should i still pursue a career in nursing? and i don't mean a nursing aid, i mean like an emergency room nurse, nurse practitioner, or a nurse anesthetist.
125024
Nurse anesthetist would not be a good choice for someone who isn't into chemistry.  Plenty of nurses get through nursing school with a little hard work to get through the classes that trouble them.  There's always tutoring for the more difficult courses.  Nurses are currently being paid quite well.  Have you considered a careet in public health and epidemiology.  Math and biology strengths would do well in that particular field and that is truly where the greatest impact is made.
110422
As a nurse - you should be making good money. Maybe you need to re-evaluate how you spend money instead of making more. Learn to budget.
527270
Hi\n\n1. You can start as a nursing assistant . Usually you can get your certificate while working/training in a nursing home. Nursing assistants do not handle medcations and the work load is heavy. Lots of lifting, and direct patient care. You change urinals, diapers and feed patients.\n\n2. Next step up would be a licensed practical nurse. This level usually requires a year of study at a vocational school or community college. At the end of your studies, you will be required to pass a state nursing exam to receive your license.\nYou still do a lot of the same as the nursing assistant, but you have more paper work and you can pass some meds. It does pay more than the nursing assistant.\n\n3. The registered nurse or "R.N." usually takes  two years of general studies and nursing classes. You are also expected to pass your board exams at the end of your studies.It pays much better than the Licensed nurse, but you also have more responsibility. There is a lot more paperwork and responsibilty, but you may also pass most meds. An RN also oversees the practical and assistant nurses.\n\n\n4. The "BSN" Bachelor's degree in nursing is a completion of  years of studies and nursing practicum. Usually, a registered nurse will bridge into this program. This level usually falls within the managerial level. The BSN usually oversees all nurses and coordinates patient care.\n\n5. Masters degree in nursing requires even more training, but gives the postion of being a nurse practioner. In this position, the nurse is much like a doctor, but may not perescribe medications without the authorization of the overseeing physician.\n\nIf you can take five years of nursing classes, you might as well go on to be a doctor.\n\nI started out as a nursing assistant, then moved in to a Practical nursing program. Also you may consider working as a phlebotomist or technician while pursuing your nursing degree. This will give you an inside real world view of the nursing field. Most hospitals will happily put you through school or offer scholarships towards medical training provided you work for them once you have graduated.\n\nDo understand that no matter which level you pursue, you will get your hands dirty (changing bed pans, cleaning bottoms and cleaning up every kind of human fluid God ever created). Everyone starts at the bottom. Your income will increase with experience. Remember that any medical position is needed and once you become a nurse you can pretty much have a job anywhere you go.\n\nGood luck.
248251
Recently a niche has opened in the medical industry for nurses with legal training and lawyers with nursing training. It's a unique combination and should be investigated. There is also a need for nurses with administrative training. I would recommend checking into both to further professional development.
475278
Think about what draws you to nursing--are you going to be the first nurse in your family? Do you like to care for people and see the reward? Do you like to know that you can help the world?\n\nMy advice:\n\nI. Why nursing is interesting to me\nII. My past--did you play doctor? Were you interested in the doctors when your sister broke her wrist? \nIII. The present--why you should go to that school to study nursing. Have you done research? \nIV. The future--what sort of nursing do you want to do? NICU? ICU? What? Explain why you want to go into that specific nursing? Do you want to use your nursing experience and take it to help others in poorer countries?\nV. Reiterate why you love to care for people and why you want to make this your career.
268292
Im an LPN and my passion has always been working with the older folks, I just love them, I also like mental health. It all depends on what you like to do, dont work somewhere only because of the pay, decide what you want to do and see what is open in that field. There are lots of jobs out there that you wouldnt even consider needing nurses, things like factories, schools, camps etc etc.
