Future nursing student.. or not?

I am a 29 yr old mother/wife of 2 kids (11 yrs, 6 yrs) and have recently started taking pre-req's at community college for their RN ADN program. I was interested in Nursing, but I have read blogs online & threads about how horrible Nursing is. I just want to know if this is true for a majority of the RN's out there. I've read about how RN's get no respect from pt's (which I knew already), pt's families, physicians, fellow nurses backstabbing each other all the time, cattiness, etc... the list goes on and on. I already suffer from anxiety disorder on a daily basis (I'm the type where you can't see it, but I am a wreck inside at times) and don't want to get in a field where even though the pay is good, it won't be enough to compensate for the stress I will go through. I am currently a Pharm Tech, but hated my last job doing prior authorizations, getting yelled at by MD's, sometimes nurses, and of course patients because our healthcare system is a wreck and poor patients are getting ripped off daily, so I decided to go back to school. Also the $$ for PT isn't too high. I guess I am just looking for help in making a decision, I'm not getting any younger and don't have time to waste if I hate Nursing. My other interest is becoming a Registered Dietician, but will take me longer since I need to obtain a BS.

Do some of you feel that you wished you went into another field besides Nursing, and if so, have you started school again for a career change? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I was 30 when I started nursing school. I was working in an office at the time and took prerequisites at night. I got an associates degree in nursing. I have the title RN. I knew from the start that I wanted to do babies only. I have worked in the NICU and nursery for almost 5 years now and love it. I worked full-time for the first year and a half. Then I switched jobs from a medical center to a community hospital and do prn work. I am paid 36.00 an hour in Texas plus shift differential for night shift. I have no benefits for the higher pay. I chose this because I can use my husbands insurance. My full time salary would be around 29.00 an hour plus shift differential. Once I get enough years behind me to catch up to the prn pay, I might switch to full time. I still work 6-8 days in a two week period because I choose to. My minimum requirements at one hospital is 1 day a week and at the other is 6 days in 4 weeks. From what I understand, California has a low patient to nurse ratio because of the union. If you are at all interested in infants, I suggest you go there. They don't yell at you. It's not so bad changing their diapers. Working at night works well for our family. The kids get off of the bus at 4:00 p.m. and we do homework and get dinner. My husband puts them to bed and gets them to the bus in the morning. I sleep during the day and get them off of the bus.

Crystal

Crystal,
Is it hard to get into working with babies? Here is my thing. I am doing prerequis right now for either dental hygiene or an RN. I would probably only want to work at the birth center in assisting doctors with birth of babies/watch the babies in the nursery after in the NICU. Is it hard to find a job like that? If I would get out of school would it be pretty hard to find a job working like that? I don't want to work in ICU or Emergency room ( I don't think I can handble the stress of dying patiens all the time).
Thanks for your input.
Katie

Katie,

If you are looking for a job right now without the license you can be a PCA. You would be there for assisting the nurses and doing clerical work. We have a PCA at night in our nursery that helps bathe, feed and diaper the babies. She also helps put admission packages together (paperwork) and cleans supplies, etc. If you can get a job like that, you can see what goes on first hand. I am sure there are jobs where everyone hates each other and others quite the opposite. I have found in my experience at the three hospitals I have worked, night shift seems to be more laid back and the nurses tend to help one another. Day shift is very busy. Doctors doing rounds, families visiting, tests being run. It is harder for those nurses to help each other and have a good attitude throughout the shift. If you accept a PCA job with adults, be assured you will be bathing adult patients and doing diaper changes on them. If you know ahead of time you may not like that, don't even go there.
I do have a friend that is a scrub tech. She works in the birthing center. She sets up the delivery rooms, assists the doctors with deliveries by giving them the supplies they need and cleans the patient afterward. She also sets up the operating room for c-sections and assists with the surgeries by supplying what the doctor needs. She went to scrub tech school. I don't have a clue what her salary is though. Being a scrub tech, you could probably get a job working 7a to 3p Mon-Fri.

