Comments on: Recommending RN’ing

By: Margot

Margot — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 01:06:09 +0000

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.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 23:07:28 +0000

Nice of you to answer questions.

Great blog!

OMM

By: Cara Hill

Cara Hill — Fri, 11 Mar 2005 17:34:23 +0000

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.

By: charles

charles — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 10:49:50 +0000

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…

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 12:50:40 +0000

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.