I am wanting to go into the nursing field. I want to get my BSN, I am currently working on my AA in business. My ultimate goal is to open a clinic for domestic violence victims who are either in a shelter or using shelter services. Knowing from experience that when you leave, you often don't have the money to afford or the means to obtain general medical care.
When you said that nurses don't make an impact on patients, I disagree. While I was 36 weeks pregnant, I went in to the ER then transfered to OB for horrendous pain that was causing me to have contractions. My nurse, Theresa, figured out that I was having gall bladder attacks, no one listened to her; the dr thought I was having false labor. Turns out it was both. Once my attack calmed down the contractions stopped. Fast forward 4 weeks. I was back at the hospital, only this time it was active labor. I was blessed to get the nurse who "dx" my gall bladder problem a month earlier. Theresa was the absolute best nurse I had during my stay. She would come in and help me with everything. My little girl had some minor problems coming into the world, and I had some minor problems after too. (I spiked a fever a few hours after delivery.) Theresa told me to ask for her specifically when I called the station. One time, she was doing her time in the nursery and came as soon as she could. She wanted to be the one who helped me. This was all almost 9 years ago, and I still remember her name and what she looked like. I had other nurses during my stay, but don't remember a thing about any of them.
I tell you this because nurses are remembered and do make a difference in patient's lives. Go for your RN! Go make a difference.