How to learn more about the realities of nursing?

Hi all,

I'm a 33 year-old married guy currently working as a web designer. I'm thinking of making a career transition and am intrigued with the idea of becoming a nurse.

I want to find out more about the day-to-day realities of the job. I'm wondering if there are ways to meet with or shadow nurses to find out more about what they do. I'm particularly interested in talking to male nurses about their experiences. Do any of you know if there are opportunities for this? I live in the Sacramento, CA region, if this helps...

Unfortunately, my financial situation doesn't allow me to go the CNA route...

Thanks for any advice you can offer...

I too am 33 and a web programmer- I am doing my prereqs for nursing school right now. I live in San francisco and I called up the hosptial and found out they have a very rigorous volunteer program at General. I applied- it took a while but now i work once a week in the Emergency room as a volunteer workign side by side with doctros and nurses. its fantastic. I think I am really getting a sense of what nurses do (in emergency medicine).

in short I think any hosptial would be happy to have volunteers they are dying for help. Its a great way to see if its what you want to be doing.