Recommending RN'ing (Story Submission)
added by geena on March 7, 2005 at 6:58 PM
Rissa asks:
I recently earned my bachelor's degree in Biology. I would like to either become a nurse or a PA. I am conflicted. What do you suggest? What are the pitfalls in nursing? What do you like about it? Would you encourage others to go into nursing?
I can only speak for hospital nursing, which really is only a part of the many different directions you can go. I'm glad to answer this question now, because I'm starting to get a little burned out and I need to remind myself what I like about my job. I haven't posted much lately (well, I never post much) because all of the posts in my head lately have been negative.
I like learning how people react to illness and stress. I LOVE to educate people about ICU, the monitors and tubes and wires, and the specific disease process that they're experiencing. That's my favorite part of the job. Just the other day, my patient was dying, and I educated the (rather large) family about signs of death and how they related to what the patient was doing. They later told me that they felt that I supported them the most, just by educating them and answering their questions.
The pitfalls... hmmm. My particular unit ROCKS. We work very well together as a team. Other units, however, can be cliquish or simply be so busy that it's hard to find help. That can make for a very long, hard shift.
I would encourage others to go into nursing. It's not the perfect profession, but if you like interacting with people and are interested in the medical field, you should consider it. Compared to being a PA - the nurse spends the absolute most time at the bedside of a patient. PA's, like doctors, spend a few minutes here and there, but they see a much greater number of patients. It all depends on how much time you want to spend. I'm not sure of the hours that a PA works, if they're closer to shifts, as a nurse works, or more like a doctor, where sometimes they can be at the hospital all day.
Anyone else have any suggestions?
And another plug for you to visit Tsunami Hope: My friend Donna is working on a hospital ship near Indonesia and has been sending updates and photos to her blog pretty much every day. Very interesting reading.
Progress Notes
To PA or to RN, perhaps to NP?
I have been dealing with the realities of nursing for the past 26 years and admit that I have been discouraging people from going into the profession. Having said that I have to ask Rissa the question "what really motivates you, what are you passionate about?". If you are passionate then you will succeed. I have learned (after a while) that I am passionate about people and helping them. Throughout my nursing career I have been a critical care nurse, Case Manager, Clinical Instructor, and Salesman (for a drug company). After wandering about, I came back to ER bedside nursing where I started. Why? Well, it has to do with what I take home with me. When I put my head on the pillow at night, I know that I have helped some people that day. Now to the question at hand.
PA? You will always be just one step lower than the doc. Relying on him for approval of all you do. RN? caring directly, albeit under a doctor's orders. NP? More independance, more autonomy.
I am in fact in my master's program toward my PNP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. When I am done in two years, I will see patients independantly, for counselling and also be able to perscribe medications. Many NP's are in the community, working with MD's, working in ER's, and working in hospitals as House Officers as well.
Finally, go to nursing school, you will find out fairly quickly if it is right for you. Some universities have one year accelerated RN programs just for students like you with BS degrees.
added by Jim on March 8, 2005 8:50 AM
yeah - it definitely seems like nurses have more of a community and professional stature, although it may be harder work. i guess the pay is about the same but i'm not sure. either choice would be fulfilling though.
hey geena - do you know what happened to diana (the write wing)? her blog is gone...
added by charles on March 10, 2005 6:49 AM
First of all-love your blog. Advice to Rissa: if you're in it for the money or prestige-do the PA thing.I think surgical PA's get to do some cool stuff, but the other ones I know are just h&p writers. I am an RN and I love working in critical care, its very hands on and autonomous. Plus, you don't take your patients home with you after your shift.
added by Cara Hill on March 11, 2005 1:34 PM
Nice of you to answer questions.
Great blog!
OMM
added by Jason on March 16, 2005 7:07 PM
I'm a former tech. Many friends are nurses, and after 20-30 years, they are shifting to things that are less hard physically, like NP and CRNA.
One of my favorite nurses was wonderful in CCU/ICU and has since become an NP in our local ER. That's a wonderful place to use all those years of knowledge and experience.
added by Margot on March 17, 2005 9:06 PM
So, what brought you to the hospital today?