Careers 101 - Nursing
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Career Paths 101 - Nursing
Let's look at what it takes to be a nurse. The nursing profession is one of the more personally and professionally demanding jobs there is. Nursing involves several years of schooling. Frequently about four. There are many professional avenues a nurse can take, and many work in several during the span of their careers.
This is an overview of what you can look forward to, what will be asked of you, and what you can anticipate if you choose nursing as your career path.
Nursing involves Science
You'll need to take a fair bit of science classes. They don't call it a "Bachelor of Science" degree for nothing! Chemistry and biology will be on your course list.
Consider: are you good with science? While nursing isn't pure science, it's an
applied area, and if you're not good with dealing with scientific
areas, nursing probably isn't for you.
Working with all kinds of people
Do you genuinely like working in close contact with people?
Let's face it, being a nurse means dealing with a lot of people. Hospital nursing stations can be a tight fit, the patients can be two in a room, with not much space between. Then there's the visitors. Doctor's office spaces can be even more crowded. Are you good at working with people?
Hospice nurses tend to work one on one in patient's homes, but most nurses work in a medical facility. If you are someone who prefers to work alone, you might want to reconsider.
It's a pressure-cooker in there, people!!
Are you "quick"? Can you "think on your feet"? Can you work in the midst of chaos?
By this, I don't mean intelligence, though that's needed. I mean, are you a quick learner? Being a nurse means being able to assess a situation and deal with it easily, and calmly.
Nurses who work in emergency rooms and surgery rooms have to have this skill in abundance. Working around doctors who demand split second reaction and follow through, when patient's lives hang in the balance, all require someone who can stay calm under pressure.
It's a juggling act!
How are you with organization? How are you with focus and shifting from one task to another and back again? Can you deal with simultaneous multiple demands? In other words, nursing requires shuffling demands on one's time from colleagues (other nurses, physicians, other caregivers), patients, as well as supervising others, and often dealing with stressed out family members.
You can liken it to a three-ring circus. It's could be a life or death matter if you loose focus and drop a ball.
How would I know if nursing is for me?
Some people would recommend starting out being a Certified Nurses Aid first to see if you like nursing. That may not be a bad idea (I did it) to get the feel of the environment, understanding the relationships between the doctors and other nurses, getting a feel for working with patients. However, being a CNA is not being a nurse. A nurse deals with a whole different set of responsibilities, priorities and problems. I would especially encourage finding a nurse (local hospitals might help with this) who would let you shadow for a day, seeing how a nurse organizes a time schedule, deals with problems, and works through day-to-day practice issues.
It's a learning experience
A good nursing school program will teach you all the skills you need to learn. They will walk you through everything you'll need to know about being a nurse, what they deal with on an ongoing basis.
How to be the best nurse EVER!!!
If you're serious about finding out if nursing is for you (or know someone who is looking into it) contact a local hospital and see if they have programs where you can "shadow" a nurse for a period of time. I would recommend at least a week. Every day is different, every hour is different. Maybe shadow nurses in different areas of care. Geriatric patients care is completely different in scope from Medical/Surgical. OB/Gyn is different from Oncology.
Getting a feel for different areas will help you to understand where you'll fit best, should you decide to follow this path. Getting a feel for how nurses organize their time, deal with problems and the general day-to-day issues they face.
I love my job! Sometimes...
Nurses HAVE to have good boundaries. There is a limited amount of emotion you can invest in patient care and still have any for your family, friends, yourself. Nurses can burnout fast if they aren't careful.
So I would add, nursing isn't so much about caring, or compassion. Yes you do care. Yes the patients matter. But nursing is a job. It's a critical job. If you work in Oncology, you will loose patients. It's hard, it's sad, but it's reality. So when you consider nursing as a career, you have to understand that it is a job. When you don't take care of yourself, don't eat right, don't sleep well, your job suffers. It's not the same as selling shoes. If you sell shoes and you stay out partying all night, the loafers and sling-back sandals don't die. If you do it as a nurse, that is a whole different story.
There are days in every job when you don't want to go to work. A solid work ethic is critical as a nurse. You have to be there (of course not if you're sick) and hit the ground running. Literally some days. It's OK to not want to be there, but you have to perform like you DO.
Caring is being a top-notch professional, ready to function, to juggle, to manage, to focus. Competent, Able. This is what being a good nurse is all about.
