OT: Tell me about being a nurse

[DisneyFirefly]

I'm not a nurse (yet), but I'm working on pre-requisites to get into the RN program at my community college.

I just wanted to agree with what a previous poster said about getting your CNA certification first. I got my certificate because I wasn't sure if nursing was really for me and I felt that was a good way to find that out. I've since found out that I do love it, and a lot of the nurses I work with have told me that I'll make a good nurse. I work at a nursing home, so there are a lot of difficult patients and I do get paid very little for the amount of work I do, but in this economy, it's a job and I'd rather do this than not have a job.

I have been told that LPN is a good way to go if you need to get into the work force quickly, but that RN is ultimately the best way to go. I don't think you're crazy for trying it at your age. Good luck!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I think it's good to consider departments like EPS, the cath lab, ambulatory surgery recovery room, interventional radiology and recovery area, bronchoscopy suite, pre-admission testing, etc.. They are mostly weekday jobs, daytime/evening, with maybe being on call for weekends/holidays or none at all. There's minimal personal care as they patients come and go for their procedures. If the patient or family is particularly unpleasant, you will only be caring for them for a short time.

There are some very difficult areas to work in the hospital for a nurse. Not difficult in terms of know how, but difficult because they routinely have high patient to nurse ratios and you will be running around day after day, knocking yourself out. I always tell nursing students to choose their path wisely. If you spend a year on a telemetry unit, you will be able to get a job in a CCU, CTICU, any recovery room, cath lab, EPS lab, cardiology office, etc..

 

[ekatiel]

DH was an LPN when we got married seven years ago. He is now an Nurse Practitioner. I ditto everyone else's remarks about skipping the whole LPN thing (the only reason he was one was b/c he got his LPN training in the military). DH worked full time and went to school for six years straight to get first his BSN (that took the first three years) and then his MSN (that took the last three years). I'm not sure how he did it-- it was very rough on our family, but we made it through. The pay as an a RN is good-- especially if you're willing to work nights and weekends (which is what DH did). The hours suck and always working holidays sucks. Now that DH is an NP, he makes great money, and has a "normal" 9-5 weekends off job. He is SUPER happy as an NP. I would encourage those of you who are burnt out on nursing to think about getting your MSN and becoming an NP. It made all the difference in the world for DH. --Katie

 

[ireland_nicole]

I just wanted to chime in as a nurse who's trying to get back into this supposedly "recession proof" career. It's not. It cost me over $1500 to "refresh" and I have been seriously job hunting for 4 months. Prior to this, before staying at home w/ two kids w/ special needs, I worked first in the acute care setting and rose to relief management in less than a year. I didn't really like the hospital, felt like a well trained money could do my job, the ratios were so bad I bareley had enough time to pass meds let alone actually provide "care.". Transitioned into home care and then Hospice, both pediatric and adult. Loved it! - at least once I was able to work for a non profit... but the most demanding job I have ever had, and not compatible with a consistent family life. I've been turned down for jobs because I haven't had experience in the last year, or census drops, or there's a hiring freeze...

Where I live, there are 3 nursing schools- everyone I know who has graduated or is returning has not been able to find work.

I don't want to be negative, I'm a third generation nurse, and I really loved my career when I found my niche... but it's not exactly as it seems from the outside.

 

[Karpkg]

I'm wondering if you think the difference between trying for an LPN vs. RN is the length of schooling and how it'll impact your life. You could always go the RN route first by getting an associates degree, then if you decide the BSN route can do an accelerated or bridge program. I have a bachelor's degree in science, switched career route and did a 2 yr associates degree to become an RN, worked a while then did a bridge program to BSN. As a working RN I got dibs on all classes over the computer and scheduled work around clinicals. School was finished in 2 yrs working full time and my 3rd degree in my pocket.

An RN is an RN whether a 2 yr or 4 yr program; the associates program will only limit you if you decide to go further such as manager and such. But the difference between an LPN an RN is much bigger- as everyone is writing some places are phasing out LPNs.

RN 11 yrs now and still trudging along...

 

[RMulieri]

I have been a nurse for 17 years. I don't like it. It is not a career I would recommend for anyone. I feel it is a thankless job. You are underappreciated both finacially and emotionally. And no matter what, remember it is a business. What makes that statement terrible, it is the business of people. Not some number crunching idea for a new pencil. Insurance companies control everything. If the MD writes a med, and the insurance denies it, the patient won't get it. Are you prepared to know you are treating a sick person who the insurance companies are insisting get a less effective medicine? In my hospital, when the doctor writes an order, and it's wrong, it's up to the nurse to fix. Patient gets the wrong meal...up to the nurse to fix, someone vomits on the floor...up to the nurse to fix. There is no back up for the nurses. There is a terrible staffing shortage. Not that there aren't nurse needing jobs, just that with the economy and business cutbacks and "cost efficiency" they aren't hiring. Sicker patients, less staff, equals crazier situations. When I worked in the nursery there were times when I had 14 babies that I took care of myself. And just to let you know, this is a nationally accredited "Best /Top 100 Hospital" The money is decent, but not compared to the responsibilities I have. I also feel like a glorified secretary. There is so much paperwork, I don't have any quality time to spend educating the patients or their families. And PLEASE do not downplay the importance of family time. Sure its great if you can work weekends and your husband weekdays. It's nice that the kids don't have to go to strangers, but what about your relationship? If you work every weekend, what about the birthday parties and soccer games that you will miss? We have 3 kids and I miss more events than I make. And I have left my sick children at home to take care of other peoples sick children becasue it was my job to do so. That is a hard hard hard thing to do. How about Christmas morning??? No amount of money can compensate for missing those faces on Christmas morning. And let me tell you about all of the fun sicknesses you expose yourself to, that yes, you are exposing your children to as well. I have worked in long term care for 4 years. A hospital for 13 years. While in the hospital, I worked Med/Surg, Oncology, Maternal Child/Nursery and Pediatrics. I have left the hospital to work at a physicians office. I took a 50% paycut to do this. I wanted less stress, the same hours as 99% of the rest of the world, and mostly because the politics were ruining the profession I once loved. I am still a nurse because I am good at my job. I do care about the patients and am very responsible to my profession. But I do not enjoy it, and would strongly recommend many other careers as options before nursing.

