I'm 33 years old and I live in Las Vegas. Currently I'm a paid caregiver for my disabled Mom. I'm strongly considering going into nursing as a career at some point. I feel that this would be a profession that I would be very good at and I would be helping people. Basically I've been a caregiver my whole life. For many years I was taking care of my ailing and disabled Dad (whose health was gradually destroyed by toxic chemicals he was exposed to on a daily basis while working in a semiconductor plant) and when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2020 my Mom and I took care of him until he died in October of that year, I would gave him tube feedings through a feeding tube and eventually in his last month of life I had to inject syringes of morphine and lorazepam (given in a refrigerated metal box by the hospice organization) orally under his tongue every two hours all day every day or he would be in utter agony. It took me a long time to recover mentally and physically after he passed away. Then a few years after that my Mom's health began to deteriorate due to uncontrollable high blood pressure, surviving COVID-19 twice, and some bad falls she suffered, so I've been caregiving for her now. Even as a kid I would help my Dad (long before he lost his health) take care of my elderly Grandpa who was living with us after he suffered a stroke at the time, I was like a little nurse. So I feel that nursing would probably be perfect for me because of my lifelong caregiving experience. I've had a ton of experience wiping butts, cleaning up puke, lifting a person on/off the toilet, tube feedings, etc. It wasn't until recently that I even considered nursing, I used to make music and a while back I even toyed with filmmaking and writing, but over a year ago I gave all that stuff up completely after losing passion for it all. I no longer have any real hobbies so I could really devote my time and give my full 100 percent. I know the healthcare system in Las Vegas pretty much sucks ass, but maybe I could make a difference and make a decent living at the same time. I would be helping people. So any pointers, advice, or pros + cons of nursing from your experience would be appreciated. Thank you!   submitted by   /u/OuterRim777 [link]   [comments]