Opened My Letter W/ a Pit in My Stomach

kats · Mar 24, 2004

Do you have time to volunteer somewhere or shadow a nurse before having to make a decision? That would be helpful. (I have to say though that I am a bit jealous of your problem. The schools around here are so competitive that one I applied to last semester didn't take anybody with less than a 3.9 gpa.) Anyways, maybe making a list of pros and cons of working as a nurse might help. I hope you can come to a conclusion that you are happy with. Let us know what you decide.

studentdeb · Mar 24, 2004

I have a dilemma. I was secretly hoping I would not get accepted into the nursing program I applied to so that I would not have to decide if I wanted to do it or not. But, I got a fat envelope yesterday with the acceptence letter and all the info. I dont know what to do. I dont know if nursing is for me, but I cannot think of anything else I want to do. I hate business type stuff and I dont want a biology degree because i dont want to do research all the time. So, i asked my husband what he honestly thought about me being a nurse. Big mistake. He said he would rather me not do it because he's worried I'll be too stressed doing it and be treated poorly by patients and doctors. I need some suggestions.......I dont have clue what to do, but I have to do something because quitting college is not an option. And I want to do something....

Prairiegirl

I can totally relate. I was hoping I wouldn't get a letter also because I am so undecided right now, but my letter came a few weeks ago. I am going through the same as you. I asked my husband and he does't think I should go either for many reasons. I am interested in Social Work also and wondering if that is the route to go. I am graduating in May with my Associate of Arts degree and can move on for the Bachelors.

Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one.

RedSox33RN · Mar 24, 2004

How much time do you have to decide? I think shadowing a nurse for a while is a great idea. It is a tough decision to make, and from what I've heard, the schooling itself as well as the job can be very stressful. Maybe it's not for you. Don't feel bad if you decide not to. It's your life, and you should be happy with whatever you decide.

Frankly, if you WEREN'T excited to get the letter, than maybe you've already answered your own question. I know that I dreaded NOT getting a thick letter, because I knew what the thin one meant. If you can't muster up any sort of excitment for it, then maybe the spot should go to someone that really, really knows this is what they want. I don't want to make you feel badly at all, but if you're this apprehensive right now, it may not be for you.

I wish for you peace in deciding what you really, really want. Life is too short not to be happy with what you are doing! :)

Energizer Bunny · Mar 24, 2004

How much time do you have to decide? I think shadowing a nurse for a while is a great idea. It is a tough decision to make, and from what I've heard, the schooling itself as well as the job can be very stressful. Maybe it's not for you. Don't feel bad if you decide not to. It's your life, and you should be happy with whatever you decide.
Frankly, if you WEREN'T excited to get the letter, than maybe you've already answered your own question. I know that I dreaded NOT getting a thick letter, because I knew what the thin one meant. If you can't muster up any sort of excitment for it, then maybe the spot should go to someone that really, really knows this is what they want. I don't want to make you feel badly at all, but if you're this apprehensive right now, it may not be for you.
I wish for you peace in deciding what you really, really want. Life is too short not to be happy with what you are doing! :)

Funny, my thin one was an acceptance, but I think that is because I had already gone there before. Anyways, I kind of think like wannaBEanRN too that if you weren't excited, maybe you already answered your own question. For me, I couldn't wait because it is all I have ever really wanted to do.

youknowho · Mar 24, 2004

Just my 2cents...Make sure you are sure before you agree to go because you could be taking a spot from someone who wants to be an RN more than anything. Nursing is not for everyone and its a tough decision. Good luck.:)

prairiegirl · Mar 24, 2004

Thanks for all the advice. I have 2 weeks to notify the nursing department if I want to hold my place. It is not that I dont want to be a nurse, I guess I am just scared. And really it isnt that big of a deal. My husband works and makes the money, so basically I can do whatever I want. And I plan to stay at home anyways once we have little ones. I hate to not do it though because then I am giving up the past two years of hard work to get here. I had an idea that I might go with. I could go ahead and get my BSN and alongside take chemistry and physics to complete my pre-reqs for physical therapy school so I can apply if I do not enjoy nursing. Too many decisions! Does anybody else have fears about nursing such as getting an infectious disease, geting stuck by a needle, or having a crazy patient attack you? It think I think too much about the negatives that dont happen every day instead of the rewarding part you see most days.

Thanks all for the advice.

dsczephyr · Mar 24, 2004

I couldn't agree more with RN2be408. Spots in nursing school are very hard to come by and there are people who want more than anything to be one of those who get in. I have been a nurse for nearly a year now and while it's been worth it, there was tremendous sacrifice involved: 18 hour study days, incredible stress, exhaustion, no time for friends, family, or cleaning house, etc. You have to really want it to make that kind of sacrifice - and keep making it week after week, month after month.

So - if your heart sunk when you saw the fat acceptance letter. you need to figure what that is really telling you. There are career counseling services available at every college. They can help you figure out what fields are out there that put a sparkle in your eye and make you feel excited. I hope things work out well for you.

LPN-n-2005 · Mar 25, 2004

please please listen to your intuition or gut feeling. i thought i wanted to be a nurse but after working in a hospital and getting my feet wet i lost interest and my heart was not into it after 6 months working as a Patient care technician. i am now back working retail and going to school to be dental assistant then a dental hygientist and couldn't be happier about my decision!!!!

irishrose53 · Mar 27, 2004

Most of nursing students I know (myself included) feel it's a vocation. Like being a nun or or a pre-school teacher. It's a calling. It's something I HAVE to do. It's something you dream about since childhood. I was afraid to open the letter in case I had been rejected. I can't even imagine how your feeling. I agree with the previos post. If you aren't sure-give up the seat. There are people out there DYING to get your spot. :rolleyes:

RNSuzq1, RN · Mar 27, 2004

Most of nursing students I know (myself included) feel it's a vocation. Like being a nun or or a pre-school teacher. It's a calling. It's something I HAVE to do. It's something you dream about since childhood. I was afraid to open the letter in case I had been rejected. I can't even imagine how your feeling. I agree with the previos post. If you aren't sure-give up the seat. There are people out there DYING to get your spot.

I agree with Irishrose - to me and most of those I know trying to get into a school - Nursing is a Vocation (we truly feel a calling to do this). I've wanted this since my days as a Candy Striper in high school years ago and finally have a chance to pursue this dream of mine and hope more than "anything" that I'm accepted for this Fall. As Irish said - if you have doubts - give up your seat for someone who is truly DYING to do this... :)

mrs/mom/rn · Mar 27, 2004

When I was young I volunteered as a candy striper. as I brought in a tray to an elderly woman she was pulling out her ivs and shouting "I want to die" I almost passed out. for a long time after, every time I walked into hospital or nursing home I would get nauseous. I always knew I wanted to work with people, but I never felt I had a calling untill I was older.