nursing - Healthcare Professionals Message Board

Aleii · 09-03-2003, 09:16 PM

Hi,

Am planning to go back to school to get RN licensure. Was wondering if anyone here works as a nurse and would like to share some of their experience either in school or in the field. Not sure myself of which aspect of nursing fits me best, but I'm hopeful that I'll find out soon enough =)

Thanks and look forward to reading your replies!

Sarah68 · 09-04-2003, 11:08 AM

Hey, I used to work as a renal RN for quite a number of years and found this extremely rewarding. It was slightly more technical, as I used to dialyse and there was more autonomy of practice too.

It could be very pressurised and quite stressful at times though. I could never have coped with the ER though, far too busy for my liking, however, renal was just halfway and gave me just what I wanted. Not as bad as the ER, but not quite as technical as ITU, but then just enough with the dialysis so that I did not stagnate either.

Good luck

rayjj · 09-07-2003, 11:00 AM

Hi there,

I am a male nurse and worked all areas of nursing before going into anesthesia. Try different areas and see what really turns you on. I liked med-surg. and psych. but I couldn't make enough money in nursing so went on into nurse anesthesia and have been doing that for the past 35 years and really like it. I have worked in many kinds of anesthesia settings, by myself, with docs, and with other nurse anesthetists, and now am in a sort of semi-retirement setting where I don't have to take "call" or work any evenings, weekends, or holidays. A lot of anesthetists that I know have left hospital employment and free-lance or do just locums work and they make a lot of money at it. It's a good way to go if you don't mind traveling and variety. It has it's advantages and disadvantages just like any other aspect of nursing tho. Since you are just starting out, try different things and talk to people and do a lot of research before you settle on one. It all depends on what you want. Good luck to you and take care.

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R.J.

kempfgirl · 10-14-2003, 06:08 PM

I am proud of your decision on going to nursing school. I am in my last year...whew...and have one small piece of advice. It will be in your best interest to work in the field as you are in school-given you have the opportunity and your lifestyle permits it. So many of my peers are going to school full time and are completely lost at clinicals. I work in the ER and have come across many-many situations where I was thanking my lucky stars for having that experience. They have something called the NURSE EXTERN PROGRAM where in your last yr of nursing school you actually take on the role of a nurse-under the supervision of a clinical nurse. I love it-and I know you will too. Good luck!

mfree1 · 10-15-2003, 08:46 PM

I'm a nurse too. It's great. Right now I work in Tuberculosis Control for a Health Department. I love being a nurse and there are so many opportunities.

I sometimes miss the hospital. I really LIKED the ER, but it's not for everyone.

Later this year I'll finish my coursework to become a nurse practitioner. It's the perfect job for me and I'm really enjoying my clinical training.

Nursing is a huge field; there are endless options and a lot of exceptionally well-paying jobs. As you can see just from the replies, we're all nurses but our jobs vary tremendously.

I hated a lot of nursing school, but it gets better as the years go on. My course work is pretty good now. In fact, I'm even thinking of getting a PhD in nursing! (I never thought I'd say that).

I have to go to bed! I have to see patients early tomorrow morning.