Hot Tip -- by Joe Cameron

So, you love watching old ER reruns, and based on this, you have decided to become a nurse. Reality check: ER is a TV show about a group of doctors and nurses working in an emergency room and still managing to go through heaps of drama, fall in love, get married, get brain tumours or get stabbed.

Perhaps before becoming a registered nurse it may be good to ask yourself: "What is it really like?" What's portrayed on ER is far from reality. Becoming familiar with the environment is important before committing yourself to something you may not enjoy -- not to mention being a few years in debt from paying for school. You may want to first volunteer in a hospital or nursing home to get some first-hand experience and insight.

Here is a brief idea of the reality most nurses face. The pace is hectic and the job intense, so physical and mental stress is to be expected. A sense of humour and a truckload of patience will help you cope on those crazy days. Nurses are pulled in many directions throughout their workday. One minute they may be consulting with a doctor, the next, responding to a patient's call button. Comfortable shoes are a must because nurses spend hours on their feet, sometimes 12-hour shifts, day or night! Most work weekends and holidays too.

OK, after all that is said and done, you're still interested in becoming a nurse. Awesome. We need you. There is a major shortage of nurses across Canada that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The pay is good, the work is rewarding, and adventure/travel is always an option. Now what?

Post-secondary is a must, be it a two-year diploma or a four-year degree. You can weigh the pros and cons of each and consider your life situation. There are many reasons to pursue a degree including increasing your earning potential, boosting your job search success and more opportunities for promotion. Fortunately, many colleges and universities have formed collaborative programs to offer you more flexibility. For example, degree programs may allow students to exit after two years at the diploma level. You may want to keep in mind that nursing associations across the country are pushing to make a four-year nursing degree mandatory beginning in 2005.

Also, do some occupational research and choose which type of nursing that fits best for you. Registered nurses work in many different areas with many different kinds of patients so try and determine what area might work for you. If you like working with kids and dealing with their families, then working on a ward that treats senior citizens may not be the place you want to land.

While ER does sometimes capture the hectic nature of working in a hospital, by following some of the ideas listed above you will be better-able to base the decision to become a nurse on facts, not fiction. By the way, on this week's episode there will be an epidemic, new love, a quarantine and an evacuation that goes horribly awry. Imagine, all that during one work shift!

(Joe Cameron is practicum student at the Calgary Youth Employment Centre.)