Once you get a nursing degree you can pretty much say what you want to do and get it. You don't have to do med/surg for a year before you specialize. Some instructors will tell you that, others will say don't waste your time. I went straight to NICU. It would be best to start at a Medical Center to get good training before you move out to the community hospital. I went into level II NICU first. I regret not learning level III. I left the Med. Ctr. and wish I were proficient at level III

Crystal, Thank you for all the info. I will research and look into this. I have two little kids so I would not want to work nights though. Is it hard to get a job in a hospital from like 9-3 part time? In the future when they go to school I would be able to drop them off at school and then pick them up after. That would be my dream to just work while they are in school.

I would be almost 40 if I go back to school. Very scary to me. I would love a 9-3 job..who wouldn't? Is it true that you have to do a rotation throughout the hospital or does it differ form place to place? I ran into an old class mate (who is a nurse...but have lost contact now) a while back and she said she had become a nurse and that she was on maternity rotation. I really didn't get into it with her about it as I wasn't semi serious of going into nursing but I assumed when she said that it was because she was doing little stints throughout the hospital? Is this just to gain experience or to find out what you are best suited for?

Hi,

I am just about done with my pre-reqs for the BSN but I am very nervous about nursing school. Everyone talks about how you need a 4.0 GPA to get in. IS this true?

It depends on what your nursing school requires. Check with them first.

Katie in Vancouver, Washington said: Crystal,
Is it hard to get into working with babies? Here is my thing. I am doing prerequis right now for either dental hygiene or an RN. I would probably only want to work at the birth center in assisting doctors with birth of babies/watch the babies in the nursery after in the NICU. Is it hard to find a job like that? If I would get out of school would it be pretty hard to find a job working like that? I don't want to work in ICU or Emergency room ( I don't think I can handble the stress of dying patiens all the time).
Thanks for your input.
Katie

KATIE.
I THINK DYING PATIENTS ARE EVERYWHERE. BABIES DIES TOO. AND THIS IS EVEN MORE TRAGIC

I live in a large city so it was not hard to get a job in the NICU without doing other areas first. If you don't want to see many dying patients, choose level II or well babies. I am now working at a community hospital where we have to attend deliveries when they feel there might be a problem with the delivery.

I have always know I have wanted to be nurse, since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I work for a large group in Dallas. (THR). They have a program that is especially designed for their employees. They have a ADN program that 2yrs and a BSN 15 month fast track if you already have a BS degree. Everyting is FREE as long as you commit two years of service. It not bad since you can choose from 13 different hospitals.

I am too a NICU nurse and love my job. I was not interested in big 300 lb people. I like the fact that I can often hold and comfort my patient when they are crying as well as repositioning a patient with one hand. NICU rocks, but it's not all fun and games. You have to face death and deal with sometimes overbearing parents. I work in a level III NICU, so I see a lot.

I would also recommend getting a job as a PCT or secretary in the NICU to kinda have a "in".

Good luck..

I, too, have always wanted to get my RN but growing up in a single parent household, I never thought college would be possible, and back then didn't value education. I immediately started marriage and children and now have just the children. I work full time in a business that only rewards me with some flexibility, to be a single mother, but not to be a nursing student. I tried to get on at JPS because that was the only hospital I could find anything on that would send me to nursing school and still allow me time to study and full benefits that are required to attend nursing school. I am almost complete with my pre-reqs and I am SO determined to do this, I am almost going to just apply and worry about the details when I get in, but that is not practical with two kids depending on me. I'm trying to attend Brookhaven through Mountain View and currently enrolled for their pre-req classes. Any other suggestions, hospitals, contact names, anything to help me reach my goal? Please?

Kay in Fort Worth, Texas said: I have always know I have wanted to be nurse, since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I work for a large group in Dallas. (THR). They have a program that is especially designed for their employees. They have a ADN program that 2yrs and a BSN 15 month fast track if you already have a BS degree. Everyting is FREE as long as you commit two years of service. It not bad since you can choose from 13 different hospitals.

