'm with Judy. The first part I bolded is not enough, and will never be enough, no matter what they pay you. There just isn't enough money to compensate you for the work of nursing if you don't also enjoy it.

However, you say you are curious, so maybe you WOULD love the job if you got to know it. I do! Even though I have days where I drive home repeating, "I'm lucky to have a job in this economy," over and over to myself.

The intrinsic rewards of nursing are many, and the flexibility of the schedules you can choose to workk make it a great job for a mom, imho. Yes, you can be stuck working holidays, but if that's a big deal for you, you can choose to work someplace that isn't open on holidays. (one day surgery, outpatient clinics, doctor's offices, school nursing, occupational health nursing, etc.) The variety is amazing, and despite the lack of jobs at this moment, there will be a great need for nurses in the future. It's a great career. It's like that commercial for...um, the Army? the Peace Corp? Anyway, the tag line was: It's the toughest job you'll ever love. That's nursing.

 

[emh1129]

What a great thread!
I'm in my last year of nursing school and will be graduating in December of this year. I plan to go for my MSN (CNM) eventually.

I'm completely exhausted right now and *so*happy that our school has spring break next week. I'm going to catch up on my sleep, play with my kiddos, and probably stock the freezer with lots of meals to get us through the six weeks between spring break and summer!!

This is our toughest semester, so once I've made it through this, I'll feel much better. The last semester is a bit easier.
Glad to see other nursing students and nurses here!

 

[emh1129]

Hi Pea,

BA in English (very hand for nursing ). Taking prereqs slowly but surely - I only have four to take. The plus to the UCONN program is I could get the prereqs done online rather than fighting for a spot at the community college. I'm wondering if CT is going to start only hiring BSNs - isn't that what MA is doing now? Trying to plan ahead.

I'm in CT, too
You could take a lot of the prereqs online through UConn and still transfer them to the comm. college if you decide to do that, as long as they match up (I'd check first, of course). I transferred most of mine (previous English major here, too ).

And I really don't see them phasing out ADN RNs anytime soon, so I wouldn't worry about that. You should see some of the nursing job fairs at the comm. colleges-- sooo many hospitals there (and they pay to have a booth) and they are each trying to show you why their hospital is the best- it's such a great feeling to know they highly respect these nursing programs and want to hire their grads!

 

[Sehsun]

I got my ARNP license today!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, that is so great!!

What a great thread!
I'm in my last year of nursing school and will be graduating in December of this year. I plan to go for my MSN (CNM) eventually.

I'm completely exhausted right now and *so*happy that our school has spring break next week. I'm going to catch up on my sleep, play with my kiddos, and probably stock the freezer with lots of meals to get us through the six weeks between spring break and summer!!

This is our toughest semester, so once I've made it through this, I'll feel much better. The last semester is a bit easier.
Glad to see other nursing students and nurses here!

I hope to pursue my MSN as a CNM as well! I wish you the best in your last year of nursing school. My 3rd semester was my toughest as well. You are getting there! Have a wonderful spring break and hope you get a lot of rest!

 

[laurie31]

I got my ARNP license today!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome!!!

 

[attain]

What a great thread! So nice to see nurses from all different nursing fields. I have been a nurse for 6.5 years and am currently pursuing my MSN and will graduate May 14th!! I currently work as a research coordinator in cardiology, which I love! I help run studies on the up-and-coming drugs and devices. Very cool to see new drugs and devices before they are FDA approved. I love what I do so much that my masters is in Clinical Research Management. I never knew this type of nursing existed when in nursing school, but it is nothing like the "research" class you take in school. I love that I have a M-F, 9-5 job, with all nights and holidays off.

To add to the previous conversation, I do not think you have to have a calling to be a nurse. The honest truth is that I changed my degree in college because my twin sister did. She is afraid of needles and changed again soon after to business. I didn't want to do business and figured I would stick with nursing until I found something better. I guess I never found anything better. I did not really enjoy nursing until I found my current job. I did CVICU for 2.5 years and didn't like it, but knew the experience would help in the future. It did since my current boss likes to hire people with ICU experience. But, you couldn't pay me enough to go back. Just my opinion. (I'm sure this makes me sound shallow, but I hope I'm not!)

