Nursing, or something else?

[Katt505]

Hello all!

Future Nurse, here....or perhaps something else. I'm doing VERY well in school, and if all goes well, I will be in clinicals by Fall next year. The problem is, I'm unsure about what to do:

The reason I chose to study nursing is because of the number of career choices that it enables, the job stability, and the financial security it will provide. Together, I don't see them as bad reasons to choose this field. However, I'm unsure that I'm suited to Nursing. Do you need to be "suited?"

I feel I'm "suited" more for the other field I'm thinking of....hair design/cosmetology. But I'm unsure I'd be good at it. I'm artsy, creative, (a former Musical Theater major), and very personable. I'm sure with proper study I'd be great at anything I put my mind to.

I guess my question is.....what are some after-school careers that Nurses follow? I must say, the idea of blood, guts, and other assorted grossness, 12 hour workdays and mandating turns me off, which is why cosmetology looks so appealing now. I understand I've gotta "get over it" for clinicals-this is fine, and I can suck it up. But being around it for the length of my career isn't something I want.

Any advice? I feel like I must make a decision before the first of the year, as I'm the most financially needed I'll ever be, and I'm up for full Pell now. If I decide to enroll in Cosmetology, I'd do it by January, so I'm eligible for all the aid available (it's a 8 month, full time course, so my aid would cover the "semester" I think)

Thanks all!

[Edson!]

Blood and guts, etc. . .bothers you. . .you probably need to consider something else, since you will still have to have some clinical experience where you may encounter such things through your practicums. 12 hour shifts are pretty much across the board, with some exceptions here and there. But being closed to 12s will really limit you. If working off-shift and holidays bothers you, well, I am afraid you have a good chance of having some trouble. Even in psych nursing, some nurses have to deal with blood draws and episodes of things that aren't always pretty.

And to be honest with you, the market is very tight right now. So, even if you were more flexible, you'd have a tough time.

But here's a good one, and there were always components of this that I always liked. . .Child Life Specialist--usually means occupational therapy degree or something similar to that--and like most things, having a master's give you the edge. But these people at children's hospitals go around and creatively and playfully interact with the kids that are stuck in the hospitals for various reasons. I worked at one famous children's hospital that had just incredible people in the Child Life department. Top notch.

Good luck.

[Nurse_T]

I knew I was going to be ok with nursing when I ate a big bowl of chili on my lunch break right after dressing a stage IV ulcer that was infected, yummy. If you can handle cleaning up after some good old fashioned finger painting, that's a good test too

[rodriguezwalker]

You can have a very bright future in nursing as there are so many job prospects in this field. If you are interested in hair design and cosmetology you can choose it as 2nd career option and can pursue a professional degree in it through online education besides looking after you nursing career. You can pursue your degree via the website referred in my signature where you have an option to select the best degree according to your requirement from the list provided. Moreover you can enroll through this website.

[Stargirl_nyc]

Interesting enough, I am a cosmetologist who is interested in becoming a nurse. I was raised in the field (my mom had a salon). It does give you flexibility of a schedule, very little gross factor ... however I currently am a manicurist in a hotel, which is better for me. Cosmetology is great for job security, you can work anywhere if you pass the licensing which is not complicated. Draw backs? you really need to be gifted in hair design, enjoy cutting/coloring hair, have a knack for dealing with people and can work well under pressure. It's definately a psychological job as well as a physical one.
My advice would be to thoroughly look into why cosmetology? what draws you? what are some things that might be cause you difficulty? 5-10 years down the road do you see yourself working in this profession? Now ask the same questions for nursing. Then follow your gut and your answers. Good luck!

[happyweaver2009]

Hi, Nursing is just some means to an end. I am now a part-time mom and a netpreneur. After being a nurse for almost 5 years, I decided to jump into a career that I always wanted to do. And it's related to blogging. After Nursing, it helps you become disciplined and patient. Nursing has taught me this virtues that I need for my business. Cheers.

[Gart11]

Pardon my bias, but I would say nursing is a better career field. Lets check these pro's.

1) Nursing is good pay (especially with more certifications and the area of nursing you go into)
2) job security --massive nationwide nursing shortage...you will be able to find a job quickly.
3) Nursing is flexible. You don't necessarily have to witness blood and guts every day, Oncology nursing, or ortho floor nursing among others, keep these unappealing things to a minimum (although im sure you will still witness some). (avoid ER and ICU and Surg obviously)
4) Benefits are good.
5) Many nurses can work 2 days a week (weekends) and get paid for 3 (considered full time).

P.S. I'm not pre-nursing or nursing, --undergrad biochem major and work in the ER as a tech.

anyways, there is my 2cents.

[sandramathews]

I am doing the Nursing from my past 5 years. I love to take care of my patients. I am Glad to be member of this site. I hope Nurses are been joined in this site.