I am too a NICU nurse and love my job. I was not interested in big 300 lb people. I like the fact that I can often hold and comfort my patient when they are crying as well as repositioning a patient with one hand. NICU rocks, but it's not all fun and games. You have to face death and deal with sometimes overbearing parents. I work in a level III NICU, so I see a lot.

I would also recommend getting a job as a PCT or secretary in the NICU to kinda have a "in".

Good luck..

Maria in Houston, Texas said: Hi,

I am just about done with my pre-reqs for the BSN but I am very nervous about nursing school. Everyone talks about how you need a 4.0 GPA to get in. IS this true?

It depends on the nursing program you wish to enter. Some community colleges are stricter than others due to the long list of applicants.
~Shirl

Kim said: I, too, have always wanted to get my RN but growing up in a single parent household, I never thought college would be possible, and back then didn't value education. I immediately started marriage and children and now have just the children. I work full time in a business that only rewards me with some flexibility, to be a single mother, but not to be a nursing student. I tried to get on at JPS because that was the only hospital I could find anything on that would send me to nursing school and still allow me time to study and full benefits that are required to attend nursing school. I am almost complete with my pre-reqs and I am SO determined to do this, I am almost going to just apply and worry about the details when I get in, but that is not practical with two kids depending on me. I'm trying to attend Brookhaven through Mountain View and currently enrolled for their pre-req classes. Any other suggestions, hospitals, contact names, anything to help me reach my goal? Please?

Hey! Go Mountain View!! My old neck of the woods....couldn't resist, it's been awhile since I was last there! ;)

pharmtech313 in Los Angeles, California said: I am a 29 yr old mother/wife of 2 kids (11 yrs, 6 yrs) and have recently started taking pre-req's at community college for their RN ADN program. I was interested in Nursing, but I have read blogs online & threads about how horrible Nursing is. I just want to know if this is true for a majority of the RN's out there. I've read about how RN's get no respect from pt's (which I knew already), pt's families, physicians, fellow nurses backstabbing each other all the time, cattiness, etc... the list goes on and on. I already suffer from anxiety disorder on a daily basis (I'm the type where you can't see it, but I am a wreck inside at times) and don't want to get in a field where even though the pay is good, it won't be enough to compensate for the stress I will go through. I am currently a Pharm Tech, but hated my last job doing prior authorizations, getting yelled at by MD's, sometimes nurses, and of course patients because our healthcare system is a wreck and poor patients are getting ripped off daily, so I decided to go back to school. Also the $$ for PT isn't too high. I guess I am just looking for help in making a decision, I'm not getting any younger and don't have time to waste if I hate Nursing. My other interest is becoming a Registered Dietician, but will take me longer since I need to obtain a BS.

Do some of you feel that you wished you went into another field besides Nursing, and if so, have you started school again for a career change? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I am a recent Rn (two years) and I also went back to school later in life as a career change. I was a Chemistry / Physics teacher , grades 9-12, and regret my decision to become a male nurse on a daily basis.

James in Oceanside, California said: I am a recent Rn (two years) and I also went back to school later in life as a career change. I was a Chemistry / Physics teacher , grades 9-12, and regret my decision to become a male nurse on a daily basis.

James
Why do you regret it?

I am considering becoming a nurse.....would prefer working with babies....I went to school to be a teacher in the 90s, but ended up getting an awesome job offer as a flight attendant and Air Transportation Supervisor (Trainer) with a new airline. Did that for a few years...then 9/11 happened, and it was over. I am currently a independant Hair stylist in my own salon...but business is slowing down due to people watching their money closer these days. What advice would you give someone considering an RN, what do you wish you knew before you became a nurse, and what should I do to know if this is the right career choice for me. HELP! I really want to know all the pros and cons....so spill!
Thank you so much!!
Stephanie

Foxybrown in West Hills, California said: James
Why do you regret it?

I am considering nursing....please tell me what you do not like about it. I went to school to be a ELED teacher, but went into many other careers instead....spill on why you regret it...and what do you wish you knew before getting into it. HELP! I am 32 nd dont want to waste time in school for something that may not be the right fit.