Very well said.I am disgruntled as well.I used to love nursing, most days I still do.But it is a thankless profession.....If it all goes wrong-Blame the Nurse, If you don't like the care- Blame the nurse.If you don't like the food-Blame the nurse.If the Dr ordered something wrong, Blame the nurse.If all went well- Thank the Dr,or anybody but the nurse who probably missed her kids 1st birthday party, didn't eat,drink,or pee for 14 hrs straight and wants to cuss out the next person that asks her for something.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Very well said.I am disgruntled as well.I used to love nursing, most days I still do.But it is a thankless profession.....If it all goes wrong-Blame the Nurse, If you don't like the care- Blame the nurse.If you don't like the food-Blame the nurse.If the Dr ordered something wrong, Blame the nurse.If all went well- Thank the Dr,or anybody but the nurse who probably missed her kids 1st birthday party, didn't eat,drink,or pee for 14 hrs straight and wants to cuss out the next person that asks her for something.

Ok, I'll admit to laughing out loud at this. Ain't it the truth! And no matter how many times a nurse says this, no one believes her....until they have been a nurse for a while.

 

[Family Loves Disney]

DH was an LPN when we got married seven years ago. He is now an Nurse Practitioner. I ditto everyone else's remarks about skipping the whole LPN thing (the only reason he was one was b/c he got his LPN training in the military). DH worked full time and went to school for six years straight to get first his BSN (that took the first three years) and then his MSN (that took the last three years). I'm not sure how he did it-- it was very rough on our family, but we made it through. The pay as an a RN is good-- especially if you're willing to work nights and weekends (which is what DH did). The hours suck and always working holidays sucks. Now that DH is an NP, he makes great money, and has a "normal" 9-5 weekends off job. He is SUPER happy as an NP. I would encourage those of you who are burnt out on nursing to think about getting your MSN and becoming an NP. It made all the difference in the world for DH. --Katie

If you go the NP route, you need to be in a program by 2013. After 2013 NP will have to have their doctorate degrees instead of just a masters degree. I want my NP, but I am too burned out from school plus other family issues to even be in a program by then, so my RN will do just fine right now. This is a national law now, I thought it was just a state law, but my sil is a NP in another state and she says the same thing.

 

[Family Loves Disney]

Ok, I'll admit to laughing out loud at this. Ain't it the truth! And no matter how many times a nurse says this, no one believes her....until they have been a nurse for a while.

raising my hand - Preach to the choir on that one!

 

[jakoky]

This is a very interesting subject to me...my oldest daughter just decided to take the lpn course, with plans of eventually doing the RN one...I am very happy with her decision, because IF she doesnt like it, then only 1 year of schooling is behind her...also, here, in bc,canada LPN are huge demand...they are also paid well...i have a friend who just finished her lpn 2 years ago, and she just left one $30 dollar an hour job for one just a little less with way more benefits...How i look at this with my daughter, she will have NO debt after taking the lpn, but the rn course is 4 years and she will walk out with 3 years of some debt....That is another here, if you are willing to work rural for a few years, your students loans are paid by the government...Very interesting to read the RN side, and i am sure she will still doing that after a few years of working as an lpn...thanks to all who had something to say, it is really great to read all ends of the spectrum...BTW..thanks to all those who are nurses...my youngest dd spent 2 months in the scn when she born, and the nurses were phenomenal, and they helped me cope with everything...

 

[emh1129]

The median age of my graduating class was 36, and 80% of the class had children. .

It's about the same in our class (graduating this coming May). Lots of people going for second careers. Most already have children.

It's never too late!
I recommend getting started on the pre-reqs/ co-reqs if you think it's something you are serious about. When you get to the actual nursing courses & clinicals, you won't want to be taking any other co-reqs or things like that.

 

[homemaker]

Thank you all for your comments. There are a few things that I never thought about, like working the holidays. My children are still young (ages 1 - 13) and I don't think I will be happy to give that up. I think you really have to be passionate about the career to be good at it. I am starting to think that maybe nursing is the wrong profession for me. I will consider some other options as well. Thanks again.