Is nursing "really" for me?

[texasmommy]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the boards here. I am a 23-yr-old stay-at-home mom with the opportunity to begin college at this point in my life. I have had the desire to pursue nursing as a career for several years now, but the chance never presented itself until recently. I love to take care of people, spend time with others, and consider "mothering" to be one of my greatest strengths (I am blessed with three little ones). I am also academically intelligent, but less so in mathematics than in the area of the humanities. My "fears" in pursuing a career as a nurse are that I won't be able to pass the mathematical/chemistry-type courses (are they really impossible? I've heard such horror stories!), and that I would encounter situations that would cause my emotions to come into play (such as death or extreme suffering, which are inevitable in the medical profession). I don't feel that my emotions would incapacitate me in terms of work quality, but I am not sure I would be able to completely subdue them in every situation. Does nursing require that one (for lack of a better word) "conquer" her emotions for the sake of professionalism? Or is the human element of nursing what separates it from other careers? I'm sorry if this was a rambling post - I just wanted to get the ideas out on "paper." Thanks so much for your replies and even more so for your amazing work.

[showbizrn]

You have both reservations and strong desires to pursue nursing.

YOU have to make the decision.

How badly do you want to be a nurse? Really.

Any profession worth pursuing takes hard work, perseverence and angst to go with it.

YES---like dealing with DEATH AND DYING in nursing. We take care of people and pre-birth, birth, life, and death all come with the package.

Think you can stomach it, Nurse?

Welcome to Nursing!

:welcome:

[RNDreamer]

don't be like me and let science classes keep your from pursuing nursing...now I'm back in school taking these same classes and passing them with minimums of Bs. Chemistry a nightmare? I can't see how unless you are horrible in math....I would suggest volunteering at a hospital or shadowing a nurse if possible. Take care and good luck making your decision.

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the boards here. I am a 23-yr-old stay-at-home mom with the opportunity to begin college at this point in my life. I have had the desire to pursue nursing as a career for several years now, but the chance never presented itself until recently. I love to take care of people, spend time with others, and consider "mothering" to be one of my greatest strengths (I am blessed with three little ones). I am also academically intelligent, but less so in mathematics than in the area of the humanities. My "fears" in pursuing a career as a nurse are that I won't be able to pass the mathematical/chemistry-type courses (are they really impossible? I've heard such horror stories!), and that I would encounter situations that would cause my emotions to come into play (such as death or extreme suffering, which are inevitable in the medical profession). I don't feel that my emotions would incapacitate me in terms of work quality, but I am not sure I would be able to completely subdue them in every situation. Does nursing require that one (for lack of a better word) "conquer" her emotions for the sake of professionalism? Or is the human element of nursing what separates it from other careers? I'm sorry if this was a rambling post - I just wanted to get the ideas out on "paper." Thanks so much for your replies and even more so for your amazing work.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

The math is nothing more than *very* basic algebra and usually just simple arithmetic. You'll have no problem at all.

The emotions, now - I have to say, my first six months in nursing had my heart breaking every day. You do come to terms, though, with how much suffering you see, and learn how to handle it. It's hard, though, for a sensitive person to adjust. But you do.