I am a Biology Teacher in Florida. I am now applying to nursing school. I am very unhappy with all the extra stuff we are required to do b/c of NCLB. So much time is taken away to do testing or test prep. I don't feel like I am teaching, but going through the motions. I want to be in a profession where I am free to practice what I was taught, not what they mandate. GO to nursing school you will have so many other options like, FNP, etc... P.S. teachers salary is not enough!!

I'm a nursing student. and like you...programmed and 'told' by powers greater than us, this is what we need to do. but....school? just trying to get through school....I'm usually a Straight A student....now barely hanging on to my C grade. My freinds have dissappeared. My husband only understands "so much"...and though the cash will be in place for the degree....that's not why I do this. I'm in a program designed to 'weed' out about 75% of the student body. I audited a semester ago....only 20 from my class of 89 remain. Well....guess you need to want it to the point, you sacrifice your life. I'm still working toward it. They will have to drag me out....but it's worth the punishment, I think. I've got my options lined up. All roads lead to the golden ring. :)

I'm starting Nursing School this coming Feb 09' and would just like to know if RN's can ever earn a six-figure salary? Also, for anyone out there who knows, What would be a better career, Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner/Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist. Thanks.

pcastro in Los Angeles, California said: I'm starting Nursing School this coming Feb 09' and would just like to know if RN's can ever earn a six-figure salary? Also, for anyone out there who knows, What would be a better career, Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner/Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist. Thanks.

Six Figure Salaries are possible but not probable. As with most people and occupations, discussing salaries is taboo, so it's difficult to say who makes what.
I live and work in CT as an RN. As one of the highest paying states in the country for RN's, I have made close to $100,000 per year, but it requires working long shifts, extra hours, off shifts and driving longer distances, not to mention working for a nursing agency with no benefits what so ever.
I have seen NP positions offered as low as $64,000 per year. Small community hospitals offer approx. $24.00 per hour. RN's who teach are paid about the same, this is the reason for limited admissions in nursing schools. Most RN's with advanced degrees aren't willing to teach for such low wages.
But again, it's difficult to say what you could make. It depends on the facility (nursing homes traditionally pay more than hospitals), depends on your position (management pays more than a staff position)and depends on your experience.
P.S. Nurse Anesthesiologists can most certainly surpass the $100,000 mark here, but it requires advanced schooling. It's a very tough program and most don't make it.
Hope this helps and good luck in school.

"I live and work in CT as an RN"

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the reply. It really helps me and I'm not money hungry or anything, just curious. I had a couple more questions...

1. After nursing school, do we always have to start in Med Surge?
2. I am doing a 2 Year Associates Degree program and would like to know if anyone out there did the same and worked on their B.S. or an accelerated B.S/Masters (3 years) program while working? How was it? Did the school or hospital work with your schedule?
3. After we get our R.N. License with an Associates Degree, how long will it take to get our B.S. (keep in mind that all the pre-reqs for that UC/State Uni. are completed)?
4. Are there other careers for Nursing that don't require patient care?
Thanks everyone.

Dear PCastro,
Please forgive me if I implied that you were anything but curious. It's is perfectly OK to question wage scales particularly in this occupation because RN positions and the responsibilities vary greatly, probably more so than any occupation I can think of.
I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. If any one else has a different experience,please feel free to join in.

1. After nursing school, do we always have to start in Med Surge?
We write it as (med/surg)for medical/surgical. :) And no, you don't always have to start in this area. I have seen new graduates go right into Intensive Care Units, Emergency Rooms, Home Health Care, just about any area. Whether or not you'll be excepted into these areas as a new grad depends on the facility or hospital you apply to. Teaching Hospitals tend to be very accepting of new grads and will train you in these highly specialized areas much more so than non-teaching hospitals.
My own personal belief is that all new grads should start their careers working on a med/surg floor in a teaching hospital. I'm sure many would disagree with me, because everyone's experience is different, but I developed a very strong foundation for my skills, including assessments and critical thinking in a hospital on a medical floor. I now work in long term care and the foundational nursing and assessment skills I learned has served me well all these year. As an RN, I, almost always, have to supervise and I am the one person who is called to a unit to assess a patient with a change in condition and I have to try to determine what is occurring and what my intervention must be. There are no doctors walking down the hallways of a nursing home at 3 am to grab on to, so if I wake a doc up at 3am, I better be able to completely and thoroughly explain what is happening to his patient.
So yes, I do highly recommend a stint in med/surg.

