this and that

Question:

Finished the first year of nursing school on 7/25 and getting ready for the hard and heavy stuff starting year two on 8/21. I'm completely wiped out! I started working as a nurse extern at our local hospital on a med-surg floor, and it is a total madhouse of non-stop action. I have realized over the last 2 years that floor nursing is really not my ultimate goal, but that it may be a necessary step along the way. My biggest interest is in Home Health and Hospice Care.

I wondered what other people were looking to do after graduation. What type of job would you wish/hope to get? What field of nursing is most appealing to you? (I know that jobs aren't as easy to find these days.)

Answer:

I would love to go into OB nursing. I want to go on for my Master's to be a Midwife, but one step at a time. I am working on a BSN/RN program.
I have not done any clinicals yet and am looking forward to the 25th to get started. I have done my 2 years of pre-req and will be taking my first semester of 20 nursing classes this time. I can't wait to get started now!

My thought is to try to get into hospice first. This way I can get all sorts of technical experience like IV's etc. If I can't then a sub acute floor of a nursing home. Here too you can get IV experience and certifications etc. With home health I think it depends on the agency. The one I work for now as a CHHA, doesn't have any technical clients. All VS's and med box fills. I am afraid that I will become stagnant if I do this first and stay. I see some of the nurses here that don't look up the SE of meds and don't think about antibiotics being spaced evenly etc. As a matter of fact, the nursing drug book in the office is 5 years old

I'm on the slow track to my nursing career: I spent a few years learning the ropes of being a CNA, recently received my LVN license, and plan to start my RN by correspondence (Regency college NY). Although it might take me 10 years to get my BSN, I know that nursing is the right career choice for me. I guess I would be considered a non-traditional student, but I don't want to start that argument again. I thought your question about our career goals was interesting; maybe some nurses who have been there/done that could give some advice. My ultimate goal is to be an Enterostomal Therapist. I think wound care is a fascinating and rewarding part of nursing. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing about other students career goals.