Thank you Hawkes! It's not a 'glam' profession for the most part. It's sick people, worried, nervous relatives and demanding doctors. It's an "on your feet all day" kind of a job and it's one of the most 'in demand' professions there is. I hope this will encourage more people to give nursing another look! Thank you for visiting.. I adore you, my dear friend!
Funny for someone who has no REAL experience you seem to think you have a lot of authority on this subject. Your little jaunt to nursing school 20+years ago doesn't count. Try writing about something you know about.
aRealNurse, Thank you for leaving a comment, and if you'd like to be more specific in what you disagree with, that would be great to hear! Thank you again, hope you come back in to share your thoughts.
Candie...I think that you gave an outside look at the profession that was a logical starting point. As a "real nurse"...now retired RN...I can not imagine what is rustling ARealNurse's feathers. Your hub is good!
Peggy, It is great to see you here! Thank you!! All I wanted was to give a 'starting point' and they can take it from there! This is a fantastic job, and I wanted to honor those nurses that do it with their whole heart! Thank you!!
Hi Candie! I think you did a great job, too--don't you pay no 'tention to those who naysay!!! ~~hugs~~
Hi Candie,
I must be looking in the wrong place? Can't find your email message...at least it is not yet showing up. Will check again tomorrow. You might try resending?
"aRealNurse" says: "mostly a vitriolic harangue"
LOL, oh somebody did get out of the bed on the wrong side didn't they . Hmmmm
Didn't have enough fibre deary.?
Maybe if you did not hide behind your 'arealnurse' name and gave specific critisism , people may (just may) take some notice of your comment.
Candie did actually state up front what her experience was. For all we know you could be the janitor at Hubpages.
Thank you Candie V for "I wanna be a nurse when I grow up"
My 16 year old granddaughter need to see this! She is looking in to nursing at her moment, so I will ring her now and send her to your great hub!
This is a great hub. I was in nursing school and had 2 semesters to go before graduating with a 4.0 GPA. I wanted to be a nurse to take care of people. I felt like it would be a rewarding job, as it is. However, many people do not realize the high physical demand in this field. Most hospitals are short staffed and the nurse is overworked. Anyway, excellent write!
TamCor - Thank you, you made me smile! I'm grateful you stopped by!
AU! - I would love it if your granddaughter caught the "nursing bug"!! We need more good ones! Thank you!!
Agvulpes - LOLOL!! Maybe they are one of the bad nurses? They are out there! Appreciate your stopping by!
Peggy - You haven't? Well, you read my mind anyway! Thank you again for sharing your nursing point of view!
UK - I left school with 4 weeks to graduation. If it were all about just the patient care - I would have stayed. My "experience" or lack there of was due to family crisis and my fainting over blood.. Not the technical/patient care aspects. I know what I'm talking about in the hub, the nursing profession is hard, and it is a field who needs more good, well balanced nurses. I know a few who have NO personal or professional boundaries. Happily, they are the minority, and patients benefit so much more from the care the good ones give. Thank you for your voice!
Thank you all, you made my day!
Well Hi Candie did I hear a little whistle today.?
Hmmm you do have some nice comments on this Hub.
Oh, Hi Jeany how are you going. So you say you are a real nurse. Why have you not got the guts to prove it ?
Hey Bunyip! I did whistle! I do have some nice comments in here, from people who know I know what I'm talking about. Jeanne (for all you who see her anonymous comment - is my ex's wife) You, once again, have shown your true colors. Thank you Bunyip! (hugs)
Great hub, Candie - can't think how I missed it! I think nursing is one of the noblest of professions - you've given us a very realistic picture of the profession there.
Now where did that bunyip spring from? Haven't seen him around for ages!! :D
Shalini! Thank you Thank you! Bunyip mysteriously appeared! I'm thrilled he did too!!
As for your comment, I thank you! I was wanting to highlight what a truly great profession, and truly great professionals nurses are! They do what many of us can't, certainly I can't, and I truly appreciate your voice on this hub, too.
Hi Shalini. The bunyip is likely to spring up when you least expect him. ;-)
Bunyip! Does this look like a dating/dining hub? You out trolling for babes and found Shalini??!! Well, fine, you my hang out here and see if you get a bite. Can I make you a sandwich for now?
Yes, Candie, I'm glad he did - he sure is great to have on your side :)
Well, actually, I found him :D
Shalini.. I think you all are great to have on my side! Bunyip is just plain wild about you tho! I am running an Aussie to India dating service!!! Sheesh! I'm going to start charging a small "match up" fee! Now if Hairy shows up.. we'll have a party!
