Ck is thinking of going for her LPN certification to get going into the nursing profession. She figures it would be more advantageous to get into the profession and then finish working on her RN. Don't know, but it is her decision.
Wanting to get into Geriatric Nursing eventually, she knows it will invole a lot of time and effort. A lot of people think she might be nuts as this is a tough field in nursing. We think she will do fine.
She has done volunteer work for a couple years at an assisted care facility during high school. She loved the work and the people. She has a natural affinity for it. Most people can't handle the idea of working with older people in various stages of decline. She thought it was great.
But, she has that personality. And she has a facinating sense of humor to go with it. She can look at a situation and see a common sense absurdity to it and then turn around and verbalize it.
If she doesn't go too far in nursing, she would do fantastic in an arena where she would have to deal with people. Broadcasting or stand up comedy comes to mind. She has the whole package of cadence, delivery, inflection and facial expression to pull it off. The same traits she will need for this area of nursing.
Anyway she goes, someone is going to get a laugh out of it.
She'll do great in nursing. I certainly couldn't do it!
Posted by: Bogie | September 14, 2003 at 05:30 AM
Minor correction (I think), Wichi Dude. I don't believe that CK was yet in high school during most of her volunteer stint. She did great at the volunteering and she will be great as a geriatric nurse. (But then, MY GRANDDAUGHTER is just plane GREAT!!!
Posted by: Cop Car | September 14, 2003 at 11:20 AM
...if it is something she wants to do then I wish her the best..it is rare that we get the chance to do what we want (and we have the ability to do it) so she should try to follow her dream through...I do like her dad's support and encouragement "Don't know, but it is her decision." :^)...good for you - letting her make her decisions and supporting her in them :^)...good luck ck :^)...
Posted by: billy | September 14, 2003 at 12:46 PM
Thank you, thank you. I will pass along the supportive words to CK. I am supportive, but I also have an idea of the field, it takes a SPECIAL person to be a nurse, and more so for geriatrics. It is as stressful or more so than, say, natal or neonatal. Professional life expectancy is usually less than five years. It will wear, and beat, you down if you're not the right person.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | September 14, 2003 at 01:50 PM
My oldest sister just retired from a career as a geriatric nurse. There are those of us who simply have the connection, or empathy or temperment to work with older people, and I applaud them. If CK chooses this as her field she will ALWAYS have employment.
If she wishes to make a career change later, what she learns about human nature as a nurse will stand her in good stead. So will the air of authority that will develop over time.
Posted by: Buffy | September 14, 2003 at 03:05 PM