 

[Kellydelly]

Hello.. My name is Telly. I am thinking of going back to school. I'm thinking of going into Nursing. I think my main reason why I want to get into Nursing is that it's in demand. I'm just facinated and always curious about the nurses I see at the hospital. And I always tell myself that this is a good career to go into. And now that I am seriously thinking of going back to school, I'm just curious if Nursing is the way to go for me or maybe something else like Physical Therapist or maybe as a Medical Lab Technician (Med Tech) or something else..

I would like to know the pros and cons of being a nurse. I'm a single (widow) mom of 3 who would like to better my life so I can take good care of my family. I was in the optical field for about 13 years. I was an optician. And I just want to do something else. Thank you!

Unfortunately there is no longer a demand for nurses, not in MI, anyway. I just graduated in December with my ADN and passed the state board exam last week. I can't get a job. Many women who should be retiring are holding on to their jobs because their retirement funds took a dive, or their husband's are unemployed. Many nurses hold positions at more than one hospital. There is a TON of new nurses flooding the market and nobody to hire them. All the jobs require experience, which most graduate nurses do not have. So don't get into nursing because you think it's a secure way to land a job. Of course by the time you get accepted into a program, do pre-reqs, and then actually complete nursing school in a few years the economy might have changed. I don't think you need a calling to be a nurse. I work with too many crabby wenches to believe that most nurses have been called to their job!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you Judy and Laurie for taking your time to reply. I will do some research on nursing so I can understand it better. My sister is a RN. She was at the kidney dialysis for a long time and she decided to leave the hospital and work for health insurance.. then later left that career. I think she is back to being a nurse. She is now 60 (I know a big gap in age. There's 7 children in the family.) I haven't talked to her or any of my family about going back to school. My mom knows, but no one else. I just don't want to open my mouth (not just yet) and then my plan fails.

My friend is back in school for nursing. This is her last year in school. I tried to get a hold of her to talk more about it, but I guess her phone # changed. I'll see if I can get a hold of her online.

I didn't read the whole thread.. but when I get a chance I will. I'm sure there's tons of great infos and shared experiences here.

I just wanted to say.. I have great respect for all of you. I know your job is not easy.. and to go to school to be a nurse is not easy (not to mention, expensive too!). I know it's not all about the money, but the reward knowing that you have helped someone whether it be physically or emotionally or both. I understand about being devoted to helping people and liking what you're doing.

Thank you again.. I'll certainly will do my research. = )

 

[*Fantasia*]

Unfortunately there is no longer a demand for nurses, not in MI, anyway. I just graduated in December with my ADN and passed the state board exam last week. I can't get a job. Many women who should be retiring are holding on to their jobs because their retirement funds took a dive, or their husband's are unemployed. Many nurses hold positions at more than one hospital. There is a TON of new nurses flooding the market and nobody to hire them. All the jobs require experience, which most graduate nurses do not have. So don't get into nursing because you think it's a secure way to land a job. Of course by the time you get accepted into a program, do pre-reqs, and then actually complete nursing school in a few years the economy might have changed. I don't think you need a calling to be a nurse. I work with too many crabby wenches to believe that most nurses have been called to their job!

Thanks Kellydelly. Hopefully if I do decide to go into Nursing and by the time I am done, I hope there will be great demand again in this field. Who knows, maybe I might chance my mind half way through. My two sisters work in the lab at the hospital (Med Tech). They seem to like what they're doing. Then I have two family- friends who are physical therapists. I just kind of wanna do my little research before I talk to them.

 

[emh1129]

I got my ARNP license today!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!

 

[emh1129]

I don't think you need a calling to be a nurse. I work with too many crabby wenches to believe that most nurses have been called to their job!

hehe.. I've met a few crabby ones, too.