What it’s Like to be a Nurse
Interview with a Nurse Practitioner RN LPN
By Jennifer C., ICU
The nursing profession can be very stressful but rewarding. Most nurses or RNs (or LPNs) will tell you they have long hours, up to 12 hours a shift, with constantly changing schedules. The day-to-day job typically takes place in a hospital or doctors office taking care of patients. Nurses have more interaction with patients than anyone else. Where doctors might come in once a day or operate on the patient, it is the nurse that is at the bedside of the patient during his or her stay.
My particular position is in the Intensive Care Unit, or ICU, and I find it rewarding. I get to care for a patient throughout the recovery process and often times I meet them on admission and then see them get to leave. Here, one is able to really get to know the patient and their family and friends as you are their primary caretaker. You make sure they’re fed, medicated, warm and happy. In ICU, you see at most 2 patients per shift, other areas of the hospital such as telemetry, you may have up to 4 patients a shift. This may be a consideration for a graduating nurse choosing a particular area.
A typical day of a Nurse:
A typical day for a nurse varies wildly. Some nurses work 60 hours a week, some work 8. Some work the graveyard shift, while others work mornings. There are also many fields of nursing; Anesthetic, Cardiac, Community Health, Mental Health, Oncology, Perioperative, Home health, etc. Everyone of us has a very different type of day. I’ve worked in ER as well Surgery and ICU. ER is constant movement on your feet managing critical patients recently admitted. Pre-operative surgery was more of providing instructions to patients, paperwork, and generally providing mental preparation for operations. ICU is a fast paced environment with big rewards when patients recover wonderfully. It’s very challenging as a patient’s survival is dependant on his or her nurse.
How much does a Nurse Make?
Nurses usually get paid by the hour and it ranges from $20 to over $40 for the most specialized and experienced nurses. I personally make $36 an hour in ICU which includes an extra $3/hr differential for working the night shift. I only work 3 days a week, which at 12 hours each is 36 hours a week. If I added 1 extra shift per week, which many nurses do, I would increase my annual salary from $67,392 to $89,856.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
Constant evaluation of a patient’s needs, monitoring conditions, adjusting medications and other intravenous fluids, operating ventilators or other equipment, taking blood and urine samples for cultures, documenting care, providing care instruction, providing emotional support.
Pros and Cons of Nurse:
Pros:
Truly helping others
Job Security
Ability to travel as a nurse
Career advancement as well as lateral movement
Great salary and benefits
Cons:
Long hours
Unstable schedules
Losing patients (emotionally draining)
Exposure to disease (i.e. M.R.S.A.)
How to Become a Nurse:
A few ways exist to become a nurse:
1. Procuring a 4 year bachelors of science in nursing
2. Getting your associates degree, then going to a 2 year nursing program
3. Uncommon but still possible is the hospital diploma plan.
Qualifications:
Nursing license such as LVN, LPN, RN from either an associates or bachelors of science.
Compatibility:
One must be able to handle the sight of blood, open wounds etc. The study of anatomy, chemistry, psychology, nutrition and the like can be overwhelming at times – you will have to be a bookworm for a while. Math skills are also required for the job.
[...] and makes $21 an hour. we live in toledo ohio which is a major city and they only start at $18-19 ? What it?s Like to be a Nurse by EDUGREE I personally make $36 an hour in ICU which includes an extra $3/hr differential for working the [...]
[...] and makes $21 an hour. we live in toledo ohio which is a major city and they only start at $18-19 ? What it?s Like to be a Nurse by EDUGREE I personally make $36 an hour in ICU which includes an extra $3/hr differential for working the [...]
[...] and makes $21 an hour. we live in toledo ohio which is a major city and they only start at $18-19 ? What it?s Like to be a Nurse by EDUGREE I personally make $36 an hour in ICU which includes an extra $3/hr differential for working the [...]