XP: Nurses... come in

ShanJosh777

I have been considering going to nursing school ever since I originally graduated college and realized that I hate my field.  That was 5 years ago and I still haven't taken the plunge, but I am seriously considering applying to start in March.  I just have a couple of questions:

1.  Did you ever worry about not being able to handle the "gross" factor?  That is the only thing holding me back.  I'm not extremely squeamish, at least not any more than the next person.  I don't love gross things, but no one does, right?

2.  What type of degree do you have and where do you work/what is your specialty?  The program I'm looking at is an RN diploma program, but I'm wondering if it would be better to do a BSN.  But my thought is I could do the RN now, then an RN to BSN later if needed and when my employer might pay for it.

I appreciate any input or advice.  Thanks!

kickenb

I never really worried about the gross stuff.  The only time I was ever grossed out was when I was watching a vein surgery in nursing school.  You do get used to it though.  I did Labor and Delivery for many years and still remember the smell of c-sections.  But I got used to it and it never bothered me.  Yeah, there are some things that will be out of the ordinary gross, but you are a professional and deal with it. 

I did my BSN.  Schooling is really determined by what type of nursing you would like to do.  If you know you want to work in a hospital as a floor nurse, then the diploma program is just fine.  They get paid the same as nurses with their BSN.  I knew I would eventually want to do something in administration or go back for my masters.  That is why I did my BSN.  I currently work as a manager, a position that a BSN was required for.  So for me, the BSN made more sense.  

jenuine

I'm not a nures, but work at a major hospital. Just putting my 2 cents that if you can do your job at a hospital, a lot of hospitals pay for your schooling if you work there for a year when you complete school. Not sure what you currently do for a living, but if you can do it in a hospital, I'd at least call the local HR office to see what their policy is. GL! There is such a shortage of nurses in the country. You'd be helping fill a great void!

MKE6115

1. I never thought about the gross stuff. I have been in hospitals volunteering since I was in middle school so I was use to it. It depends on what you think is gross. If you do not like body fluids, then nursing is not for you.

2. I have a BSN and work in a NICU. I am also in managment but I do not need to have my BSN to do either bedside nursing or managment. I am going back to school to be a NP which you do need your BSN for. I know a lot of nurses who have gone back for their BSN...so if you like the diploma program go for it. GL!

amajane

I am a fertility nurse at a large reproductive center. So I do clinic work. I don't do blood draws, insert IVs or really handle anything having to do with blood. But I do perform inseminations so I see a lot of vagina and discharge which does take some getting use to.

I have BSN as does every nurse I work with. I don't think they would hire someone with a diploma degree. But if you are okay with just working in a hospital as a floor nurse, a diploma degree is all you need.

Good luck! 

kaylamarcus

I am a nursing student (in an Associate's Degree program) because I want to start working asap.  I will definitely upgrade to a BSN once I am working though--I know a lot of nurses who have done this for really reasonable expense/time commitment.  My mom is also an RN and I currently work at our largest local hospital.  My mom has an AA and is in management and has worked in a million different deparments--not just standard floor nursing.  So it just depends on what kind of programs/wait times/expense there would be in aa vs bsn programs, I think.

As for the gross factor, you just get used to it.  There are plenty of nursing jobs that aren't very gross at all (when it comes to bathroom habits/vomit, etc) but most I've seen in the hospital do have to deal with blood and/or IV's.  It really helps that you're surrounded by people who just deal with the grossness as part of life/nature---kinda rubs off on you.

Good luck!!!

riv08

I've been an RN for 3 years. I went through a diploma program and loved it. I got so much clinical experience. If you want to know if you can handle the gross factor, try being a certified nursing assistant first at a hospital or a nursing home. This way you can find out if you can handle the body fluids. I have to take people to the bathroom and do tons of really gross stuff that I won't mention on a message board as an RN. I once had a friend who was interested in being an RN and asked me if RNs took people to the bathroom. I told her yes and she asked me "Aren't there people to do that for you?" and I told her "you"

I think nursing is a very rewarding profession and I wish you luck in your decision.