Thinking of becoming a RN

[Alisha514]

So Ive been doing a lot of thinking lately. I'm really thinking of becoming a RN. I have a BS in biology and currently work at a non clinical research lab. The only thing that really sucks with a biology degree is there is not many places to work. I don't have many choices for lab work unless I want to move which I don't. I actually live about an hr away from home now and would love to move back as that is were my horses are and feel bad that my parents are having to take care of them. Plus all my family is there and I just want to go back. Ive lived here for about 7 months and just can't stand it. Plus were I work is getting hard to deal with (management wise) As I look at help wanted ads I see almost every hospital needing RNs. I would have so many options as an RN. I love the medical field and science in general. I perfer animals over people but you usually dont make much as a vet tech and usually don't get benifits. I would love to work in the OR or ER but know I would have to work my way up the ladder to that. What I want to know is those that may be RNs here on the forum, could you please give me pros and cons of the job? My toughtest thing to get used to is the human puck and poop. I would have to spend about 2 yrs of schooling to become a RN and since I already have a ton of loans from my BS degree I dont want to go through all that and find out I really dont like it. So help me out, is it worth the time and money to become a RN?

Thank you,

Alisha

 

[LindaL]

My wife is an OR nurse and has been for 20 yrs. While I can't tell you the pros and cons, since I am not on the "inside"...I can tell you some things that may help.

First, I would suggest finding out from a hospital if you can "shadow" an RN for a day...meaning you basically follow them around all day watching what they do and what type of atmosphere she works in. I would do this in several areas...floor, OR, ER, etc. They all are different and then of course you have the floor specialties...L & D, Oncology, Pediatric, Cardiac, etc. Find out what interests you specifically.

Second, I would not bother going for an MSN in Nursing, just a BSN. They really don't care if you have that "extra" schooling. You can earn almost as much with a BS and do the exact same job.

Lastly, once you are an RN, you have so many options on where to work and choose your days and hours..if you know how to work the resourses out there. There are what they call "Traveling Nurses", where you can work as a "temp" thru an agency, go ANYWHERE in the US to work for 3-4 months (on THEIR dime) and see the country that way. If you wanna stay put, of course apply at all the local area hospitals and they will always work with you if they have more than one position open and may even have what they call a "resource" nursing postion open where you work the hours you want...you tell them when you are available and they fill you in.

The economy did affect the industry some, but not as much as other fields....Hospitals ALWAYS need nurses. It's the "suits" that sometimes say "No, we arent hiring" ...til they realize just how shorthanded they are, then they open up the hiring pool again.

Good luck!

 

[bcody]

Only you can decide if it is worth the time and money. If you could do what Linda suggested and shadow in different areas, that would be good. There is a lot of flexibility with what and where you can work. If you get bored, you can move to a different area. There is pretty good job security and usually a chance for OT, or to go part time. Depending on where you work, youmay need to be on call, which can be a pain, you may have to rotate shifts.

Being a nurse is not glamerous, like they show on TV. The doctors can be nice, but they can also be not so nice. The patients and their families can be the same way. Hospitals are always trying to cut the budget, and you will never be able to spend the amount of time you may want with each person. You will see things that will break your heart. You will see many things that make you smile. Sometimes they balance out, sometimes not.

If you can not deal with body fluids of all types, it may not be the best job.

I worked in the OR. I loved the OR. Before I moved to Texas, I was on the cardiac team at a hospital in Boston. I loved it. There was a lot of call, a lot of OT. I think have not worked since we moved 6 years ago. Ecery now and then I think about going back, but don't think I ever will.

 

[LindaL]

I should also add....if you think you may like the OR, then I would suggest instead of becoming an RN to become a Surgical Tech...aka Scrub. Most RNs do not scrub, they do not train thrm to scrub these days like they used to because they now train people to specifically scrub. Some of the nurses that have been in the field a long time do still scrub if needed (My wife knows how), but most do not. Scrubs are the ones that are actually involved in the surgery (handing tools to the Docs, etc). Most OR RNs do "circulating", which is making sure things are going well, making sure the Docs have everything they need, doing charting ,etc. Normally they are in the room, but not involved in the surgery itself.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

You might also look into being a tech of some kind. Scrub tech, surgical tech, unit tech, maybe a Health Unit Coordinator, or one of the many people who work in a lab and don't really have to deal with people, just samples. There's lots of opportunities out there in the health care industry! And healthcare is always hiring.

If you prefer to avoid the people side of things, you'd be better off to find one of the many medical jobs that doesn't involve a lot of patient contact. Patients are scared, hurting, angry, and otherwise having a difficult time and they deserve someone who truly cares about them and wants to make their lives better. Try reading "Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul" and see what it can be like, both good and bad.