Sorry PCastro, The computer cut me off.
To question 2, Alot of nurses with diplomas or associate degrees go on to get their BSN's while working. I know many that do the online courses so it doesn't interfere with their work hours. It's demanding but doable. Most employers will encourage you to continue your education and offer tuition reimbursement, so when you're ready, go for it.
To question 3, The time it takes to get a BSN after an associates is too variable, it depends on whether it's an online or distance learning program (those are pretty much geared to your own pace) or a more structured classroom setting where the length of the program is contingent upon the school's schedule. There are alot of different opportunities for continuing education, so it's difficult to pinpoint a time frame.
To question 4, Yes there are careers in Nursing that do not involve patient care ie: pharmaceutical sales, research, most management positions, case management, insurance companies, to name a few.
I hope this information helps. Feel free to ask anything, anytime. We're all here to help.
Terri

You have such great info. do you happen to know of the best colleges that cater to working moms getting their LPN-RN?

Hi Stephanie,
Are you looking for a college you can attend classes at or an online/distance learning program?
I have a few friends that are LPN's and they are currently taking online courses. I'm not sure of the programs/schools they are using but I can find out some details for you and post them tomorrow. (If I can reach them, they're quite busy), but I'll certainly try. I'll try to get the details. I do know that they take their courses in modules and it's pretty much at their own pace. All the learning material is supplied to them, they do have access to an instructor by phone or email if needed, and once they feel comfortable/accomplished with the module, they are scheduled to take the test for that module. The tests are scheduled local to them. Each test is about $250 to 300. and if they fail it, they have to retake the test at cost again. Once they pass, they move on to the next module. After all the modules are completed and passed, they are then scheduled for a 3 day clinical and they're done. Well, not really. They still have to take the NCLEX. But in theory, their studies are done. They all have young children and work 60+ hours a week, but they seem to be managing OK. It's tiring, but their determination keeps them going and the RN's are their cheerleaders. We know the drill so we try to help as much as we can. But, I will get more details for you.
By the way, I never did like the distinctions between LPN's and RN's much. Some of the best nurses I know are LPN's. Be proud of your initials, it's a great accomplishment.
Terri

Hello everyone, I got my BSN I am an RN for over two years. I hurt my back and I need to find a less stressful job, any good ideas. Thanks Cori

Nurses look good on their nursing scrubs and a number of wanna-be-nurses have this in mind. They forget the weight of the responsibilities set on the nurses' shoulders. If this is what you think about being a nurse, just get yourself a nursing scrub at www.pulseuniform.com. What I'm trying to say here is, if it's really your dream of becoming a nurse, take whatever necessary to reach it. Nurses are the second best people in the world next to our parents. The roadblocks are but normal. You may have fought hard with prior jobs and quit, because, maybe your heart wasn't there at all. And it's this profession you really want.

I am presently trying to get into an RN program at a local community college. Is there anyone who had to reaply the next year because they were rejected the first time they applied. I have all of my pre-reks complete, but I am so scare of having to wait another year. And, if you have all pre-reks complete and not chosen, hwat are you suppose to do for another year?

Sharon in Pikeville, Tennessee said: I am presently trying to get into an RN program at a local community college. Is there anyone who had to reaply the next year because they were rejected the first time they applied. I have all of my pre-reks complete, but I am so scare of having to wait another year. And, if you have all pre-reks complete and not chosen, hwat are you suppose to do for another year?

