Is Nursing right for me?

Nurses Professionalism

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I was originally planning on going to school to become a journalist because I'm an excellent writer and terrible at math, but that changed to psychology, which has recently changed to nursing. I'm very intrigued with how the human mind works and would like to help people overcome mental illness, so now I am thinking about going to school to become a psychiatric nurse. I'm choosing nursing over psychology now because first off, there are way more opportunities in nursing especially with our economy the way that it is & I need a stable career as I have two children. Also, I've already taken a CNA course but have not applied for licensure yet because I have a juvenile record. However, I am in the process of getting charges expunged and will most likely apply to the board when that finishes (although I am aware that I will still have to inform them). But, because of all of that and the fact that I have two children and am not good at math, I'm not 100% positive this is the way to go, but like I said I'm very interested in Psychiatric Nursing. I'm very determined though and anything I choose to do I will work extremely hard in order to achieve it.

You said that you want to be a psych nurse, because you're intrigued about how the mind works. Please don't forget that you will have to "get your hands dirty" in nursing school, cleaning up bodily waste, starting IVs, inserting ng tubes & foley catheters, and other things that don't relate to psych nursing.

Oh, and at least here in Florida, it's very difficult for new grads to get work...

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

My suggestion to you is, follow your heart! Don't second guess the economy and try to aim at "what would give me jobs" or "where the money is" because none of that will work. If you like psych then go for it because the job market is so uncertain at this point that it really doesn't matter anymore what you choose so go for what you really want. I think you'll have more chances this way because you'll have some passion as fuel in order to look for placement. No passion and you'll become overwhelmed by the difficulties.

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It seems like you really want to explore a career in allied health, at least since you dropped the journalism idea. Probably smart about the journalism, though. If you're not an Editor in chief (not hyphenated, btw), you probably have a second job. :o(

To directly address your question/thread title, "Is nursing right for me?," that's the classic perennial dilemma facing any student. How do you know before you do it? Or better yet, how do you know before you invest the time, money, work, hours away from family, etc?

The good thing about nursing is there are clinicals which basically sends you through everything you WILL be doing in short time. By 3rd semester if you don't think it's for you, get out. There's no nursing student that gets through 5 semesters, passes the NCLEX, gets a job and decides the profession isn't for them. It might eventually happen but that's after several years of practice by which time they've at least bankrolled some income and paid student debt.

Here's the thing, though: Hospitals and health care facilities are wanting higher educated professionals now. LPN/LVN and CNA jobs are being phased out in many areas because of this. I would start knocking out pre-reqs for nursing (RN) school now which will also buy you some time.

The math is NOT difficult; I've done calculus. It's not remedial but it's not difficult either. Nurses aren't routinely required to apply axiomatic set theory as their patient's lives depend on it. That's an aeronautical engineer's job. The pre-req math is the hardest you'll deal with in most schools and it's usually a 100 level course. All other math is relevant to pharmacology, dosing, charting, etc.

As for the children, you'll have the option of night or day classes, but check to make sure. I'm also thinking about psych nursing and the good news is the schooling is the same, except for maybe some quick cert classes you might have to take once you find employment.

As far as finding employment goes, it helps to work as a PCT once you can handle classes and nursing. My cousin was offered a job at his hospital before he even graduated! It helps. Good Luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

What charges are on your juvenile record? That could determine whether the board would even let you become a nurse or a counselor for that matter. I thought if you got the record expunged you wouldn't have to declare it, but I'm not a lawyer, sounds like you need some legal advice on this one. I think it's one thing if it was for shoplifting vs violence or drunk driving, but I'm not an expert. I think you need to get more info re this before you go further in debt for nursing. Also most nursing programs require various math such as algebra and statistics to pass the class as well as science classes like chemistry that are math based!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

There isn't a shortage of nurses. There is a shortage of nurses willing to work at the bedside under the working conditions a lot of facilities put on you.

