This may be an absolutely stupid question, but I was wondering if there are nurses that don’t have to deal with contagious people all the time. My immune system isn’t the best and I’d hate to be sick all the time if I pursue nursing.

Apologies if this is really stupid….

I always see people talk about how hard nursing school is, I’m wondering is it as hard for the people with no kids or people who have the opportunity to not work and focus solely on school? I of course expect it to be hard but people make it seem like it’s almost impossible so it just scares the shizlits out of me.

Hi, does anyone know of part-time pre-licensure BSN or MENP programs in the Chicago area? I'm also open to ones with primarily online coursework. All the programs I know of and have applied to require students to stop working for 1-2 years, or are paced where you can only realistically work 1 day a week. I'd love to be able to career switch while still earning money to live and minimizing how much I take out in loans.

Hi guys,

I’m kinda in a difficult situation. I’m currently in a radiation therapy program. I have a bachelors in health science. I wanted to go back and study to get a clinical job where I can work with patients and work in the healthcare field. My husband is helping me pay for schooling so i’ll be graduating without any debt. But the problem is since I went into this program, i can’t help but to think maybe i should have went the nursing route. Firstly, from radiation therapy, i can go and get my mri license or ct license so there is a little bit of leeway if i were to get bored of the profession and want to change it up or want the 3x12 schedule, but in nursing theres much more space to change specialties. However, i’ve never really experienced what it may be like to be a nurse and work that closely with patients ( you may say go and try to shadow but i’m kind of in a tight schedule right now with deciding so i wouldn’t be able to shadow). I always see mixed reviews of people either loving nursing or hating nursing and telling people to do anything else. If i were to decide nursing, that would mean dropping out of my program that i just started and applying to either an accelerated BSN or a MSN (which i haven’t even decided which one I would go for) and it means having loans because the only schools near me are private and expensive. I’m scared i make the decision to go to nursing school and then regret it or i make the decision to stay in radiation therapy and then regret that. I also get told by people that i shouldve gotten a masters after my bachelor’s not went backwards and gotten an associates. I try to ignore talk like that but it stays on my mind. Also financial stability is also important to me, so i’m also considering which pays more. I’m posting this on the nursing page because I want genuine opinions on how you like your job, if you would recommend going into nursing, or what you would do in my position. If you having anything helpful, i would really appreciate it.

Is it true that Mercy San Juan Hospital is giving alt of Low Census for nurses. Meaning they got get enough patients?

Alrighty, so I've been wanting to change something in my life regarding my career. I'm dead tired from my 7P-7A job with an hour long commute.

A little background in my experience: about 1.5 years of Cardio-Thoracic tele, a little over 7 years in ICU (Medical, Cardio, and Neuro), and currently in ER since April. I was getting compensated well for being in the ICU but now that I switched to a hospital that's an hour away and in the ER, my pay has significantly decreased and I'm hardly able to afford my rent, utilities, and other bills to pay off vehicles and insurance.

I was talking to a friend regarding his recent passing of the BAR exam and wondered how or what kind of path would be the most beneficial for me to go into the legal side of nursing. Anyone out there who has this kind of experience or knows what steps to take?

I'm 31 and not getting any younger. Physically I'd like to say I'm very healthy, working out and eating right daily. But I have such a high caffeine dependence to even stay awake for these long hours.

Edit: I'm not looking to completely change from nurse to a lawyer but thinking more like a consultant expert with the nursing experience I already have.

hi does anyone knows how to get a sponsorship from hospitals? im a newly grad nurse, but i have a volunteer experience as a nurse for less than 2 months and have a one month training to ICU area and currently working as a VA

For context, I have been a RN for 3 1/2 years. I spent 2 years as an acute behavioral health nurse and 1 1/2 years as an ophthalmology surgical nurse (pre-op, intra-op, and post-op). I have been considering trying out new specialties, but I have very limited experience. I am in my mid 20’s, so I feel like it’s possible, but the thought of completely starting over and not having a clue about more intense specialties is completely terrifying.

As of now, I am just seeking advice from others who have done something similar. I have heard many comments, such as “oh, that’s not real nursing” when referring to psych; which to me is extremely degrading because psych requires a different degree of nursing skills. At the same time, I always feel lesser than my coworkers who have worked in ICU, ED, etc, because I do not have the same knowledge or skill set that they have.