The good news about being a nurse is there is a lot of flexibility in the type of work you do, your hours, and your location. The benefits are great, you can move just about anywhere and still find work, and the pay is good compared to a lot of jobs. The down side is you can be on call a lot, it's a very tough job, and you're going to see a lot of the grosser side of life. It takes a compassionate, competent, loving person to make an excellent bedside nurse. Can you do that? Do you want to? I know I could not deal with the bodily fluids but love customer service so I took a hospital job that involved a lot of dealing with people and medical terminology but no actual medical responsibilities. I love it! And even though I'm not a nurse, I'm surrounded by them and know what great and caring people they are. A nurse is always a welcome neighbor, family member, or friend.

Leia

 

[Pepipony]

My sister is one. Pro , you make good wages, if it wasnt for her being an RN, she would have lost her house when her husband suddenly passed. Cons, at 50 , she can no longer ski, or kayak or other rough sports because of neck injuries from lifting people way to large for her stature. She has work related arthritis and other problems as well. It has aged her beyond her years. It is a thankless job, people think of you as little more than their maids.

 

[Alisha514]

Thanks every one for your input. You have given me a lot to think about. I am currently looking for a receptionist job at a hospital or docters office to get the feel of working in the medical field. The school I would be going to has a waiting list and I wouldnt be able to get in till the fall of 2010 so I figure that gives me time to really decide.

Alisha

 

[sedeh]

I've been an RN for 29 years, most of it has been in the ER but I've also worked OB, Pediatrics and ICU. I think there are way more pros than cons! I've always enjoyed the people I work with! We have such an awesome group in our ER it's amazing......more like a big family; I've worked in the same ER now for 17 years. In the ER you never know what your day is going to be like and what you're going to see. It can be stressfull, exciting, frustrating, and sometimes(not often) boring! Most ER doctors are "team" members and accept input from the nurses which is gratifying. The best part of being an RN is there are so many areas you can work in. The best part of being a nurse is you can move anywhere you want and find a job! It also pays well.

My husband lost his job when the mill closed down. Because he was a displaced timber worker there were Federal funds available for education. After looking at all his options he decided to go into nursing! I never thought he's like it because he's not a real touchy-feely kind of guy. Now we work in the same ER and he loves it! Hope this helps in your decision and Good Luck!!

 

[Sun Runner Stables]

I am in school now for my RN, and work part time at a DR's office.

I am so excited to be doing what I do, and going into the field of medical care.

I plan on getting my NP when it's all said and done, so am getting my BSN, then night schooling it to my NP (masters, like a PA, but with more RX ability and freedom.)

There are days that I want to kick the drug seeking patients that are lying and just trouble.

There are day that the countless worried elderly start to wear me down. I still cry when a patient I have known dies.

However, these are the few and far between. You learn to laugh at the druggies, help the elderly, and make peace for those who have passed.

I think it's about the hardest but best job around. You have the chance to make a real difference in people's lives. ( I will never forget the nurses that took such excellent care of me when I was in the hospital.) There is also the stress that you could really mess up and hurt or even kill someone, so pressure is there as well.

You will see every body fluid you can imagin, and expect to get covered in it. You will have to help wash/handle people who are filthy, and smell.

People you do not know from Adam will walk up and be happy to show you the weird spot on their privates, or be happy to share their fresh fecal sample. (Voice of experience here.)

If you are easily embarassed, or have a low tolerance for gross things, it's not the best choice.

However, if you enjoy helping people, and bodily functions don't trouble you, it's a fantastic job!

 

[wcr]

Linda had some very good points. I have been in medicine for 30 odd years and feel it is the best thing I have done for myself. I started out as an animal health tech, and while I loved it, realized it was a low paying job with no chance for advancement. I liked medicine and decided to become a nurse not thinking about the "dealing with people" part of it. Surprisingly it is the dealing with people part I like the most. Yes, you will see bodily functions and secretions but it just becomes routine.

I met Sandy(sedeh) when I first moved to Oregon and worked in the ER. I was the reason she got into minis and she may thank me or cuss me on any given day.

I have been single most of my adult life and have been able to able to pursue my passions because I have had the financial resources that nursing allows me. It is a very good paying job, you can go anywhere and find a job, and the jobs available within nursing are endless. Like all jobs, some places are better to work than others, but I think on a whole, staff members really become an extended family.

Nursing can be stressful and the work is hard at times but not overwhelming. I have a saying that they don't pay me enough to have a bad day. I have thought of asking for a raise on some days but cruise through most of my shifts. I am a very experienced nurse and am respected as such by the doctors, fellow nurses and the patients. It is amazing how often the patients perceive me to be without doing anything; it is just my attitude and approach that gives them that impression.

