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Thread: Nursing?

  1. #1
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    Default Nursing?

    I've been in an arts degree for five silly years. My grades are very good, but I just don't want to pursue anything philosophy related anymore. For the last six months I've had this nagging feeling that I'd really like to go into nursing. I've surpressed the urge, since I do get kind of impulsive, but it's still there. I'm thinking more and more that I really need to do something meaningful and useful with my life...something physical, structured, challenging... The more I study ethics and pragmatic philosophy, the more I think "If I really believe in these principles, I should be out there doing something, not writing essays about it." I don't have the brains or focus for grad school.

    I worked at a vet hospital for three years, and a farm five years before that...I've seen lots of blood and awfulness. I know I have a strong stomach, and I don't shy away from hard work. I think I'm good with people...

    So I know there are some nurses on here, or former nurses. Any advice? I know it's a bit different in Canada...Still, all the people I've been talking to make it sound like a good idea. Our country really needs medical staff, and with the average age of a Canadian citizen at 55, I think it's only going to get more demanding. I know I'll have a job, and I've heard the unions here are tight. Any ideas for me? Anything I should know or take into consideration? Thanks everyone!

  2. #2
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Nursing?

    Good money, good job security. A lot of nurses in my circle and they're all happy. Go for it!

  3. #3
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Nursing?

    I'm at the Morgentaler symposium right now. I totally think you should ditch the idea of being a nurse and be an abortion providing doctor. Ottawa apparently has ridiculously long waiting lists for an urban centre. They need you.

    Seriously - great conference. Someone even trotted out Peter Singer. Not in person. Although we did have Henry Morgentaler. Poor speaker, but wonderful story.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Default Re: Nursing?

    Nursing is a pretty good career option. If i had any interpersonal skills, I'd do it. Important work, and you can travel commonwealth countries and do medecins sans frontieres and stuff like that. Pay is getting better, and will probably continue to. Schools are pretty easy to get into, and scholarships are readily available.

    If it interests you, seems like a no brainer. Ae you thinking LPN or RN? There's also a doctor-nurse classification, I can't remember what it's called, it is the one I was considering.

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    Default Re: Nursing?

    You would definately be doing something that would make a difference and yes, you would be useful. You said you worked on a farm and I guessing you have or do dance now. So, obviously you don't mind standing on your feet for long hours which will be required with nursing.

    I myself have always had an artistic streak in me which has broadened as I got older. Nursing didn't satisfy that part of me at all. But the medical sciences are still extremely interesting in my opinion. I didn't care for anatomy or microbiology, however. Somedays you'll feel extremely appreciated other days you'll wonder why half of the people you are caring for are even in the hospital. Some of them will bitch about everything (tv remote, telephone, ice cream is too cold, etc). Some people don't want to be better. You can't force someone to have the will to live. Some just want to lay in a bed and let you care for them.

    I had a patient that was around 500 pounds who had his stomach stapled but managed to undo the procedure by overeatting. He was around 40 and could have lived a decent life but instead lived in a nursing home because he couldn't do anything for himself. We had him on a clear liquid diet to help him lose weight and he wanted broth every 30 minutes. I've seen patients who would rather lay in the bed and shit on themselves them walk to the restroom or allow you to help them to the restroom. They don't want to try. Then you have doctors prescribing patients 18 different meds and you don't know if their symptoms are now side effects from the meds or actual symptoms of a disorder/disease.

    A lot of time is also spent documenting, everything has to be documented, it's called "cover your ass". If something happens to that patient and you didn't document, Susie was complaining of constipation, but turns out she really had a obstruction but their was no documentation of the constipation then you very well could be sued and lose your license.

    You also are dealing with blood, urine, feces. sputum, saliva, etc. You may not mind dealing with bodily fluids but when it comes possibly spreading a disease to yourself or someone else then you do worry more.

    Days it can be draining but it can be rewarding when your smile or caring voice lets that person know there is someone that cares. Or when someone recovers because of your steadfast efforts, communicating with the doctor, getting them the right meds, etc.

    Money can be great if you continue your education and go on the get your Bachelors and Masters degrees. There are a variety of areas you can specialize in such as intensive care, cardiatric care, labor and delivery, trauma, ER, pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics or the operating room. If you go on to become a nurse practioner you can see patients yourself and right scripts under a MD. Plus, you'll have job security.

    But I think your gut/instinct is there for a reason. Just do your research and make sure it's what you want.

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    Default Re: Nursing?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jenny View Post
    I'm at the Morgentaler symposium right now. I totally think you should ditch the idea of being a nurse and be an abortion providing doctor. Ottawa apparently has ridiculously long waiting lists for an urban centre. They need you.

    Seriously - great conference. Someone even trotted out Peter Singer. Not in person. Although we did have Henry Morgentaler. Poor speaker, but wonderful story.
    Seconded. You're smart and crazy enough for medical school. That would be a fine and noble cause.

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Nursing?

    It's only like one extra year in school - nursing in Ontario is a Bachelor's; I think it's two years if you already have a B.A. Med school is three (plus one year residency). Like at this point you might as well. ( )
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Default Re: Nursing?

    Thanks ladies...That's very encouraging. I...don't know if I have what it takes to be a doctor. It didn't really occur to me before...My brainpower is actually very stratified, so I don't know if I could handle med school. But now I'm thinking about it. Maybe. As a plus, I'm sure I could convince my crazy grandma to pay for that schooling! She saved up money for my education, since she has only two grandchildren, but then refused to pay for an Arts degree. hah!

    Jenny- I had no idea the abortion accessibility was that bad here. Argh. I remember some sad stuff from my women's studies courses...Really horrible stuff. That would make me feel virtuous and life-worthy, making a difference in that regard...

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    Default Re: Nursing?

    I would love to be a nurse, but all the attention that is being shone on burnt out nurses is alarming. Within the last year or two, when I would tell people that is what I wanted to do, they start with horror stories on how all the nurses they know hate it. I'm on the fence about becoming a nurse or a sonographer.

    I love how you can start as a RN and just keep going up and up with your career, advanced practice, or earn 6 figures as a CRNA...etc.

    Mollyzmoon have you been to allnurses.com? The forums there have sections for nurses all over the world. The Canada forum has over a thousand threads.
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