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You said that you want to be a psych nurse, because you're intrigued about how the mind works. Please don't forget that you will have to "get your hands dirty" in nursing school, cleaning up bodily waste, starting IVs, inserting ng tubes & foley catheters, and other things that don't relate to psych nursing.

Oh, and at least here in Florida, it's very difficult for new grads to get work...

Lol, I haven't forgotten but thanks. I would be willing to do all of that, I think that just learning how too would be rewarding. I actually live in Florida, it definitely seems difficult to get any type of work without experience... I did however have a pharmacy manager who wanted to hire me just by going down to the store to fill out an application (I looked really good and dressed super nice) except I don't have experience so I didn't apply for pharm. I do also have friends and relatives who are nurses or work in health care so I'm sure if I was desperate for a job one of them would be able to help... but ultimately, in my opinion if a job is meant for you, you're going to get it.

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What charges are on your juvenile record? That could determine whether the board would even let you become a nurse or a counselor for that matter. I thought if you got the record expunged you wouldn't have to declare it but I'm not a lawyer, sounds like you need some legal advice on this one. I think it's one thing if it was for shoplifting vs violence or drunk driving, but I'm not an expert. I think you need to get more info re this before you go further in debt for nursing. Also most nursing programs require various math such as algebra and statistics to pass the class as well as science classes like chemistry that are math based![/quote']

The charges that I have are actually grand theft motor vehicle and possession of controlled substance. (I snuck out one night with my mother's car and her prescription medication, she had me arrested). I've consulted with an attorney and have actually called the BON which they said that even if the charges are expunged I would have to list them, and possibly have to write a letter explaining the charges, obtain letters of recommendation, ect. So again not impossible, just more work for me. I would definitely need a tutor, I have that established.. I'm at elementary algebra level right now.

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It seems like you really want to explore a career in allied health, at least since you dropped the journalism idea. Probably smart about the journalism, though. If you're not an Editor in chief (not hyphenated, btw), you probably have a second job. :o(

To directly address your question/thread title, "Is nursing right for me?," that's the classic perennial dilemma facing any student. How do you know before you do it? Or better yet, how do you know before you invest the time, money, work, hours away from family, etc?

The good thing about nursing is there are clinicals which basically sends you through everything you WILL be doing in short time. By 3rd semester if you don't think it's for you, get out. There's no nursing student that gets through 5 semesters, passes the NCLEX, gets a job and decides the profession isn't for them. It might eventually happen but that's after several years of practice by which time they've at least bankrolled some income and paid student debt.

Here's the thing, though: Hospitals and health care facilities are wanting higher educated professionals now. LPN/LVN and CNA jobs are being phased out in many areas because of this. I would start knocking out pre-reqs for nursing (RN) school now which will also buy you some time.

The math is NOT difficult; I've done calculus. It's not remedial but it's not difficult either. Nurses aren't routinely required to apply axiomatic set theory as their patient's lives depend on it. That's an aeronautical engineer's job. The pre-req math is the hardest you'll deal with in most schools and it's usually a 100 level course. All other math is relevant to pharmacology, dosing, charting, etc.

As for the children, you'll have the option of night or day classes, but check to make sure. I'm also thinking about psych nursing and the good news is the schooling is the same, except for maybe some quick cert classes you might have to take once you find employment.

As far as finding employment goes, it helps to work as a PCT once you can handle classes and nursing. My cousin was offered a job at his hospital before he even graduated! It helps. Good Luck.

Thank you so much for the advice, this seems very practical and like a good idea. My biggest concern right now is being able to handle classes, work, tutoring and my children all at once.. I would some how have to figure all of that out, anywho,

I wish you sucess as well!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

[...but seeing how I could do the same thing within nursing & better yet be able to prescribe treatment....]

You cannot prescribe treatment as a nurse.

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[...but seeing how I could do the same thing within nursing & better yet be able to prescribe treatment....]

You cannot prescribe treatment as a nurse.

As a psychiatric nurse I am aware that you can. I know that you cannot prescribe as a registered nurse.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Psych nurses are RNs.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
Psych nurses are RNs.

Apparently that isn't obvious to everyone.

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