The best thing about nursing is that after you put in your time and learn the ropes, you can totally be in control of your career. It pays well(I make $50 an hour), you can work part time if you want, on call, get overtime when you need extra money, travel. The pros have well outweighed the cons in my experience.

 

[Leeana]

My brothers wife went to Fireland in Sandusky link @ http://www.firelands.com/ and got her RN and she got hired at Firelands Hospital just after getting her RN.

I am currently a nursing assistant for Elmwood and after two years of work they will pay for me to get my RN if i agree to work in their nursing home division for three years (which..salary is the same as most hospitals pay their RN's) and then can later go on to something else if i choose too.

I think nursing is a very "safe" path to take esp. today ....

 

[CharlesFamily]

Hello,

I'm not a nurse, but have spent A LOT of time in the hospital with my youngest daughter, and my aunt and best friend are both nurses. I think it is one of the most important careers you could choose. In my opinion, a good nurse cannot possibly make enough money - they are invaluable. We have been blessed in that the good nurses far outweighed any of the "bad apples" we have encountered.

And that job cannot be easy, especially in a children's hospital which is where we have spent most of our time. You have to deal with the sick child AND the scared, worried, anxious parents. But most of the nurses we had did so with such grace and compassion. You never forget those special nurses.

Good luck to you whichever road you choose!

Barbara

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

I have been a nurse since 1974. I have worked on Medical Surgical floors,Intensive care units, Neonatal intensive care units, well baby nursery, and recovery room.

There are many pros and cons.

Pros... pretty much a steady income and there are many jobs available. You can also change the area that you work in but still stay a nurse. You can work different shifts, night shift is especially available, which is great if you have kids. It cuts down on baby sitting $ if you have a husband that is willing to care for the kids at night. It can be very satifying when you know you made a differnece in someone's outcome.

Cons... there are a lot more of these, so you really have to WANT to be a nurse.

People have little respect for nurses, more and more we are treated badly by patients and their families. I have been threatened and pinched,punched,bit, spit on, and cursed at.

You will work weekends and holidays...I work every other weekend and every other holiday. The holidays rotate too.. So much for horse shows, funny, it seems so many shows are on my weekend to work.... so much for seeing family on every holiday. If you are lucky, you will get every other holiday off. Do not expect to get every christmas off, or that people will switch with you so you can have off. If you need a weekend off(that you are schedulked to work, you will have to find someone to work for you, and pay them back by working another weekend for them)

I even have to find coverage for myself to go to funerals.

Rarely do I get breaks and frequently I do not get lunch and I work 12 hour shifts, so that is a long day without a break or food.

You can be exposed to needle sticks and be stuck with contaminated needles, and exposed to blood and other body substances. You will work with all sorts of isolation patients some with LICE, Hepatitis, AIDS,SCABIES, TB, MRSA etc. ( which of course means that you are at risk for these things also then.

Hospitals are getting less and less payments from insurance companies, government and state fundings and there are more and more charity patients... some that really need it, and some that know how to work the system and suck it dry... which is madden ing to see. All this trickles down to nurses and patients. The nurses suffer because some idiot bean counter in accounting says that the hospital needs to save money, so they are cutting down on nurses..... Less nurses equals less time spent with patients and the patients suffer.

Our society has become very legal oriented and also very money grubby. The commercials on TV encourage law suits.... so we nurses spend more time charting in our nurses notes( to protect ourselves) than we spend with our patients, isn't that sad.

More and more, people are going into nursing for the wrong reasons...job security( HA! that is actually not as true as it used to be), money... yes, I make a decent income for a woman, but I have paid a lot of dues, spent a lot on school, and over the years on continuing education and certifications etc). I spend more time with my co workers than I do with my family, especially on weekends and holidays.

It is physically hard on your body and eventually it takes a toll on you. Back and neck injuries frequently happen. You will be lifting people large and small, some that try to help and some that can not, or will be fighting you as you try to lift them.

90% of all nurses develop heel spurs and plantar fasciitis which is very painful. I have neck and heel problems. You prrety much are on your feet all day long, many times never sitting.

Some people think" Oh, I won't work a job with weekends or holidays, or wipe any butts, I will be a supervisor etc....." We nurses love those kind of new nurses.

Anyway, make sure that you really want to be a nurse for the right reasons, because you want to HELP. Society needs people that WANT to be nurses. Someday, I will be old and sick and want to be taken care of by a good nurse, that wants to be a nurse for all the right reasons, not like some of the brats that are in it today.

You need to be an ADVOCATE for people that have no voice. You need to be understanding ears for patients and families that do not understand what is going on. To speak up for these people, to push Drs. in the right direction to help people.

You need to be able to hold the hand of a dying person that is alone and has no one else to do it for them.

I hope that you find what you are looking for.