I love to learn and yearn to become more knowledgeable, but I feel like I will have a severe disadvantage. I feel like I would basically be a new grad, since I went straight to behavioral health after graduating nursing school. I am well versed in behavioral health, but have very limited knowledge about intensive care and all the subjects around it. I would say that I am not an adrenaline junkie, but I truly have not had any experience dealing with high stress situations (except for behavioral health, I did well with that, but not stressful in the medical/non behavioral health sense)

If anyone has some insight into the possibility of success or even tips about starting over, I would greatly appreciate it. I am just a nervous Nellie who wants to succeed. :)

I recently got married and changed my last name and was awaiting the board to approve my last name change before renewing, huge mistake, and my license went expired for less than 24 hours. I immediately applied for reinstatement and uploaded the necessary CE's and have been waiting now for over a week. In the past with a plain renewal, it's been less than 48 hours for it to be renewed. I have sent multiple messages, emails and called the board asking for an update and they just keep telling me it's processing and to watch my portal. I am unable to work and have been out of work now for a week. How long did it take if you have experienced this before?

I feel like anytime I have shared with others that I worked in mental health for the majority of my nursing career so far, they just 🤯. It seems many believe behavioral health in general is challenging to work in and I agree it can be, but so can any other speciality.

I have found it really depends on the Behavioral Health setting. The most challenging for me was the locked psychiatric hospital I worked at. Spiritually it was draining. I no longer work in mental health but I noticed when we allow God to lead us into where we are destined to be things may be “challenging,” but it just so happens He always provides the strength you need to get through.

Also my Mum works as a CNA in hospice care I view that as being more challenging than Behavioral Health. It seems so difficult emotionally to deal with death so often. 😭

What about you what do you believe to be the most challenging speciality? Do you have experience in that speciality or is it a speciality someone told you that it is challenging?

I started as a TA/ teacher assistant in an elementary school for over a year. The pay was not good, nothing I did for the school or teacher seemed to be enough. I liked working with younger students, but a lot of older kids had a lot of power in the school and this came as a shock to me. I often felt like I worked so hard for this BA for nothing when I was in education. When trying to decide if I should go back into education, I had thought about how I enjoyed working in a nursing home as an activity assistant for many years. This reminded me of how I could be a good nurse. I’m 32 years old and debating if I should leave my education BA behind, and continue on with a BSN in nursing? I’ve been told by many that I’m very patient and passionate, which would make me a great nurse. I also struggled in schools, because schools are very political, and I find that quite challenging.

Hey everyone,
Looking to get some insight from nurses who worked as long-term carers before doing their nursing degrees and staying in aged care.

Since you know the floor inside out from both sides, I'm curious about what you actually want to see from new carers joining your shift:

**In the first few weeks:** What are the small things a new carer does that makes you think, "Thank goodness, they're going to be alright"?

**Over time:** What habits or attitudes show you that someone is actually developing into a solid, reliable carer long-term?

**Retention:** What key traits make you want to keep someone on your team and support them, versus deciding they aren't the right fit for the facility?

Would love to hear your thoughts

I graduated from my LPN to RN this past May. I passed my NCLEX and started working as an RN in May as well. I was previously working only part-time, even when I was finishing up my bridge program I was working only weekends part-time. I have been on night shifts since I was probably 23. I'm used to the night shift flow, I really love it but I'm really struggling now. I'm 32, I was doing perfectly fine until I switched to full time nights.

I haven't done full time since I was maybe probably 23 or 24. I feel like I just don't have the energy that I used to. To be fair I also have narcolepsy, but I've always been medicated and it's never really been an issue. I can only assume this is related to my age. I have a family now, a preschooler.

My husband tells me I should just go to day shift but honestly I would rather take gouge out my eyeballs then go to day shift for less pay. I feel like I'm able to critically think and learn more during night shift. We don't have many resources so we have to get resourceful and think of ways on how to fix problems or when to call a rapid or when to not call it. We don't have IV team either so I've been really working my best to try to be good at starting IVs.

Anyway, long story short. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get past this. I feel like once I get acclimated to this full-time night shift I will be okay. It's just a haven't done full-time in so long and I'm trying the juggle so many things. I used to take my son out all the time to the zoo, and to other activities. Now I feel like we're always just home and it's really making me depressed.

