Choosing a career was not easy for me. After taking all the backroads and working in different settings, from bartending to administrative assistant, I knew I wanted a career in which I could put my high energy to good use, where I could be challenged daily, and one in which I could express my care for others. With a suggestion from my lovely grandmother and after researching nursing, my decision to pursue a career in the field became obvious, so much so that at the mature age of 28 I decided to leave my comfortable desk job with amazing benefits and my comfortable life style to become an entirely committed and broke nursing student.
My idea of nursing changes daily with new knowledge. For example, I was under the impression that I would not have a problem finding a job upon graduation, but after a scholarship interview with TMH and further research, I realized that finding a job upon graduation could be a challenge anywhere. As of right now our biggest hospital, TMH, only hires 20 or so graduates per semester. Tallahassee has over 3 nursing programs that graduate at least 20 students each. Not only that but I learned that even if I'm lucky enought to find a job fresh out of shcool, it will more than likely not be in my desired unit: the ER, or my desired shift: days. I'm assuming more than 50% of Tallahassee nursing graduates will want to stay in Tallahassee and most of those will want to work at TMH, so I am aware that it will be the survival of the fittest out there when it comes time to find a job.
As a nurse, I would like to obtain experience in different units. I know that as a nurse I will continually learn. I would like to maintain a positive attitude, keep an open mind, and stay away from bad habits. I would also like to further my career by getting my masters degree. Beyond that I've thought about becoming a nurse anesthesist as well as a teacher. As of right now all of my thoughts and feelings on nursing are based on research, so I am looking forward to experiencing the reality of it all starting with schooling experience.
Until next time...
Right now with the economy finding a job is a little bit more hectic... hospitals aren't hiring as much as they were, but fear not, when the economy turns, there is still a nursing shortage and still a ton of baby boomer nurses who are about to retire. TCC is well known at the local hospitals for producing great nurses! So while you may not get the ER, and you probably won't get days (at least not at first), you probably won't have much difficulties finding a job. Remember that every day that you are on the unit for clinicals, you are interviewing with that staff. This is a small town and if people decide they don't want to work with you as a student, it sticks with you after you graduate!
ReplyDeleteI think it is an awesome goal to keep a positive attitude throughout all of this. Throughout the program, and on into our careers. I think that should be, like, everyone of us student's mottos!!!
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