NWR:To all of you nurses

Jayceestar27

I'm thinking of going to school for nursing but I wanted to ask someone working in this career path about how they like it. What are the pros and cons, what you love about it, etc. I'd love any advice and input.

penguintina

I am a nurse and I really like what I do. My advice would be to only go into nursing if you really think it is what you want to do because it can be really hard at times and there is nothing worse than a nurse who you can tell doesn't want to be one. It's kind of hard to really give specific information because there are so many different types of nursing (for example I am a peds nurse and have done home care and currently work in a hospital) so people working in different areas will probably have different advice/experiences. If you do go into nursing, just be aware that nursing school can totally blow at times so just be prepared for that!

For me, I love working with kids so it is great to be able to do that every day. I also like that I see something different every day so I am always learning. Probably the worst thing for me is dealing with abuse and deaths of children.

Hopefully some of my rambling is helpful... Feel free to ask me more if you want

P.S. In order to be a nurse anesthetist you have to be a nurse first...

Jayceestar27

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_nwrto-all-of-you-nurses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:0d8f284f-d777-4031-8aa8-8b180a4c4025Post:815fbdd5-3955-4b76-aa33-8910014ea394">Re: NWR:To all of you nurses</a>:
[QUOTE]I am a nurse and I really like what I do. My advice would be to only go into nursing if you really think it is what you want to do because it can be really hard at times and there is nothing worse than a nurse who you can tell doesn't want to be one. It's kind of hard to really give specific information because there are so many different types of nursing (for example I am a peds nurse and have done home care and currently work in a hospital) so people working in different areas will probably have different advice/experiences. If you do go into nursing, just be aware that nursing school can totally blow at times so just be prepared for that! For me, I love working with kids so it is great to be able to do that every day. I also like that I see something different every day so I am always learning. Probably the worst thing for me is dealing with abuse and deaths of children. Hopefully some of my rambling is helpful... Feel free to ask me more if you want :) P.S. In order to be a nurse anesthetist you have to be a nurse first...
Posted by penguintina[/QUOTE]


Thank you very much! Your post is very helpful. I have no idea type of nursing I'd go into right now. You actually mentions what I am most draw to. I really like that it isn't the same exact thing day after day.
What schooling did you take?

Sara G to be

I went to nursing school and failed my last semester so I didn't become one.. Instead I went the social work path A lot less money but I'm way happier. I just really enjoy talking with people and mental health.

tlc35

Someone correct me if I am wrong but in order to get into nurse anesthesia school I believe you have to work in an ER or ICU setting as an RN for several years, maybe 2? Just an FYI. I am not a nurse but I have worked with a lot. I know nurses that love it and nurses that hate it so if you haven't you should shadow in different situations. As pp said it is very different in the nicu vs general med/surg vs a nursing home vs outpatient. I'm rambling but I hope this helps somewhat.

thejucheidea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_nwrto-all-of-you-nurses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:0d8f284f-d777-4031-8aa8-8b180a4c4025Post:7d4c8eb3-d631-459f-8897-8aeb3d42a5ad">Re: NWR:To all of you nurses</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR:To all of you nurses : What schooling did you take?
Posted by Jayceestar27[/QUOTE]
I have an ASN and work as a cancer research nurse in an ambulatory clinic. I love my job, but I do recommend trying to work as a CNA or the like prior to making the decision to start nursing school. I was a CNA while doing pre-reqs between my East Asian studies degree work and starting actual nursing school and it's been SO helpful!

penguintina

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_nwrto-all-of-you-nurses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:0d8f284f-d777-4031-8aa8-8b180a4c4025Post:7d4c8eb3-d631-459f-8897-8aeb3d42a5ad">Re: NWR:To all of you nurses</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR:To all of you nurses : Thank you very much! Your post is very helpful. I have no idea type of nursing I'd go into right now. You actually mentions what I am most draw to. I really like that it isn't the same exact thing day after day. What schooling did you take?
Posted by Jayceestar27[/QUOTE]


I have a BSN but the school I went to also has an associate degree program. The other thing I would suggest is to consider going for a Bachelor's in nursing since it seems like a lot of hospitals (iat least where I am) are moving more toward wanting nurses with four year degrees (not to say nurses with associate degrees aren't being hired though). It's not something I would worry about too much if you want to get a two year degree, just something to consider.

Jayceestar27

Thank you for all the input! It is very helpful and has given me a lot to think about. I hadn't every thought of doing a job shadow but that would really help my understand what exactly is going on. Thanks for that suggestion also. I have thought about getting my CNA so I can do that while I continue schooling.