622486
I have been an Aide for the past three and a half years. Personally, I enjoy caring for people. Being caring is a gift from the heart. I have enjoyed my job for the most part. The nursing home I worked at had a fun working environment, and that made my work even more appealing.\nHowever, my fiance and I had to relocate to another city, and sadly, I left my job. I'm now working at another nursing home in a new city and unfortunately their level of care overall is a bit below my expectations. Whereas I'm used to a lower ratio of aide to patient, this one has a higher ratio and that means less personal one on one care, it seems a bit disorganised, half the time, supplies are missing, the laundry does not supply much needed linen on time and and sadly its sanitory standard are below par (in my opinion). \nI've found myself re-evaluating my profession. If I can't participate in my profession, giving the best care I can, in a good, clean, sanitory environment, I would rather not participate at all. I love caring for people but I also hate seeing people suffer knowing I cannot do anything to better their pain.\nSo, I guess in the course of my aide career, I have realised that there are good nursing homes willing to make sure their patients are taken care of, and there are those that want to make money but spend less on amenities needed to care for their patients. \n\nI still believe aides are of great value to the nursing profession. Hats off to all Aides!! \n\nFor support, chatting etc., got to http://www.NursingAssistantCentral.com
231065
I chose nursing.  I am still going to school for it, but honestly, I cant think of a more rewarding Job in the world.  School to become an RN with a BSN is very difficult, and although there is a shortage in nurses it is very competitive to get into nusing schools.  I chose this field, because I love people.  Not only that, but I want to make a difference in peoples lives.  So, you might say, why not be a teacher, or some other public figure.  Well, because I really beleive that the one thing that you can offere people that is more than money, more than a house to live in, more than clothing on their back, is health, and God.  My dream since as long as I can remember, was to go to other countries, or even our own country, and help the less fortunate.  I feel that it is my calling in life.  I want to offer my knowldge to people who it can really really help.  People in africa who are fighting to stay alive dont care about history, or math even.  They care about staying alive and improving their quality of life as much as they can.  When I finish school, I want to form a group with some of the churches in my area, and start a missionary/health care team who will travel to other countries and within our own, and take care of people with a christian attitude.  Whether they have money or not.... no matter what their circumstances.  Insurance is a joke when you look at the world and the innocent people dying of diseases.  I want to form an education team to travel through Africa and teach the risk of HIV and AIDS.  I know that getting this money is probably going to be the hardest thing... but I have faith in God.  I know this is what I am supposed to do, and I am going to do it.  Pray for me :-)
222239
Helpful Tips on Starting a Nursing Career\n\nGraduates completing their nursing program can look forward to entering a profession that is in great demand.  Across the country, there are over 20,000 openings for staff nurses to work in hospitals, clinics, home care, private practice, schools, military service, occupational settings, and health and wellness centers.\n\nEntry-level nursing positions start in the range of $35,000 to $50,000 with additional compensation for overtime, night and weekend work.  Given the nationwide nursing shortage, employers often “sweeten the pie” by providing sign-on bonuses of $3,000 to $6,000 along with up to $5,000 in reimbursed relocation expenses. In addition to competitive salaries, employers typically offer benefits packages that include health insurance, vacation and holiday pay, college tuition reimbursement, childcare allowance, flexible scheduling, and pension plans.\n\nThe nursing profession offers many challenges and significant rewards to those who enter the field devoted to the calling of relieving human suffering and dedicated to advancing their career.  Although it is not difficult finding a job as a new graduate, it does take careful planning to carve out a career as a distinguished Registered Nurse.  Here are some practical pointers to accomplish that goal:\n\nProvide quality patient care.  This is what your training has prepared you for as a personal caregiver and valuable member of a medical team.  Be diligent in establishing a reputation for providing quality patient care and supporting your health organization’s mission.  Along with demonstrating core competencies, develop the “people skills” required for you to work comfortably with all types of patients, physicians and other medical staff. \nStay on the cutting edge of medical knowledge.  To maintain state licensure and remain in good standing with your employer, you will need to accumulate a number of Continuing Nurse Education credits (CNE’s) each year.  