Advice would be greatly appreciated - what would suit me? / Nursing Education / Specialties / Forums / NurseCentral -

Hello everyone,

I am new here and was hoping I could 'pick some brains' regarding becoming a nurse. I am from Europe and where I'm from, the study path is slightly more straight forward than it seems to be here (one way to study to be a nurse, and then you train up and specialize after that while working). I have done some research but I know from experience nobody can give better insight than people who have walked the walk :)

I studied history at home, at one of the world's top unis, but Arts & Humanities has always been my forte. However when my fiance got sick a year ago (brain tumour) and our cats got sick throughout the year as well (we had a great 2014, thank you :-p) I started realizing that I am really interested in the medical field and though the situation was horrible, I enjoyed learning "how to fix living creatures" :) I would love to study to become a nurse.

Given our recent situation (my fiance is all better now, thank Medical Science :) ) we currently have only one income (mine) and live with my parents in law. We don't really have the resources for me to go back to school for 3+ years. However, I am considering whether becoming an EN would be suitable for me.

- Any nurses here with a previous Arts & Humanities background; did you feel your non-science background was a serious limitation or was it just a (fun) challenge?

- I would really like to end up working in one of the following areas: neurology, intensive care, mental healthcare, surgical nursing (I realize this is very popular), infection control, wound care, perhaps oncology... would these areas/specializations be suitable for an (E)EN, or would a RN have more tasks relating to this.

- I am reading a lot of aged-care overtone in EN information... I have no issue with aged care at all, but it is not where I would want to end up. Is my impression that ENs mostly work in aged care wrong? It probably is, I just wanted to ask to be sure.

- If I were to get a Diploma of Nursing and work as an EN, would the 'threshold' for later on becoming an RN be lower (intellectually but also practically - would it be faster for an experienced EN to become an RN)?

Any advice on any of the above would be so much appreciated.

I understand my questions are very basic and if you have read this far I want to thank you for your time :)

Nelly

Author	Advice would be greatly appreciated - what would suit me?
NeedMoreCoffee (offline) Joined: Nov 2014 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1	Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:11 pm Last edited Nov 27, 2014, 09:56 pm Update #1 Hello everyone, I am new here and was hoping I could 'pick some brains' regarding becoming a nurse. I am from Europe and where I'm from, the study path is slightly more straight forward than it seems to be here (one way to study to be a nurse, and then you train up and specialize after that while working). I have done some research but I know from experience nobody can give better insight than people who have walked the walk :) I studied history at home, at one of the world's top unis, but Arts & Humanities has always been my forte. However when my fiance got sick a year ago (brain tumour) and our cats got sick throughout the year as well (we had a great 2014, thank you :-p) I started realizing that I am really interested in the medical field and though the situation was horrible, I enjoyed learning "how to fix living creatures" :) I would love to study to become a nurse. Given our recent situation (my fiance is all better now, thank Medical Science :) ) we currently have only one income (mine) and live with my parents in law. We don't really have the resources for me to go back to school for 3+ years. However, I am considering whether becoming an EN would be suitable for me. - Any nurses here with a previous Arts & Humanities background; did you feel your non-science background was a serious limitation or was it just a (fun) challenge? - I would really like to end up working in one of the following areas: neurology, intensive care, mental healthcare, surgical nursing (I realize this is very popular), infection control, wound care, perhaps oncology... would these areas/specializations be suitable for an (E)EN, or would a RN have more tasks relating to this. - I am reading a lot of aged-care overtone in EN information... I have no issue with aged care at all, but it is not where I would want to end up. Is my impression that ENs mostly work in aged care wrong? It probably is, I just wanted to ask to be sure. - If I were to get a Diploma of Nursing and work as an EN, would the 'threshold' for later on becoming an RN be lower (intellectually but also practically - would it be faster for an experienced EN to become an RN)? Any advice on any of the above would be so much appreciated. I understand my questions are very basic and if you have read this far I want to thank you for your time :) Nelly modified: Thursday 27 November 2014 10:00:42 pm - NeedMoreCoffee

Sr27 (offline) Joined: Dec 2015 Location: Gold Coast Posts: 6	Dec 11, 2015, 09:14 pm Hi Nelly, It's interesting how you've been inspired to become a nurse through your loved one's medical journey. Hope things are going well with your fiance. I earned a Diploma of Nursing in the United States many years ago, and I am about to begin study for a diploma again, this time in Australia. The program I did in America was very solid, very good. The enrolled nursing programs in Australia do not appear as comprehensive at first glance, but time will tell. EN's are not confined to aged care, that's probably just a stereotype. By becoming an EN you can start working as a nurse and gain experience much quicker, then go on to become an RN when you are ready. For some, including myself, it's the right path. But only you can decide that. Just make sure you are comfortable with the nursing program you choose! I would recommend less online study and more face-to-face lectures, if you can. Good luck! Scott

Nursing issues

Advice would be greatly appreciated - what would suit me?