I'm not sure which career path is be best for me, can someone help guide me in the right direction?
I'm 23 years old, ever since I was child I've wanted to be someone that helps others. I've worked at a hospital for 3 years now, searching for the career thats right for me. I started of as ancillary staff but after less then 1 and a 1/2 years I became part of The Lift, Mobility, & Compression Team. Basically we work really close with nursing staff and physical therapy, we respond to every crisis situation (code stroke, code blue, patient falls, to an in patient getting moved up to ICU), we also are firm believers in early mobility so we work with patients doing range of motion, dangling, standing, getting them on cardiac chairs or regular chairs, ambulating them, and even helping discharge max assist patients. Right now my major is nursing, but I would not want to work as a floor nurse, recovery nurse, ICU nurse, pick line nurse, or wound care nurse. I'm thinking CVOR nurse, ER nurse, trauma nurse, crisis nurse, CRNA even though there is a lot more school required, one thing that really grasps my attention outside of the medical field is becoming a fire fighter. #nursing #registered-nurses #surgery #firefighting #emergency-room #trauma-nursing #firefighter
3 answers
Shelley’s Answer
Nelson, I agree with the other posts but I get the impression from you question that you want advice on becoming a firefighter even though you are invested in becoming a Nurse. I know several firefighters who work other jobs on their days off and I know nurses who work other jobs on their days off. I happen to be one of them. I am a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and a Nurse and I enjoy both of them. I became a Nurse at mid life because it was something I always wanted to do, I wanted to work in a certain specialty, which I do and I have plenty of options for work.
Consider once you become a nurse, you will likely be able to work shifts that fit with training to be a firefighter. I encourage you to investigate your interest and I believe you will be surprised that the uniqueness of the two careers will open many opportunities for you. Good luck!
Deb Pahl
Deb’s Answer
It sounds as if you have already done much to help you determine what you want to do. In the work you are doing now, you also might want to add physical therapy or occupational therapist to your list! You are already narrowing what you want to do by ruling out what you KNOW you DON'T want to do. Many of the things you state you are interested in have a very similar path such as via Nursing School. You will need at least a BSN to progress in these areas. Perhaps you can do some internships in your areas of interest after you have your degree, or minimally, you can get permission to shadow in those areas. To work in those areas, you must be prepared to maintain ongoing certification aand recertification in ACLS, ATLS in some areas. Depending on ages, you may also have to remain current in PALS or NALS. But, the path to most of those areas is via Nursing school. So, you will want to start there, if you know for sure you are not wanting to consider PT or OT. Good luck in your journey.
Cielo Ortiz
Cielo’s Answer
Like Deb said, it's good that you know what you DO NOT want. Although we all have to pay our dues, doing the work that you do now & being able to continue to work for the same hospital after passing the NCLEX would be of great advantage to you. See if your hospital has an externship program so that could add as experience when you apply or a position. You may not get your dream job initially, but it looks like you're determined & hard-working. Good luck!!