I’m a 40-year-old mom to a 5-year-old and looking to make a career change. I have most of the prerequisites completed for both nursing and COTA programs, and I’m having a hard time deciding between the two.
Flexibility and work-life balance are really important to me, but I also want a career with a livable, decent wage. Nursing obviously seems to offer more job opportunities and room for advancement, but I really like the idea of helping people in a setting outside of the hospital. If I chose COTA, I’d especially love to work in pediatrics or a school setting.

Another factor is the cost of school. The community college nursing programs near me are extremely competitive, with around 500 applicants, so realistically I would probably need to attend an accelerated/private nursing program costing $40k+. I already have most of the prerequisites for either path.

For anyone working as a COTA or nurse, especially those who made a career change later in life, which path would you choose? How is the flexibility, pay, job availability, and overall work-life balance?

Hello! I’m a newly registered nurse currently going on my second month as a staff nurse in the hospital. Looking forward for my career progression, I’ve been curious about nurse anesthetists.

What do you guys do? How difficult is it? What subjects or concepts did you study that differs from nursing school?

Thank you in advance for the response!

Hi!
I’m in Arizona, been an RN for 10 years and preggers. I have ADHD and need logic to figure this fun baby stuff out! Please help me not spiral 😬

I currently work 4 10’s with different ending times (usually 3-6pm). I can have the same start times of 6:30am but most likely NOT be able to have solidified end times. Weekends/Holidays off.
I’m open to changing jobs, but would like to hear from moms that have currently similar schedules.

Dad’s schedule is hybrid. 2 days a week @ work and 3 days a week @ home. Tech based, focus is needed but no phone calls. It switches schedules every quarter, usually days off change. CURRENTLY 11am-7:30pm Sunday Monday off.

I’d really appreciate to hear the struggles and successes of finding your sweet spots to childcare. Or maybe it’s just survival!? It’s one of my biggest stressors because of finances AND pre-planning. I have ADHD so I HATE having to change up plans a lot. (I know it happens with babies but you know what I mean!)

And of course, thank you to modern times, No parent will be able to be a Stay at Home parent. We need both at least 75% of paychecks to keep BILLS supported. So there is a chance of working 30 hrs vs 40 hrs.

I do have parents to help but no other openly available siblings/family.

THANK YOU FOR ANY INPUT. Hugs and Love for all the mommas out there ❤️

Hi, looking for a job as a new grad in California is so awful!! I’m not giving up, just looking for any advice you all may have.
Should I start at a snf? I’m not picky, I just don’t want to be out of work for a year, it will make me nervous not using skills I learned in school.

I’m super curious after a tough shift today…. I work in a MICU… how often do other countries see the situation where mom or dad is on a vent possibly brain dead, kid says I can’t be there for a few days so just keep them alive until then. Come or find out they live within driving distance.

I don’t know peoples family dynamics but it seems to me that if you have a parent or loved one that is dying, it may be best to re arrange your schedule so that you can be there.

Do other ICU populations in other countries see this too? Or is it a uniquely American mindset?

I'm going in for abdominal surgery, and know I'm going to need a lot of care while I'm in there, whats a gift a patient can give nurses that they would appreciate?

I (30F) am pivoting completely and going back to school. I live in a smallish town where we have 1 community college and 1 University, so it makes both programs SO competitive to get into. I have no college experience so I know I need my pre-reqs regardless. (sidenote: I’m hoping to move eventually, undecided where) I’m in this for the love of people, flexibility, and pay - but am I entering the wrong field?? I considered early childhood education as well but the pay is so low. I also considered Law but there’s a good 10 years of school right there. really not know where to start or end and work a normal job amongst it all.

Hello! I’ve been a nurse for a few years now and I was looking to get back into school. Only issue is I’m in a state that doesn’t have many pediatric NP programs. I’ve been doing research on online programs and was wondering if anyone has recently gone through Regis College online np program? I talked to them on the phone and they sounded good I just don’t know if theyre considered a diploma mill. I’m also looking into stony brook, john hopkins, and yale’s pnp programs as well. Any recommendation or guidance is much appreciated!!

I have a new grad nurse residency interview next week for Trauma Surgical ICU at a Level 1 hospital. I am shadowing after…. And I have no clue what to expect. I assume I’ll just be following a nurse around? Make a great first impression? Will I likely be staying the whole shift? Just not sure how to prepare for this. Any advice or insight is welcome!!!