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2006-08-22 11:39 AM

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Queen BTich
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Subject: Healthcare/Nurses

So I've decided to go to nursing school and I've done a ton of research but I'd like to know from the healthcare professionals and nurses out there what are some good areas to be in, such as the best patient care, what areas might be more fulfilling than others, shifts, etc.

Right now travel nursing, temp nursing, and being an ER nurse really interests me. I'd like to think I'd go back to school after a couple years of experience to get a specialty certification, such as a nurse anesthetist, but that is too far ahead to worry about right now.

Thanks for your imput, real life rewarding stories and warnings go a long way.



2006-08-22 11:46 AM
in reply to: #518667

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse.

BUt I won't bore you with my stories.

2006-08-22 12:03 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Veteran
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Tampa, FL
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
CONGRATS!!!! Best of luck in Nursing School!
Some of the more memorable bits of advice I can pass on are:

From my mother, a NICU nurse for 30+ years = newborns are the best because they can't sass you and the ones in NICU hardly ever cry.

From my sister, an up and coming ER Nurse = ER is the best because the scenery always changes and the problem patients go away (one way or another) after a few hours or so.

From my own Nursing students = long-term and home care are the worst! (their opinion)

2006-08-22 12:22 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Master
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Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

From the several nurses I got to know well early this year, I was told that NICU was the most rewarding and most heart wrenching at the same time. I was told by many that during the last year of school you will work in several areas of nursing for a few weeks at a time. 

Good luck Haley, I see Hospital Staff and Teachers as 2 careers that never get the recognition they deserve......or the pay.

2006-08-22 2:02 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Expert
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Houston, TX
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
My sister in law just graduated from nursing school and is going into geriatrics. I was considering nursing school for a while until I realized how many undergrad classes I would have to take because my degree is in agriculture so I dont have a lot of the required sciences. I think I would love the career though as I am sure you will. I have heard that nurse anesthetist is a really hard program to get into. But one place that I found useful when I was considering it was www.allnurses.com and they have great forums too. Their forums range from state, area of care, even nursing school classes to get help. Good luck in your journey, I know it will be fun!
2006-08-22 3:17 PM
in reply to: #518667

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The Original
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

I think it just depends on the person as to which area interests him/her the most.  It all depends on what you're most passionate about-  I am sure once you go through your roatations you'll figure out which you like the best and will figure outyour calling.

My one friend is a nurse in the open heart recovery unit and loves it!  Another friend of mine graduated from nursing school to work in a hospital and hated working shift.  She's much happier now working as a daytime nurse in a relative small specialist clinic for a ENT.  Another nurse I know works inthe neonatal unit and loves it, despite the fact that it's hard for her to see such little babies.  Good luck!

Edited:  It may not be a bad idea to volunteer at a local hospital or see if you can shadow nurses in specific areas to get some exposure and see the pros and cons to each- just an idea!



Edited by runnergirl29 2006-08-22 3:21 PM


2006-08-22 3:42 PM
in reply to: #518918

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Expert
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Kaneohe, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

runnergirl29 - 2006-08-22 11:17 AM It may not be a bad idea to volunteer at a local hospital or see if you can shadow nurses in specific areas to get some exposure and see the pros and cons to each- just an idea!

This is an excellent idea. I was looking into nursing as a career change when I was early in my police career. However, I started hanging around the ER and talking to the nurses and decided it wasn't for me. Namely because of the Nurse/Patient relationship and also because of the internal "dramas" among co-workers that comes along with working in the hospital environment. I'm just not cut out for that type of interaction. Heck, even as a cop I can come across as abrassive! I know me and I know I wouldn't enjoy nursing. Radiology leading into sonography, MIR, ect... on the other hand... I could do that.

My wife is a weekend/nights ER charge nurse and she loves it. Health sciences come naturally to her. She can rattle off latin names and processes like its her native language. She had previously obtained a BA in business and worked in that field for a few years and found it unfullfilling. So, she went back to school for her BS in nursing. I'll ask her what type of advice I should offer here and get back to you. I can tell you that nursing isn't for everyone. The pay and high demand for personel is certainly attractive but there is a reason these folks make good wages and there are lots of job openings. And that reason is because it ain't easy.

2006-08-22 4:17 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

I'll give the token positive vibes for geriatrics.  In nursing school, I disliked working in geriatrics.  After I graduated though, I went to work in the local nursing home and fell in love with it.  It was as if I suddenly had 26 more grandparents.  Each of these 26 people I took care of grew on me, and each had many wonderful stories to share.  As each day went by, I got closer to them.  Yes, that made it harder when I'd lose one, but knowing that a full life was lead and that they were ready was comforting.  Geriatrics isn't fast-paced like ER or hospital nursing.  You have pretty much the same people every day.  But I enjoyed it. 

Right now, I'm working on my RN (currently licensed LPN), and I am looking forward to working in other areas to see how I like them, but I'd go back to Geriatrics in a heart beat.  FWIW 

2006-08-22 4:20 PM
in reply to: #518949

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Shaved_Wookie - 2006-08-22 3:42 PM

runnergirl29 - 2006-08-22 11:17 AM It may not be a bad idea to volunteer at a local hospital or see if you can shadow nurses in specific areas to get some exposure and see the pros and cons to each- just an idea!

