what it takes to be a nurse
January 21st, 2010Decisions, decisions.
This week we have had the dreaded news that in September, I must leave La France before my working holiday visa expires. Without us being married, or having a kid, it means nothing to be a partner of a frenchman here. I understand the reasons behind it being so strict but it just sucks for us. The prefecture was full with people wanting to live in France and I soon realised that it is like that every day, in every city in France. I am not unique. Except for me, it’s because my partner is French and we were hoping to stay here for another few years. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.
thoughts...?
So… plan B? I have been thinking for a loooooong time about my future ‘career’. I have studied psychology previously for 3 years (bachelor degree) but have not used it since and wouldn’t be able to without further studies (and have not been sure that it’s the route I want to take). But I am now thinking more and more about going back to study to be a nurse. Yes, an infirmiere. I’ve been googling and researching my little heart out, trying to find out the ‘ins and outs’ of nursing school and thereafter, being a nurse.
My mum was a nurse in a rest home and I remember going there when I was little and talking to the old people and liking this environment (one of helping people feel comfortable). When a person close to me was sick, we spent A LOT of time in hospitals for her treatment and I will never forget the lovely nurses who really cared and helped her. The ones that you can feel are in the job because they care.
The thing is… and something which I have been craving (and missing) in my career is that… I want to help people (and always have been like that), even if that means I have to deal with poo, vomit and blood on a daily basis (at least I’m still helping someone). I have been doing office jobs for the past 5 years (during my temping, I worked in at least 6 different offices) where I haven’t felt content or like I’m making any positive difference to this world. And I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life. So it means going back to study for another 3 years to nursing school, with a lot of hard work and dedication. Am I ready?
After telling a close friend last night about this plan (this particular friend being very honest… blunt at times!), he called it how he saw it. He said that because I am such a free spirit, he was a bit worried about if I would be okay to settle down for the next 3-5 years. Well, I guess I will have to sometime (I can’t be fluttering between countries forever…) and I won’t know until I try.
Unfortunately, I have found there are a multitude of burnt out nurses online who are intent on telling their stories to the world in such a negative fashion. This can be a little offputting but at the same time, I have to remember that there are people in EVERY profession who complain about lack of pay, lack of appreciation, bla bla bla. So while I understand these individual’s struggles, I don’t think it is reflective of the entire profession. And life is what you make it. And of course, there are many opportunities in nursing to branch out into if one particular field is not the right one for me.
So anyone out there, any advice for a potential nurse?
Merci beaucoup.
Categories: random stuff
A blog about my life and travels and everything in between. ♥ Love my friends, wine, music & travelling the globe. I am a kiwi girl with a frenchman.
Samantha said
January 21, 2010 at 10:27 am
Why not get PACSed? If you have lived together for at least one year already, the PACS will give you the right to the same cds as being married does - ie, you would have the right to work & stay here without having to be a student.
Though going back to school is not a bad idea either. One thing you should definitely look into is whether or not you will be allowed to take the concours at the end - many French concours require you to be an EU citizen.
Monique said
January 21, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Ah, I was just going to suggest the same thing as Samantha
haha, beat me to it!
Nikki said
January 21, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Hey love,
I went through the same thing earlier in the year… hence my plan to go back and study teaching. I decided not to study yet as I can’t afford to be incomeless for much longer, but it’s always going to be there. In the mean time I’m looking for jobs where I can make a difference. Just not in international development anymore. I think that’s all a bit full of shit.
Anywayyyy… You’d make a truly fabulous nurse-y type chick. 3 years really isn’t that long in the scheme of things and as you say, if the nurse thing doesn’t work out then there are plenty of related career options. One of my fave people in the world was the Director of Family Planning International, and she was a nurse in a previous life(/career). You never know where it’ll lead ya!
xo
Kim said
January 23, 2010 at 12:35 am
And from my experience the fees at a French Uni are WAY less than those at a NZ Uni!
I’m on a programme, as French Government Scholarship student, through the French Embassy in NZ where I’m exempt from uni fees and they pay my healthcare too - take a look here http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/spip.php?rubrique168 perhaps you may be able to get the same kinda grant that I get.
Bon Courage!
Sarrah said
January 26, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Thank you for your comment on my blog
I say go for it and do the Bachelor of Nursing, there are so many avenues in nursing, it can lead you anywhere.
What uni/ polytechnic are you looking at enrolling in?
Yes, it has a high rate of burn out, one of things I am worried about. I am going into my nursing career knowing that it is a possibility, but I think by understanding and recognizing this early on I will be able to put things in place to prevent it from happening e.g good preceptor, good relationship with mentor, de-briefing as needed, balanced and healthy lifestyle, etc.
parlezvouskiwi said
January 26, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Thanks so much for your support guys - will keep you updated! x
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope said
February 2, 2010 at 1:29 am
You can do it! And remember, even though you read about a lot of burnt out nurses stories, that is only because they’re venting.The cool thing about nursing is that if you get bored or sick of what you’re doing, you can move around and do something else. There is just so much to do in nursing: adults, peds, maternity, hospice, critical care, including ICU and ER, burn centers, camps, prisons, dialysis, forensics (help with rape victims, etc), outpatient office nursing…not to mention the sub-specialites like cardiac, respiratory, renal, infectious disease…the list seriously goes on. And then, you can go back to school and become a nurse practitioner and act as a primary care provider. So, if someone is truly burnt out, then they probably shouldn’t do nursing anymore because the options are endless.
It is a A LOT of work, especially the school part, but I think that in the end, it is worth it if it’s what you want to do. Sure, you might see some gross things and have to wipe some butts here and there, but that really is not a huge deal like some people make it out to be. You get to see totally random, cool, sad, and awesome things on a daily basis.