[2bNurseNik]

Do you think it's possible to become a successful nurse having no medical background? Most of my pre-reqs are complete and I plan to begin the nursing program Fall 2008 (weekend & evening BSN) but I have no intention of leaving my fulltime job and working as a SNT until my last semester or two of school due to financial reasons. Is there anyone who has become a nurse having never worked in a medical setting and was successful? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

NikNik

[VegRN]

I remember some of the students in my graduating class were concerned about this. One of the students was working as a bartender and couldn't work as a CNA because it just didn't pay enough for her to get by. The instructor was supportive and said that she shouldn't be concerned about it as it wasn't a concern of a lot of employers. The instructor had lots of experience as a nurse manager.
I also know of students that didn't work until they graduated because they didn't need the money (their parents payed all of their bills) and as far as I know they were all hired quickly.
I also know of a nursing student that completed the 1 year RN program (she had a bachelors in something else) and didn't have previous medical experience.
I think future employers may ask you about this and you should be prepared to answer. However, I know of many successful nurses who didn't have been in your situation and have had no problem getting a job.

[SharonH, RN]

Originally Posted by NikNik

Do you think it's possible to become a successful nurse having no medical background? Most of my pre-reqs are complete and I plan to begin the nursing program Fall 2008 (weekend & evening BSN) but I have no intention of leaving my fulltime job and working as a SNT until my last semester or two of school due to financial reasons. Is there anyone who has become a nurse having never worked in a medical setting and was successful? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

NikNik

NO medical background is necessary to become a nurse. That is what your training and education is for. You do not need to work as a CNA, NA, MA, NT, or SNT to be a successful nurse. Period. Those titles are not a prerequisite or a stepping stone to nursing, the focus is different. Yes it will be uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first but you will learn.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yep. I did so. I was a supply systems analyst in the US Air Force when I got out and went to school on my GI Bill. I had no medical background at all. 10 years after graduating RN school, it's going GREAT!!!

Go for it!

[TheCommuter]

It is possible to become a good nurse without a background in the medical field. Most successful nurses had no medical background to speak of. Good luck with your aspriations and dreams!

[2bNurseNik]

Thanks a lot for all of your information, it does put me at ease. I'm taking A&P II and when the instructor lectures, a few of the students (who currently work in the medical field) are able to relate certain facts to their jobs or they just comprehend a lot quicker than me. That makes me feel like I won't do as well as them when it's time to do clinicals.

[rita359]

Go for it. Some medical experience may introduce one to some terms or procedures but it isn't anything you can't learn. Someone with some medical experience may be initially more comfortable in clinicals but it won't keep an eager student long to catch up.

[santhony44]

When I first went to nursing school, I had rarely even visited anyone in the hospital and had never been a patient!

That was almost 24 years ago and I'm still a nurse. Getting some experience is no reason to give up a full time job in anothe field unless the money doesn't matter, and you've said it does.

If this is what you want to do then you will, and do well. Good luck!

[jannrn]

Well, here is a bit of an analogy because it reminds me of it. I remember thinking that the students in my OB class that already had children had such an advantage since they had already been through it! But no matter, for us women if we have children, we all have to experience it for a first time, no one can give us thier experience.... we have to do it ourselves. Even when you get out there after all the nursing training, there will be things even those with prior medical experience have never seen nor experienced before! The learning and exposure to new things is on-going and never stops!

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by SharonH, RN

NO medical background is necessary to become a nurse. That is what your training and education is for. You do not need to work as a CNA, NA, MA, NT, or SNT to be a successful nurse. Period. Those titles are not a prerequisite or a stepping stone to nursing, the focus is different. Yes it will be uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first but you will learn.

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

I had no medical background when I went back to school at 38 for my RN. I was even encouraged NOT to take a CNA class by my mentor, an RN with a Master's Degree who had also taught in a nursing school.

Almost everyone who goes off to college from high school has no background in the area they wish to major in. So, it is normal.

Best wishes - steph