Negative feedback about going to nursing school

[LauraLou]

I am really excited about nursing school. I have been working full time and taking prereq's at night, but starting in January I will be going to school full time.

I naively thought everyone would be really happy for me and supportive of me changing careers to become a nurse. The reactions have been quite different.

When I told my mother, she didn't say anything for a moment and then said "That's the last thing I ever thought you would do. Why don't you become a travel agent instead?" Travel agent????

My dad said "You never did well in science in high school. Why do you want to study something you're not good at?"

My friends were really enthusiastic about me going back to school until they found out I was going to nursing school. They are saying things like "What about all the blood and nasty stuff you will have to touch. How gross!"

Luckily my husband is super supportive and really wants me to do this. But I am shocked and hurt that everyone else is so negative. What's wrong with being a nurse? It's not like I'm quitting my job to become a topless dancer!

Going back to school will be a challenge and I was hoping I would get lots of support from my friends and family. Instead, I have stopped talking about school with them because it makes me feel bad.

Has anyone else gotten a lot of negative feedback when they told people they want to be a nurse?

[kimtab]

Sure, but I think my family was just surprised by my choice. My first degree was in Art after all, and I never did show any medical leanings before. They have all been nothing but supportive since I started taking classes. Once they knew I was serious, they all got behind me. Hopefully that will be your experience too.

Kim

[Peeps Mcarthur]

Here's a twist on that.

My father is dissapointed that I decided not to continue with nursing school.:chuckle

I'm looking into becoming a PA, and he thinks I've given up nursing to go to medical school:rolleyes:

I'm sure I'll get, "so, PA huh. Why do you want to be a medical assisstant? You could go to nursing school.

I think we're all predisposed to dissapoint our parents or somthing like that. If you could just manage to live up to your own expectations, you'll do fine.

[nessa1982]

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL

I've gotten, "You're so smart, why don't you become a doctor?",

I get that one too, esp from teachers, (e.g my engl teacher this semester nad my history teacher a few semesters ago). Um, hello if I got my BSN I could still go to medical school and Im not good at math anyway and I dont know if I willing to spen 8 years of my life in full time school! I would much rather do my education one step at a time.

Most people seem pretty postive about my choice but I hate it when people want to tell me otherwise. Ive been waiting on my colleges RN waitilst for 1 1/2 years I'm not backing down now!

I figure even if I hate it (which I probably wont anyway) I can alsways do something else later.

Plus I think I could use my RN to help me pay my way through my future education.

I'm so freakin excited about starting my RN classes next semester!!!

[thatldo]

Tell your mom a travel agent is a thankless, meaningless stressful job.

You get blamed for the weather, cancelled flights, no rental cars, declined credit cards, no seats together on flights, oversold hotels, the price of tickets, ETC!

I really enjoy helping people, so thought what better place than to help those truly in need, and where if I don't get thanked, that's ok. I don't need a thanks, I have a heart.

Good luck with you!

[leslieRN2B]

I am sorry that you have so little support from your family and friends. Thank goodness you husband supports you. I just finished my first semester of nursing school and a girl in my class dropped out after only a few weeks because her husband didn't want her to go to school. The best advice I can give you is to make lots of friends in your nusing class, those people will be your "family" for the length of your program. You will find lots of support and people that understand you and what you are going through. Follow your heart and do not let anyone divert you from what you truly want to do, you will be the one that has to actually work the job you choose, not the neigh sayers. I am thoroughly enjoying nursing school and of you are meant to be a nusre, you will too. It takes lots of heard work and dedication to be successful. Good luck and let us know how things are going!

[MIKEY LIKES]

Laura Lou, I've worked in the travel industry before and thatIdo is right, it's the pits. But you prob. know that already. Oddly enough, no one has said why nursing or go to med school. I even know a Dr. who said go for it becuase he is trying to convince his son even to go into the profession. SO how about that! :)

[camkib]

You all are so right...I've had alot of people try to discourage me...teachers, family, friends. But I just let it go in one ear and out the other. I know what I want and I'm determined to become an RN.

[LauraLou]

I spent Christmas with my family and I think my excitement about school finally got through to them. They actually asked a few questions and seemed to better understand why I am doing this.

My husband's family is much more supportive. His aunt told me over Christmas that she thought I would make a wonderful nurse. It made me feel so good when she said that.

I know becoming a nurse is what I am meant to do. The last time I felt so strongly that something was right for me was when I married my husband. That has worked out wonderfully and I know nursing will too.

I feel so positive about my life and the steps I am taking to make something more of it. It's the first time in a long time that I have felt this good about myself.

I wish everyone the best this semester!

[TheBrainMusher]

I'm glad things worked out and I wish you the best. I am hoping for a more positive response from my family as I get closer to entering nursing school. Maybe I can make them see that this is something I truly want to do, first I have to make sure I want to do it! LOL!

[Vmommyx4_RN]

I heard alot of negative stuff too when I dumbly told everyone I met I was going back to school to be a nurse.

Luckily, my family was very supportive. At least your husband is supportive, he really counts, and when you feel really down or someone has said something crappy,

COME TO US!!!! We will be supportive!!

Good Luck!!!