[adh_09]

I've been considering possible careers for when I graduate high school and nursing always seems to be in the back of my mind. While hospitals aren't my favorite places in the world, they sort of give me a rush being around all that technology and knowing that the nurses and doctors have the training to give back life is so fascinating. I always made good biology grades and enjoyed my science courses. Blood and vomit doesn't really bother me (stool a little bit but I can get over it). So here's my dilemma, I'm afraid I wouldn't have the technical skills (starting IVs, catheters, etc). My sister is a nurse and amazes me with her skills to do that kind of stuff, but while I would have the book smarts and bed side manner part down pat, I worry I might not have the technical skill. Also some parts of nursing I believe would bore me. For example surgery and ICU sound very intresting and exciting, but nursing homes I just don't think I could do (nothing personally to nuring home nurses- just not for me). Well I know that was a long post but any replies would be appreciated. Thanks and have a wonderful day!

[illidan01]

How can you have the " technical skill" until you have been trained? That would be putting the cart before the horse. You cannot find one thing in life that is 100% perfect, so have doubt - it is normal. I say go for it, and try out the prerequistes to see if you might be interested. You will NEVER know until you try!

[danaRN2b]

I had no experience in the medical field before beginning nursing school & was also worried about being able to do the technical stuff, but that's what school is for. You'll be walked through all the procedures on paper, then you get to practice on a nice little dummy , then when you try it for the first time on a person, your instructor will be right there beside you. You may not be perfect at first, or even after a few tries, but that's okay! The more you do a task, the easier it gets.

As for what areas of nursing may or may not be boring...sometimes you'll be surprised. I had ideas in my head when I started about what areas I thought I would love & hate, and it all changed once I did clinical rotations in those areas. Thought I would love OB/L&D (since I have four kids & spent a lot of time in this area--haha!), but I did not enjoy it in the slightest. I thought I would hate our psychiatric nursing rotation & was terrified of doing it, but it turned out to be my favorite clinical time. I also discovered an unknown affinity for cardiac nursing. Who knew?!

Nursing is a great field & there are so many options...best of luck to you & hope you join the ranks soon!

Dana

[jb2u]

i believe the most important aspect of nursing is the bedside manner. the technical stuff can be learned, but i believe, for the most part, you either have a good bedside manner or you don't.

i think you should go for it! you may find yourself being the person everyone goes to for the "hard sticks." Yes, some people have a talent at the technical stuff, but you may be one of them. Michael Jordan would not be the basketball wonder he is if he would have never touched a basketball, right?

best of luck and remember, one of the great things about nursing is the MANY different avenues you can take. you can do research work, case work, legal nursing, sales, management, etc...etc...etc. just find what works for YOU!!!

wishing you the best,
jay

[gogatsby]

Originally Posted by jb2u

Michael Jordan would not be the basketball wonder he is if he would have never touched a basketball, right?

And let us not forget that Michael Jordan got cut from his high school basketball team! If someone was wrong about him, then there has to be hope for the rest of us!

[3rdgenRN2B]

Never underestimate what you can and can't do. I don't think anyone new the "technical skills" involved in nursing before going to school-that's what clinicals and labs are for!!! However, since you do have questions, maybe you could look into shadowing a nurse at a local hospital to see if it might be for you. I didn't know I wanted to do it right out of high school......
it took me 10 years and a few different jobs to figure it out.

However, I don't think any part of nursing would be considered "boring"

Good Luck!!!