Robin... I am an R.N.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

You will work weekends and holidays... so much for horse shows... so much for seeing family on every holiday. If you are lucky, you will get every other holiday off. Do not expect to get every christmas off, or that people will switch with you so you can have off. If you need a weekend off(that you are schedulked to work, you will have to find someone to work for you, and pay them back by working another weekend for them)I even have to find coverage for myself to go to funerals.

Rarely do I get breaks and frequently I do not get lunch and I work 12 hour shifts, so that is a long day without a break or food.

It depends on what kind of hospital you work at, too. Mine is very good about breaks and lunches and employees work together to make sure everyone has the support they need to stay sane and healthy. I do get tired of working every holiday (I haven't had a Christmas off in the four years I've been here) but we have good coverage for funerals and jury duty and such. I do work an awful lot in the summer as I'm always trading days for my horse shows. If you're per diem though, you can simply say you aren't available certain days and avoid the issue entirely.

Some people think" Oh, I won't work a job with weekends or holidays, or wipe any butts, I will be a supervisor etc....." We nurses love those kind of new nurses.

Anyway, make sure that you really want to be a nurse. Society needs people that WANT to be nurses. Someday, I will be old and sick and want to be taken care of by a good nurse, that wants to be a nurse for all the right reasons, not like some of the brats that are in it today.You need to be an ADVOCATE for people that have no voice. You need to be understanding ears for patients and families that do not understand what is going on. To speak up for these people, to push Drs. in the right direction to help people.

You need to be able to hold the hand of a dying person that is alone and has no one else to do it for them.

I hope that you find what you are looking for.

Robin... I am an R.N.

Amen, Robin. I hope I'm lucky enough to be cared for by nurses like you!

Leia

 

[LindaL]

You will work weekends and holidays... so much for horse shows... so much for seeing family on every holiday. If you are lucky, you will get every other holiday off. Do not expect to get every christmas off, or that people will switch with you so you can have off. If you need a weekend off(that you are schedulked to work, you will have to find someone to work for you, and pay them back by working another weekend for them)I even have to find coverage for myself to go to funerals.

Rarely do I get breaks and frequently I do not get lunch and I work 12 hour shifts, so that is a long day without a break or food.

I agree with Leia on this one. My wife works at a teaching hospital and works three 12 hr shifts/week and she gets her breaks. She is also an OR nurse, so unless she is on call, she has weekends and holidays off (but I do understand of course that if you are in most other areas, you do not have that option since the hospital has to run 24/7).

 

[wcr]

Robin- many of the points you make are valid. Yes, we get exposed to things but on the other hand have an immune system that King Kong would have trouble getting through so are rarely sick. Unfortunately student nurses and new nurses will be sick a lot until theirs kicks in.

We need to be patient advocates and sometimes that means standing up to the doctors to make sure they get the care they need or make them pay attention to your concerns cuz your gut instinct says something's wrong. That is part of the job. But we also need to be our own advocates and by law have a right to our breaks and lunches. If you aren't taking them, then shame on you. I see this so often that nurses get burned out and develop a negative attitude and it makes them very unhappy. That's why I say they don't pay me enough to have a bad day.

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

Kathy and all... don't get me wrong... I love my job and I love what I do. I was just simply pointing out that it's no cake walk. As for my not taking breaks and lunches... I get no relief to do so. I attend every birth and C section,and new baby, and admit every baby as well as many other things I do that keep me hopping all day. No one comes in and says, ok go to break or go to lunch. The work keeps coming, the patients keep needing, and even if I did get relieved to go for lunch, no one would continue working while I was gone. Bosses if they do(rarely) come in to relieve you after you beg, just sit there and hold babies and let my work pile up. (and before anyone says that I am anti -boss.... I was the nurse manager of an 18 bed critical care unit for 9 of the 14 years that I worked ICU, and I never just walked around with a clip board in clicky pumps, afraid to get my hands dirty like so many. I wore my scrubs and got them real dirty like the other nurses.

Yes, nurse do seem to develop a good resistance to a lot of germs, butas you are aware, we are not resistant to the biggies, the ones that can kill you. People looking at becoming nurses need to know that we do not work in a sterile environment(far from it) and that we work with scarey germs every day, sometimes we know when we do, and sometimes we are unaware. Yes, we are trained in isolation procedures, and to dress properly with gowns , gloves and masks to avoid these germs.

Frequently no breaks and no lunch and dinner? Illegal? YES. Reality? YES. Is it fun to be hungry, tired and REALLY need to pee ? NO. But I still love my job. If I didn't, I wouldn't have been a R.N. since 1974. I was told what I would be getting into honestly, before I became a nurse, so I knew what I could expect. I am not disapointed at all.

A lot of newbies can't and won't do it, put up with these things.....but its a fact of nursing life. It happens. Newbies need to know that this is what it can be like.

Robin R.N.