If you have completed all of your pre-rex for your ADN, and do not get selected this time around....I would urge you to start working on your pre-rex for your BSN. That's what I plan to do if I do not get selected when I apply anyway. Good luck!

also, once i get my RN...and i will come hell or high water....i plan to immediately start working on my BSN. i have made a pledge to myself that when i get settled in with my BSN, no matter what work i am doing, i will eventually make time to help teach nursing school, regardless of the income. just a way to give back to my community and help out with the nursing shortages. hopefully the long, hard road won't change my mind....

travia in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: I am a Biology Teacher in Florida. I am now applying to nursing school. I am very unhappy with all the extra stuff we are required to do b/c of NCLB. So much time is taken away to do testing or test prep. I don't feel like I am teaching, but going through the motions. I want to be in a profession where I am free to practice what I was taught, not what they mandate. GO to nursing school you will have so many other options like, FNP, etc... P.S. teachers salary is not enough!!

You are sadly mistaken if you think in nursing you can be free to do what you want. More than 75% of what we do is what we are mandated to do...ie. certain forms, charting, hourly rounding, following protocols, chart checks, medications at direct times. It is very rare that we have that special time to just sit and talk with patient's. That might be something you want to look into before you think you can just do what you want. It's a very stressful hard job but very rewarding when you see your patient's do better and move on.

I'm in nursing school and really struggling with the physical demand. Clinicals, tests, classes, care plans..Its so much so fast and I think I'm slowly losing my mind. I haven't decided if this profession is right for me because I don't think I'll last. This will be my second degree, but now I'm thinking of pursuing something else...

I'm interested in becoming a registered dietician, but I have heard that many hospitals give the duties of a dietician to nurses in an attempt to save money. Is this true? If so, how does this work? Is there an area in nusing where you can specialize in nutrition?

I am currently a RDH,BS and looking to go back to get RN ADN. I do enjoy dental hygiene but I only enjoy working with kids. I need a job with benefits. I currently have two part-time with no benefits. None of the past full-time jobs I've had as a RDH have ever offered any benefits! I am looking at going to Brookhaven for nursing and later wanting to get my BSN. Has anybody worked in a children hospital before? Just wondering since that is what I am interested in.

pcastro in Los Angeles, California said: I'm starting Nursing School this coming Feb 09' and would just like to know if RN's can ever earn a six-figure salary? Also, for anyone out there who knows, What would be a better career, Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner/Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist. Thanks.

Hello. I'm taking my prerequisites to get into nursing school but currently work as phlebotomist. I'm in LA too! I was told by a PA that the hottest and most demand area in nursing is Nurse Anesthesiologist. You are right on track. She said they make over six figures. I told her that I didn't want to go to school all the way to get my Masters Degree but she said sometimes you can get the training on the job. Also, with regards to nursing salaries, we are blessed being very well paid in LA. I know of a few nurses who have ADN degrees and make six figures! YES it is possible..at least in Los Angeles! It is tough though because you are working more than the standard 3 shifts. Try UCLA..I have heard they make a fortune! good luck.

I am also a former teacher who is looking to potentially become an RN. I've also been looking at becoming a Med Tech or Physician's Assistant.

I am wondering how bad the shortage of healthcare workers, specifically in nursing, is. I already got sucked into one career with a false claim that there was a shortage, and I don't want to waste my time studying for a career if getting a job will be incredibly difficult.

Also, is it true that once I am an RN, I can basically go into any field? My interests are in pediatrics/neonatal/maternity and I would consider a couple of other areas, but there are definitely a few areas, such as ER, that I absolutely do not want to go into. As clinicals, fine, but for my permanent job, no.

I've been reading about a lot of the pros and cons on this board, so I've gathered that nursing is a lot like teaching in the aspects that you get little respect, you're not paid what you're worth, and that its easy to burn out. I will admit that this is part of what drove me away from teaching - so I ask you, is all of the crap you take worth it in the end?

Also, I am taking a CNA course right now and I'm finding that it is very physical work. I have a condition where the cartilage in my knee is getting soft, and I get a lot of random pain flare ups, but its never enough to make my knees give out or anything serious like that.

Thank you in advance for your responses.