So Long, Farewell... I Think It's Time to Say Goodbye

Well peeps, it's been a long 10 weeks. And now it's time to say goodbye. These last few weeks have been challenging to say the least. In the past I have enjoyed reading other blogs but never would I have thought to write my own blog. But now that I've done it it wasn't so bad. I have enjoyed spending a little extra time looking into my future career and sharing some tidbits of information with you all. I hope you have somewhat enjoyed reading my ramblings. 

Through this blog I was able to share with you some of my frustrations, goals, dreams, pep talks, and the challenges and choices I will have to overcome and make. This has not been an easy journey but it has helped me dig deep and find the strength within to press on. This assignment has taught me more about my dream career and I got to explore the virtual world inside the nursing field. From the classes I will take, the tests I must pass, to the shadowing and eventually into the real world of nursing I have been able to get a glimpse of my future. And that just makes me want to get there even faster! 

Creating this blog was challenging because I wasn't sure what to post about. But when I did pick a topic it made me even more excited to fulfill my goals and dreams and get into my career and I got to learn. That was a major plus! I hope you were able to find some encouragement to fulfill your own goals through my posts and also learn what nursing students go through to fulfill their goals. And if you like anything I ever had to say and would like to read something even better, check out Nurse Eye Roll.

Never give up on your dreams or goals! 

Here's to our FUTURE! 

Nurse Practicioner

My previous post was about me interested in labor and delivery nurse as a specialty. This post I am going to talk about nurse practitioners. My ultimate goal in nursing is to become a nurse practitioner. I do plan to work as an RN and continue my education. Once I graduate with my BSN I will enter a master's program to get my Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree which can take between two and four years to complete. 

NP Statistics

According to npcentral.net, "A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications, treat illness, and administer physical exams. NPs differ from physicians in that they focus on prevention, wellness, and education." I plan to specialize in either obstetrics or pediatrics, so working as an L&D nurse will be beneficial to me becoming an NP. Here is a link to a site for 5 Reasons to Become an NP. All of those are some of the reasons I am choosing to continue on this career path. 

Labor and Delivery Nurse

In my last post I spoke about how there is an old "idea" that you have to work in med-surg before being able to work on a specialty unit. This old idea isn't necessarily accurate anymore. It is possible (very difficult but possible) to begin your nursing career on a specialty unit. This is important to me because there are a few different specialties I am interested in. Being interested in a specialty unit means I'll have to work extra hard and get some extra certifications if needed. But all of that would be totally worth it if I am able to begin my career doing my dream job. 

One of the specialties I am interested in is the Labor and Delivery unit. From what I have seen, experienced, read and, heard from current L&D nurses being an L&D nurse is something I can really see myself doing. I personally know four L&D nurses and have really enjoyed picking their brains and learning what all is involved on the unit. 

To put it simply, labor and delivery nurses help bring precious babies into the world everyday. But there is more to it than that amazing part of the job. L&D nurses monitor the mother and baby during labor this includes, monitoring the babies heart rate, the mother's blood pressure, temperature, contractions, and cervical dilation. Labor and delivery nurses coach the mother during labor and childbirth with breathing and to help the delivery to be as comfortable and smooth as possible. L&D nurses assist the doctor during delivery and work along other healthcare professionals. They also help prepare the mother and family for the different stages of delivery. Once the baby is born the L&D nurse's job is not over. 

Who wouldn't want to have her job?!

Working on this unit could be stressful but so rewarding being a part of the delivery of a healthy baby. I am definitely looking forward to getting the opportunity to shadow and getter a closer look on the labor and delivery unit and see how I would feel. In the meantime I will continue to read Shelly's blog adventures of a labor nurse. 

Do I Have to work Med-Surg?

Something I have heard many times is after you graduate nursing school you have to work a couple of years in med-surg before you can work on a specialty unit. That has been a little discouraging to me and I have wondered how much truth is in this "rule." So I looked into this "rule" to find out there is no such "rule" it's basically just a recommended suggestion or idea. I came across the Nerdy Nurse and a post she had written on this very topic. In her post she said, "It is a myth that new nurses have to work in med-surg before pursuing a specialty." That was music to my ears. In her post she goes on to give you tips on how to pick the right specialty like observing/shadowing a nurse on that unit. She also gives you tips on how to get noticed and get your foot in the door and a lot of other useful advice. Her blog is just what I needed to refocus my game plan. It's not easy to be able begin your nursing career on a specialty unit but it's not impossible either. It's encouraging to know that nurses already working in their career feel the same. 

I have some friends who have graduated nursing school and they broke free from this idea and began their nursing careers in the ER, ICU, L and D, and a few other specialty units. To say them landing their dream job was out of pure luck would be ridiculous and foolish of me to think. I know they worked their tales off to get where they are. And that's just what I am going to do. 

I love quotes, especially ones that encourage and motivate me. So here are a couple that do just that.

Dream Big Dreams 

Your goals should cause you to grow.