This is an excellent idea. I was looking into nursing as a career change when I was early in my police career. However, I started hanging around the ER and talking to the nurses and decided it wasn't for me. Namely because of the Nurse/Patient relationship and also because of the internal "dramas" among co-workers that comes along with working in the hospital environment. I'm just not cut out for that type of interaction. Heck, even as a cop I can come across as abrassive! I know me and I know I wouldn't enjoy nursing. Radiology leading into sonography, MIR, ect... on the other hand... I could do that.

My wife is a weekend/nights ER charge nurse and she loves it. Health sciences come naturally to her. She can rattle off latin names and processes like its her native language. She had previously obtained a BA in business and worked in that field for a few years and found it unfullfilling. So, she went back to school for her BS in nursing. I'll ask her what type of advice I should offer here and get back to you. I can tell you that nursing isn't for everyone. The pay and high demand for personel is certainly attractive but there is a reason these folks make good wages and there are lots of job openings. And that reason is because it ain't easy.

Good post.

I second (or is it third) the volunteer experience. 

I also agree that it makes a huge difference what kind of personality you have.  Long term care and home care are both tough fields.  Lots of paper (that's almost universal now) and sometimes less patient interaction then you would expect.  It also tends to be tough because these are the kinds of patients you often don't see getting better.  If you like developing longer term relationships and can handle it when people pass away on you or degrade over time then they might be a fit.

Pain control nurses are worth their weight in gold.  ER nurses get higher stress and more drama but the patient turnover does have its advantages.  It also depends what type of hospital you expect to work in.  ER at Cook County is a whole different animal then ER here at Lake Forest.

Surgical or Interventional nurses get to see new cases all the time and scrub in for procedure.  The patients are also usually sedated so the staff is a bit more talkative during cases.

Geeze the lists go on and on.  Nursing has so many areas of focus there is one for almost everybody.  D some shadowing and see what you like 8)

2006-08-22 4:22 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Thanks for all your imput and suggestions. I'm a sciences person myself and have always been interested in something in the healthcare field; now I'm going back to do it. One of the biggest things that attracted me to nursing is the variety of career paths to choose from. It seems like I can switch around if I'm unhappy in a certain area and still find a job.
2006-08-22 4:26 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Wife, Mother, Friend.
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

My SIL is an ARNP, worked on floors, ICU, and Burn Unit.  Right now she's a part time professor at USF, her dream job is to be full time tenured teaching nursing.   She just got her PhD.

My cousin was a nurse in the AF.  She worked post op.  She said it was great.   Her husband is a flight nurse in the AF.   I'm sure someone here, RGRBILL? can tell you about that one.   I don't know her husband well.

There are certain departements in our hospital where the nurses work "business hours" such as outpatient surgery/recovery, special procedures (endoscopy and such).   

Lots of jobs- either in direct patient care or administrative.  You just have to figure out where you like it best.

Best of luck!

 



2006-08-22 5:01 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

I've been a murse ~ yeah, a male RN...think of something funny and move along...nothing to see here folks...  for 18 years, met my wife in nursing school and we were married the year after grad in 1989.

I'm a charge nurse/infection control nurse in one of the largest long term care facilities in Ontario, having worked most of my career in LTC facilities. My wife has worked for the past 18 years on a general surgery floor, so together we have quite a bit of experience and advice. In addition, I belong to the Ontario Nurses' Association and I am president of our local nusing union, representing hundreds of RNs in long term care, community, and hospital sectors, so I hear it all and meet regularly with other local presidents across our province, representing over 50,000 RNs.

1. Go for your masters degree. In Canada, Ontario specifically, the RN(EC), or extended class, meaning Nurse Practitioner, will require minimum masters-prepared nurses in the very near future, and I expect this will be the norm elsewhere very soon, so do it now while you're still young and motivated - it's a ***** to find time to go back to school to upgrade later in life. Otherwise, the minimum you should be prepared to complete is your bachelor's degree. Think no less, otherwise you'll be back in school soon.

2. ICU and OR nursing are the places to be. Beyond looking at what interests you, (read that again, and again) look for low patient-to-nurse ratios. ICU, NICU, CCU, etc traditionally have nursing staff ratios of 1:1, not including interns/resident physicians present to assist in crisis. OR nurses have the best schedules, get paid for being on-call on a rotating basis and most stay in the OR their entire careers. Ask them why  

3. Once in training, opt for bypassing, or trading-off training in areas that you know you are not interested in  i.e. psych, OB/GYN and ask for additional time in training in general med/surg or other specialty.

Best of luck to you!!! PM me if you want, anytime. Nusing is the most rewarding career in the world, in addition to being the career that experiences the most burnout within the shortest period of time and experiences the most long-term injuries of any profession in North America, so it is not for everyone. This comes from  a dad of a 16 yr old daughter who wishes to persue nursing at university in 2 years        

 

 

 

2006-08-22 5:17 PM
in reply to: #518994

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

Comet - 2006-08-22 5:22 PM One of the biggest things that attracted me to nursing is the variety of career paths to choose from. It seems like I can switch around if I'm unhappy in a certain area and still find a job.

