Interview:
Nurse
Karen
She chose a career in the nursing field because she loves working with people on a personal level. She enjoys her job and gets a great deal of satisfaction when she discharges patients.
"The best part of the job is when you discharge patients, a patient that came in sick is now healed and healthy. I appreciate my career in Nursing because it pays well, and I have a fixed schedule, so I plan other things around my schedule. "
If she could change one thing about my career, it would be the people who, I can't save. In other words she would save everyone.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have went straight through school and recieved my masters in nursing. Now that I have children and a family that I am responsible for, it is hard to focus on me, studying, going to school and even financially affording to pursue my degree. If you go for nursing, make sure you get your masters, there are more things to do with a masters in nursing and you do not have to be a bedside nurse. Bedside nursing is stressful at times and hard on the body.
It was origninally hard for me dealing with death and patients, but eventually you become comfortable with the that people are born and people die. It is a cycle in life.
When I was in nursing school, I was a full time student. I am not the smartest person, and nursing is not an easy major. After the first semester, I got a hang of exam patterns and I improved my study habits by making a very strict daily schedule. That is how I survived. My family and friends were very supportive.
If you could do it again what would you do different:
Obtain my masters immediately after graduating.
I told her about myself and about my experience with changing my major from Nursing to Economics, I explained that my main concern is job security and I am not sure if I appreciate close patient contact. I think there are other ways to help people than healthcare. Some things just make me feel uncomfortable, gross and at times I feel insensitive to certain things because I have seen so much in the hospital. I expressed my soncern with death, I told her that I am fine with death but I can remember every patient that I have had to put in body bags. I expressed my concern with prolonging a patients life when they are on life support, some times you can tell that they are in pain and I feel like it is selfish of any human to prolong their suffering.
She agreed and said these are all valid concerns, you learn the best way to deal with them as you go along. The books can only teach you so much but you know yourself.
Nurse:
Patricia
How did you know Nursing was the career for you?
I didn;t know. I was going through a rough divorce and I had to make ends meet and everyone knows nursing gives you job security and good pay. I did it more for my kids than myself.
What do you wish you knew then, that you know now?
I wish I acknowledged the value of an education before I turnesd 32. Going back to school at 32, I felt like I just had to do it and I had no options. Although it was a good motivation, I still wish I had that motivation, when I was young like you. I would have went to Medical School instead. I feel like I limited myself at times. I realized how smart I was in nursing school. All it took was dedeication.
What were some of the most difficult things about Nursing school, not having support, I though t it was impossible, It took me 3.5 years to complete an associated degree, I went to school part time because I had to work to take care of my kids. It was all worth it.
Nursing is fufilling, I leave work everyday feeling accomplished. When I had no love with my husband, Nursing became my love and it has brought me confidence, security and experience that I would not have gotten otherwise.
I explained to her that I changed my major from Nursing,
" I don't blame you. your young, you can explore other things, there are more things to do in this world than helping the sick. If your heart is somewhere else then follow your heart. Whatever you do, dedicate yourself! Dedicating yourself, you'll be the best you can be in anything you do. Make sure you love what you do, otherwise, it is hard to leave. Think of your career as your husband. Your going to have to see alot of it. Whatever it is you decide to do, as long as there is passion there you'll be successful.
