I'm thinking about going back to school for nursing...
And I'm wondering if it's for me.
Any wise nurses out there that could enlighten me on the real world of being an RN?

Z

I know it requires long hours and a lot of dedication.

J_9 should be able to tell you what questions to ask yourself to know if it is for you or not. Is there something you wouldwant to specialize in?

I'm not sure what type of nursing I would go into. I'm not even through my anatomy class yet. Are you a nurse?

No I can't even handle the sight of blood OR a needle.

I'm not a nurse, but I can tell you that my mom was a nurse. She would get attached to her patients and one time a little boy that she got very close to died. That was when she quit. Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse but I do know people that are and they love their jobs.

Hard work,on your feet all day,often very physical labor and many times shift work depending on where you get hired and while the money may be an incentive nurses are still sorely underpaid.
There is a nursing shortage and as a result your patient load may be overwhelming.
Not a nurse but I went to school to be a med.asst. and got to see the world of nursing close up.
Very demanding work and I believe that nurses are true angels on earth because what keeps them going is a wonderful dedication that is very admirable.

LOL, I just graduated nursing school and am currently an RN specializing in labor & delivery; prenatal care; and newborn nursery.

If you aren't sure this is what you want, you need to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is you want in life. Nursing school is not for everybody and it is EXTREMELY demading of not only your time, but your mind, sleep deprivation, and loss of family for about 2 years.

You won't be sure what kind of nurse you want to be until you are in school and go through your different rotations such as; med-surg, OB, Peds, surgery, geriatrics, psych, ER, etc. That is where you usually find your niche.

If you care about people then it is a good profession. I am a Pediatric RN, because I love kids. You do get attached to your patients, and yes it does hurt when they die, I have been to too many funerals, but I know I made a difference in their lives and the parents. With the nursing shortage you are often overloaded and the "paperwork" is ridiculous, and the hours are too long, - 12-hour shifts, that are never 12 hours but more like 14. It still can be very rewarding.

The career is rewarding. You must be able to handle stress well and think on your feet. I have 3 degrees on total opposite ends of the spectrum... again nursing is the most rewarding. There is no routine, you must be an honest person and ready for long days.

I am a pediatric nurse and have been for 11years. You do get attached to pt's and families. You have to ask yourself why you want to be a nurse if it is money re-evaluate. If you want to do it because you care about people and want to make a difference then you are on the right track. Yes nurses are paid well but still underpaid for the work load. You have to do some self evaluating it is very rewarding.

I am going back to school to become a nurse. Like J_9, I would love to get into labor and delivery, prenatal and newborn nursery. I went to school and got my bachelors in Business Administration and am currently working in an office. I am quite excited about going back to school and changing careers. Is there anyone out there is going through the same thing or have some insight or opinion?