In addition to acquiring CNE’s through formal classroom instruction, why not take advantage of the numerous online opportunities for CNE training?  (As one example, check out what’s offered on Nursingcenter.com:  www.nursingcenter.com/ce/index.cfm). \n\nTo stay abreast of medical advancements, trends and social issues that impact the nursing field, take time to regularly read professional publications like Nursing 2001, RN Journal, NurseWeek, RN Magazine, and Journal of the National Black Nurses Association.  Some have online versions that you can easily access at your leisure and convenience.\n\nBecome more “culturally competent.”  Nurses, like physicians and other health practitioners, are challenged to provide care to patient populations that are becoming increasingly culturally diverse.  One way to achieve this goal is to take advantage of any in-service training related to heightening cultural sensitivity, working with language translators, and so on.  More ambitious RN’s might also consider learning “medical Spanish” in order to better relate to the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States—persons of Hispanic/Latino background.  (One example of a medical Spanish program is found at www.idrama.com/MedSpan.htm). \n\nNetwork with other medical professionals. Topping the list would be other RN’s who have distinguished themselves in their field.  Networking contacts can also include nurse educators, career strategists, and nurse entrepreneurs (such as Nurse Legal Consultants), who can all provide valuable perspectives on career advancement issues.  Another important avenue for networking is to become involved in one or more professional associations, such as the American Nurses Association and the National Black Nurses Association.  The contacts, information sharing, and career resources these associations offer are invaluable for RN’s who are serious about career advancement. \nMake yourself more marketable.  Like other professi
139835
Get out while you can. Nursing is a horrible, horrible way to spend your life. Sure, you'll ALWAYS have a job (because there will ALWAYS be a shortage of nurses in this horrible job), but if you want and need to be in healthcare, physical therapy is the way to go. Or pharmacist would be even better. Trust me, the LESS patient/family interaction you have, the BETTER. Especially if you don't have to touch them.\n\nListen...nursing is the most well-respected occupation out there, according to many, many poles. But what they don't tell you is that as soon as the people who "respect" you come to the hospital, they EXPECT you to drop everything (and everyone else) to meet their own selfish needs. This is inherent in anyone who is sick. That would be fine, BUT the BIG problem is, EVERY HOSPITAL YOU WORK FOR IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY. And you WON'T get enough help. (Including physical therapists, by the way...but they only have to worry about ONE patient at a time, and they usually have another therapist or a PT aide to help them.) PT's also make more money than nurses and they have the ability to open their own clinics, should you want to do that. Pharmacists can work in hospitals or private businesses and still make a lot of money, and not have irate patients and family member screaming at them when someone is bleeding or puking, or taking a dump on the floor when you're trying to walk them, or peeing on your foot, or punching you, spitting at you, grabbing you by the neck when they fall, hitting you over the head with a suction canister when they are crazy, spitting blood at you when they are drunk and bleeding to death, calling you every name in the book, and THEN, THEN...you have to call the doctor and you get MORE ABUSE when you upset their precious, precious hours.\n\nYeah, nursing bought me a house and a couple of cars. But I'm a very tired 52 years old, subjected to other people's blood, spit, and abuse, wondering if I'm going to bring some disease home to my family, and trying to save my body from the heavy lifting of disgustingly fat patients who expect you to do everything for them. And remember the family members...you think THEY care about staffing levels?\n\nAnd do you think hospital administrators care about staffing levels or your personal safety?\n\nPrint this out and stick it up on the board of those nursing schools.  You have a duty to protect some future lives. \n\nLike I tried to do for you.
504895
RN's (registered nurses) can do nearly anything they want to do other than an actual surgery. It is a very fullfilling job, yet the pay scale needs to be re-adjusted. RN's don't get paid like many other college educated professions out there. Here is  link to some of the things RN's can do http://www.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoyXCjqx_At1B9FortNUJcHsy6IX?qid=20061109113501AAzDvyK \nSome of this doesn't seem too glamorous, but RN's can choose where they work which, in turn, somewhat dictates what they will have to see and/or do. I've been an RN for years and haven't done much of what's on that list because of where I've chosen to work.
