2006-08-13 10:05:17 · 7 answers · asked by Broken heart ♥ 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Nursing is a great career. I recommend it - IF that's what you want to do, not just for the money. Don't bother being an LVN/LPN, do the RN. Good things: you will always have a job, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, any hours, very flexible schedules, good starting pay/benefits. Bad: overworked, long hours, prejudice and sexism, money is good but you're not getting rich, body fluids and intimate care with strangers you may not like.
How old are you? If you're still in high school, start volunteering now at the local hospital. If you are over 18, you can get your CNA (Certified Nurse's Aide). You will be emptying catheters, wiping bottoms and turning people over so they don't get bedsores. You must do this without showing disgust with compassion for the patient, you must be able to care for people you may not like of all ages, shapes and sizes.
If this is a turn off for you, it's best to know now, because this is nursing, no matter how long you've been doing it or what type you do. You can't be afraid to get your hands dirty. If you are, you may want to consider another field. There are a lot of kids getting into nursing now because a two year degree can make you $60k or more right out of school. But if you are not cut out for it, that kind of money will not be enough, believe me. Get used to the kind of attitude you see around here, people assume nurses are no more than housekeepers, servants or some kind of sexy waitress around to service the doctors and patients. You will be overworked and underpaid, work holidays, nights and weekends (at least for awhile in the beginning) and everything will always be your fault!
Now, if you have decided nursing is for you, I don't know what state you are in, but in my state, LPN/LVNs are having trouble finding jobs and only work in the assisted living/nursing homes. Many of the hospitals in my area don't hire them at all anymore. Other states, LPN/LVNs have lots of autonomy and plenty of jobs. My recommendation is to go straight for the RN. If money is an issue, get the ADN (Associate's Degree in Nursing) at a local community college. If you can afford it and have the time, the best option is to get your bachelor's so you don't have to back and get it later (BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
You can find a lot of info here:
http://www.discovernursing.com
2006-08-14 15:29:23 · answer #1 · answered by BabyRN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) It's cheaper. Have you checked out the cost of formula at the store?? Add this to the price of diapers, wipes, medical expenses, etcetera.... It's a smart choice
2) It's healthier for your baby-- certain antibodies can be passed through breast milk from you to your baby to boost the babies immune system and hopefully make the baby healthier. These things cannot be manufactured in even the best quality "formula."
3) It's human. God made us human, and gave us milk specially designed for our species. Why on earth would we try to give the baby some other species milk, or a manufactured version that attempts to mimick our own, when we could easily give our baby custom made food.
4) Unfortunately it can be a lot of work. Please look into it and learn about it. Take new-parent classes throughout your pregnancy and let the hospital staff know during your labor and delivery that you plan to breast feed so they can help you and teach you, and also reassure you when everything seems so frustrating.
Good luck!
Edit- perhaps you meant nursing as a career. Um, yeah I recommend that too. Make sure you job shadow, work in hospitals, clinics, and nusring homes before hand though to get experience and see if you really like it before investing money in school. This type of nursing is a lot of work as well.
2006-08-13 10:16:01 · answer #2 · answered by happily_ever_after 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but be cautious of burn out; change your medical enviroment such as work in GI, internal medicine, family practice, switch to cardiology, surgical units, from clinics to hospitals. Make sure your employer of choice is adequately staffed as that is a downside of nursing these days. Understaffed, long hours, burnout. Positive side: Much needed nurses, inspirational work, helping community, self sacrificing for others, always work!!!And yeh, great signing bonuses...
2006-08-13 10:12:34 · answer #3 · answered by ladyt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely.
there is no food better or more nutritious for a baby than the mother's breast milk.
cow's milk is hard for babys' to digest, and can also result in severe lactose intolerances; it's mucus forming also.
i would recommend nursing for any and all mother.
2006-08-13 10:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by browneyzz90 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can handle what comes along with nursing - blood, human suffering, dying, being overworked, arrogant doctors, etc., your job prospects are 100%.
2006-08-13 10:20:17 · answer #5 · answered by atwil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definitely. Nursing in the US is in very HIGH demand.
2006-08-13 10:11:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not for everyone you will have to be able to see suffering. Lots of it.
2006-08-13 10:12:00 · answer #7 · answered by Ricky J. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