Good Evening readers. By way of introduction, my name is Stephanie Jewett. I have been a registered nurse for 30+ years in a host of fields and also hold a MBA from Regis University in Denver, Co. I’m going to talk a little bit about how I got the idea to go into nursing school, some of the reasons I love nursing and other options for nurses that want to be out of the hospital setting. In addition, I’d like to address why I think it is a good idea to obtain your CNA training and certification before you head off to nursing school. I met Sandra via the Internet and observed her useful website – there is very good information here, so please frequent her site. My site is somewhat different, in the fact that I share 30+ years of nursing experience and knowledge with nurses, students, caregivers, moms, patients and the general public. Usually I address specific diseases and disorders, but often incorporate my nursing skills, administrative years and financial background in a variety of areas. I just started blogging this year and welcome you to visit my site, Nursing Comments, at http://www.nursingcomments.com
When I was younger, I was extremely close to my grandparents; they lived just down the hill from where I grew up (Iowa). I believe nursing was always in my ‘blood’, as I would help my grand folks as they started to age. I noticed little things like limping carrying in the groceries, a dirtier house than normal, older food in the refrigerator, less than perfect hearing, hair turning grey, naps during the day, a surgery for a temporary colostomy, oxygen to breathe, falling on the ice, and the list goes on and on. After attending college at Iowa State University for two years, I came back to my home town to start a nursing program. It was a three-year diploma program at the main hospital where I lived, and I was sure I had found my niche. The studies were rather intense at first, but it helped that I worked part-time as a nursing student on various floors to learn more about the actual clinical duties.
The reasons I love nursing are many. First of all, I can’t think of a more rewarding career than nursing. Not only do you help the patient, but most times you help the family as well. Your skills need to be sharp, every case is different, rotating on different floors gives you an excellent education on just about every disease process, educating family and patients about specific diseases gives you reassurance in your abilities as a nurse, working with skilled professionals always sparks your interest to learn more and the specialty areas (surgery, emergency room, intensive care, etc.) keep you on your toes and insist that perfection is a part of your job. It never gets boring, as there is something new to learn everyday!
Throughout my career, I have developed several skills, in the areas of management, floor nursing and entrepreneurship. Today you have access to so many areas and options where nurses can be consultants, entrepreneurs, writers, bloggers, etc. A few weeks ago I did a post on many job opportunities for nurses that did not want to be in the hospital setting. I came up with forty-two different job options. I have done many of these, as I raised two sons alone and desperately needed flexible schedules, salary increases and extra income. So, I have written two books that I sold on the Internet, had my own transcription business, have been a legal nurse consultant, a home-health care nurse, medical billing and coding entrepreneur, a school nurse, a medical and legal chart reviewer, a nursing recruiter and an administrator for a surgery center. These were all in addition to the many fields of nursing that I did in the hospital setting.
Finally, I want to stress the importance of knowing that you really do want a career in nursing. When I started school, there were not nearly as many courses offered for certified nursing assistants. Nursing is not for everyone and it is a marvelous stepping stone to get your CNA training and certification before you start nursing school. Sandra makes this a simple process, has a lot of information regarding the exam itself, how to renew or transfer a CNA license, salary and pay scale data, interviewing tips, a list of Nurse Aide registries by state and other helpful tips on obtaining this very important license before you make the choice as to whether or not you want to become a nurse.
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