FYI, the average nurse chages careers (specialties, place of employment) an everage of every 5 years, and this number has been stable since the 80's.

Also, FYI, nursing students have the best (/worst) reputations for partying on campus, again, stats stable since the 80's and well beyond.

Enjoy yourself Comet, like I know you will 

2006-08-22 10:05 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Expert
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Wind Lake WI
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

Here is my take. Getting your RN license is a great way to open multiple doors in healthcare with the ability to change jobs at any point. I've been an RN for 15 years and have had 4 different positions with the same company (ICU->ER->Information services-> physician training). I have no regrets.

Being able to string shifts together allows for more training time.

2006-08-22 10:41 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Pro
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

I worked as an RN for 6 years in med/surg and now I have worked for 7 years as a family practice NP.  I love both settings.  I think being a nurse means finding what group of people you enjoy working with, and then doing your best to help that group.   And nursing itself is all about caring for others, so it is an individual choice! 

Being a nurse where you can work different shifts will certainly complement your tri training too!  I liked 2nd shift, but everyone is different. 

Good luck! 

2006-08-22 10:50 PM
in reply to: #518667

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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
"It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse.

BUt I won't bore you with my stories."


Hey, Jim. Sounds like something for the "Strange things about yourself" thread...



Edited by JoyfullySo 2006-08-22 10:53 PM


2006-08-23 6:39 AM
in reply to: #519218

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses

JoyfullySo - 2006-08-22 11:50 PM "It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse. BUt I won't bore you with my stories." Hey, Jim. Sounds like something for the "Strange things about yourself" thread...

Yeah, I thought about that. But I don't consider them strange things. Just things. Maybe that makes me strange?

2006-08-23 8:15 AM
in reply to: #519277

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Runner
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 7:39 AM

JoyfullySo - 2006-08-22 11:50 PM "It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse. BUt I won't bore you with my stories." Hey, Jim. Sounds like something for the "Strange things about yourself" thread...

Yeah, I thought about that. But I don't consider them strange things. Just things. Maybe that makes me strange?



That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you.

I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.
2006-08-23 8:16 AM
in reply to: #519337

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:15 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 7:39 AM

JoyfullySo - 2006-08-22 11:50 PM "It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse. BUt I won't bore you with my stories." Hey, Jim. Sounds like something for the "Strange things about yourself" thread...

Yeah, I thought about that. But I don't consider them strange things. Just things. Maybe that makes me strange?

That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you. I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.

Don't worry, I know who they are. I know, because I keep them in my closet.

2006-08-23 8:22 AM
in reply to: #519340

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Runner
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:16 AM

Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:15 AM

That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you. I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.

Don't worry, I know who they are. I know, because I keep them in my closet.



That would be one of the several other things......
Are you saying that all your friends are in the closet? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
2006-08-23 8:25 AM
in reply to: #518673

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
run4yrlif - 2006-08-22 11:46 AM

It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse.

BUt I won't bore you with my stories.

*ahem*



2006-08-23 8:26 AM
in reply to: #519345

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:22 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:16 AM
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:15 AM

That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you. I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.

Don't worry, I know who they are. I know, because I keep them in my closet.

That would be one of the several other things...... Are you saying that all your friends are in the closet? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

If they're in the closet, how would I know?

2006-08-23 8:36 AM
in reply to: #519351

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Runner
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:26 AM

Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:22 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:16 AM
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:15 AM

That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you. I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.

Don't worry, I know who they are. I know, because I keep them in my closet.

That would be one of the several other things...... Are you saying that all your friends are in the closet? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

If they're in the closet, how would I know?



Ummm.....you said that's where you keep them. So, it's only logical to assume that you would know if they are all in the closet or not......
2006-08-23 8:38 AM
in reply to: #519365

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:36 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:26 AM
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:22 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-23 9:16 AM
Scout7 - 2006-08-23 9:15 AM

That, and several other things. But that's......ok. Because you're smart enough, you're good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you. I don't know those people, but I'm sure there's some somewhere.

Don't worry, I know who they are. I know, because I keep them in my closet.

That would be one of the several other things...... Are you saying that all your friends are in the closet? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

If they're in the closet, how would I know?

Ummm.....you said that's where you keep them. So, it's only logical to assume that you would know if they are all in the closet or not......

Are we talking literally or figuratively? Because people can be in the closet but not in the closet, and vice versa.

2006-08-23 12:50 PM
in reply to: #519349

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Pro
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Orange Park Florida
Subject: RE: Healthcare/Nurses
Comet - 2006-08-23 9:25 AM
run4yrlif - 2006-08-22 11:46 AM

It's been my experience that most rewarding specialty, both professionaly and personally, is the naughty nurse.

BUt I won't bore you with my stories.

*ahem*

I think I have danced with this nurse.

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