628166
I am a recent nurse graduate.  I attended a associate degree program in nyc.  Now I am entitled to take the NCLEX, which is the exam which you need to pass in able to become a Registered Nurse or you can say "RN" which is just an abbreviation or nurse.  The more technical term is Registered Nurse.  The hospital volunteer guy is wrong.  \n \n So, that's a registered nurse, you have to have a degree, either 2 year, which is associates, 4 year, bachelors which is the best minimum education a nurse should have, and extra 2 to however many for a nurse practitioner.  An associates degree is still acceptable and I am able to take the same test as a bachelor graduate, but more  education is better.  Some facilities don't take associates degree, just some though.\n  \n As a nurse practitioner, you will have a specialty, many of them to choose from such as family NP, pediatric NP, Psych NP, etc.  You are able to prescribe meds, just as the others have said.  NP's usually work with an MD.  Some states allow NP's to work independently, meaning you can have your own Nurse practitioner clinic, like a doctor's clinic.  NP's are still RN's so they do bedside care as well.  NP's usually have a higher salary.  Other types of higher educ. RN's are midwives and nurse anesthetists.    \n  \n There are soooooooo many Nursing types.  Some of them still surprises me, like forensic nursing.  Nurses do paperwork and patient care.  If you want you can just do paper work and be a manager or you can just be with patients all the time.\n   Consider Nursing, hope I helped you.  If you want anymore info, just ask.   oh yeah you do clinicals in the hospitals , etc  ...like residency, and DON'T do online programs, u still have to go to clinicals anyway and it won't be as beneficial as the classroom experience and online programs for this major are probably still not approved by your state nursing board and also employers will question ur education.
145184
Has this really been a good year for NHS? I used to work for them, too many manager positions, not enough employees, today's Evening Standard newspaper wrote that 10 000 student nurses will not have nursing jobs after they graduate. What is this.. 40% of senior nurses would resign if they could. Me too, I'd love to do something else.
245242
If you want to become a nurse, then it will be for life.  You need to go thru the appropriate courses to become the best you can be.  Check your local hospitals for nursing schools.
674437
I'm not sure what your question is but I imagine you are asking opinions about what route to go.  In my opinion I would probably follow your nursing degree route for your bachelor's degree, but don't forget to take some tough biochemistry & biology courses.  A nurse practitioner typically works in an office setting and sees patients in a general setting.  I don't know of any who work in oncology, but women's health & a very few in pediatrics are there.  A physician's assistant is open to many many more options in my opinion.  I was originally going to be a PA until I decided to continue on to medical school.  As a PA you can work in almost any type of medical field and If I remember correctly you will make more money and tend to have more autonomy.  Ultimately, however, it's up to you and the field you want to pursue.  Finally, I believe the responsibilities and hospital privledges will steadily increase for PA's (including pay), but I'm not so sure about that same trend for NP's (it is possible).  Good luck
138084
I'm a nurse at UCI medical center. \nNurse = RN\n\nAt times, I am forced to say I'm an R.N. because nursing assistants, medical assistants, etc. tend to say they are a nurse. No disrespect to them.\n\nThis profession wants a change to where the term "nurse" should be said with pride. I have answered questions to what I do and a follow up question is, "Are you a full-blown RN?" My argument is that a nurse is an R.N.\n\nSo, the answer to your question is a nurse is an R.N., but you may want to ask if they are a CNA (certified nursing assistant), LVN or LPN (licensed vocational nurse or licensed practical nurse), or an R.N. (registered nurse).\n\nWe, nurses, want that term back, so that we can say it again with pride. We went to a lot of schooling for this and it upsets me when I hear a non-R.N. say they are a nurse.
106986
Of course you can't be a good nurse unless you get pleasure out of helping people. That would be a true answer.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with saying that you want to be a nurse because it pays well (does it?). In fact, an employer would prefer that you like the money and other financial benefits. That way the employer knows you will not readily kiss off the job if the going gets rough--'cause you need the money.\n\n\n(If you follow Melanie's advice, just make sure you spell "affecting" and "it's" correctly.)