Well G'day ladies. How are all youse goin ?
I've bin takin some of them elekewshion lessons so me language is gettin bedder.
Now that bunyip is becoming a real pain in the butt.
I had my eye on Candie and Shalini so watch out Bunyip or I'll give up your secret. ;-)
Shalini, Peggy, Ali, Tammy, UK!! Girls we've got us a Party!!
Hairy! I'm thrilled you showed up! It's been a long long time! Your English is getting much better, I'm thrilled those lessons have helped! Bunyip is no pain in the arse.. he's m'buddy! Oh, and congrats on the medal! You are rockin'!!
Candie some one mentioned a 'sandwich' can I be the filling ?
I'm only joking about the Bunyip he's me best mate, he and I go back a long way together. You might say we have each other's backs. ;-)
Hairy! You can be the filling! Will you stick to the roof of my mouth like peanut butter does? If the girls check back in, you and Bunyip can be the filling together! We girls loves our sandwiches!
Shhh Candie not too loud !!! you know what Ag is like, if he hears there is a party on he will be in there, like a rat up a drain pipe. LOL
Hairy! Mind your manners! Ag is never to be likened to a rat, or anything up or down a drain pipe! He's probably not far away, eavesdropping.. like Santa Clause.. knowing when YOU'RE bad or good! Me? I'm always good! Always! Good! And, should Ag surprise us and show up.. I'm ready for him!! (P) ready!
ooog Ag, too? That's going to be more'n a party - it's sure to be a blast!! :D
Get a hold of Feline Prophet and the whole gang.. we're gonna party like the old days!! *Hugs* Shalini! I appreciate you so much!
Hey I smell a party Whoooo Hoooooo let the good times begin??
Oh yeah Candie is always good. mmm mmm.
Now where did that (P) go *searching searching*
Okk Shalini , Candie let's blast off.;D
Countdown : 10-
(P)!! I'm counting! 9-8-7-..
((((hugs)))) Candie!
Ag - there you are! all Candie had to do was mention your name LOL!
It's magic Shalini! I sprinkled some of your flower essenses all over the party food and it's bringing in the best of the best!
-6-5-4-
3-2-
1=====BLAST OFFFFFF !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (P)
HAHAHAHA!!! Love it! Thank you! (P) ***Hugs!!!****
Oooops, I missed the blast-off! :D
Is that a magic carpet that's taking off?
Hey Candie hit the Pause button we gotta go back for Shalini.
Magic Carpet hmmmm now there is a thought.
What mischief could we all get up to on a Magic Carpet ?
Shalini! Just in time! I was loading the margarita mix, and you made it!! Whew! It well could be a magic carpet!
Ag! We made it! Mischief? We can get into all sorts of mischief on this ride! Looking forward to finding out how much!
Margaritas.........great! Keep one chilled for me! And if it has already melted because of that super-heated BLASTOFF...well...know that I was there in spirit.
There's always room for you at our margarita/flying carpet fest! I thank you for all your support and friendship.. means so much to me!
I think it was a great job. Helping other people is the best job.Nursing is the best part of it.
prasetio30! Welcome! That was my favorite part of it as well! I had some amazing moments and some great memories (too bad the fainting over blood got in the way) But for the right person - this is a fantastic job! Thank you for your comments!
Margaritas and magic carpets...mischief must surely follow - how exciting!
Where you and Ag are, there's sure to be a lot of mischief! I'm thrilled to get to join in your adventures!
Me????? *looks innocent* :D
Now Ag is entirely another matter :P
Thanks for creating this fun zone in your hub Candie :)
Too bad Ag's asleep.. crazy Aussies! It's like they're in a different time zone!
You can look innocent.. but the truth is another matter altogether! *raises eyebrows* :D
Candie V. Hi. What an absolutely wonderful account of what training is required to become a nurse, its a lot of dam hard work. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. After reading all the comments I can see something got up someone's nose, but you seem to have come out on top, good for you. :) :)
Thank you OM! That last bit made me laugh! It did "get up someone's nose!!" But they haven't been back to rebut, oh well. Nursing is a lot of hard work. It's not a glamorous job, but it's a vital job and I'm thrilled when people tell stories of nurses who have truly made a difference! Many hugs!!
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Hawkesdream Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Candie, you have put the whole nursing career into a new perspective. I think that so many people have a romantic view of nursing, and here you give a matter of fact, this is the way it is, allowing people to really think about their choice of career.