Nursing was not the first career field I went into nor was it my first major in college. It was in my mid-twenties the decision to go back to school, retake some less than stellar classes, and go into nursing came to me. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I began nursing school, and my early thirties when I started my first position as a nurse. In many ways, it was good for me to start my career later in life, but unfortunately being as old as I am and at a different part of my life than I was at in my early twenties, I missed out on some aspects and opportunities.
#1 I would be further along in my career.
I would be further along in my career. This one is kind of a given since if I started my job a decade earlier, I would have ten years more of experience. This would have led to several more years of experience and the possibility of advancement compared to my current position. The experience alone would be priceless. The number of years holding a nursing license, and the fact that I currently have two sets of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, that going into nursing career earlier I would have achieved my Master’s degree.
#2 I would have been able to specialize
I would have been able to specialize. Touching back on the topic of the subject of a graduate degree. I would have worked long enough and been exposed to the on-goings of patients and hospitals to have tried other departments. Attaining a master’s degree and specializing in one particular area of nursing. The education would be behind me, as of right now the school and decisions in graduate degrees is ahead of me. Currently, I wonder where I should go next, the questions of whether to specialize and what unit, stay at the hospital or move to a clinic or other workplace.
#3 Some opportunities are opened to nurses.
Some opportunities are opened to nurses. I am in my early thirties and married, my concentration is home, family, and career. The options that I have are the more mundane options, change in position or workplace. The opportunities out there for nurses with limited ties to home are absolutely fantastic. Several organizations bring you to help people in their communities who are either in need or emergency situations. The Red Cross, I initially had my CPR training through them, it was during the nursing school that I learned how a nurse can volunteer. When there is a natural disaster, the teams are sent out to the area to help the people of that community, doctors, and nurse are utilized to help people when they need it the most. Mercy Ships travel to places that do not have access to hospitals or surgeries in an area. A friend of mine spent two months on the boat docked, she was immersed in the culture, the location, the people, and gave these people something that they would never have gotten elsewhere. These ships dock for months, you are able to stay for months or years. Both of these programs are volunteer basis, so you do not get paid for your time or compensation. As someone with a family and mortgage, events and opportunities become more complicated and less likely. Another career miss includes being a Traveling Nurse. As a traveling nurse, you are able to move from city to city, town to town. You work in different settings and see different locations. The position and company differ depending on the company as far as compensation and pay. But this is not something someone can begin with a family.
The experience that I bring to the position is something no one else could carry my attitudes and knowledge, all something that I share with my coworker and patients. There is no going back or redoes in life. Maybe later at one point, I will have the opportunity again to try new thing and new experiences.