Are you Smart enough to be a Nurse?

[ImKosher]

I wanted to share an experience with those interested.

I was working in clinicals passing out dinner trays, when a CNA pulled me to the side and asked me if I was going to school. I replied "Yes, I'm in the RN program". She looked and said "You need to be smart to go to RN school". I was bothered by what she had said. I could read on her face showing that she isn't smart enough for NS. So here's my opinion:

Smart in literal terms means that your are intelligently gifted...right? I don't believe that is right, people have made that word for those who have acheived something that they did not.

"Your smart, that's why you made it, I'm dumb".

There are no Dummies. There are no Smarties. There are those who were determined enough to become what they wanted to become. You and others are labeling people as smart, because they are getting things done for themselves. They're becoming Doctors, RN's, CRNA's, and NP's. Those are the smart ones? Just because your a CNA doesn't mean your dumb. If you want to become an RN what is stopping you?

Many argue that they can't study "smart" enough. If you can pick up a book and read, you can do it. You just need to find your "click". In time after trying many things you will learn what is your gifted way of learning. Some read, some watch, some draw,and some speak. Only trial and error will reveal to your gifts.

I want to change the definition of "smart". Are you Smart enough to be a Nurse? I'm going to write a couple of phrases replacing smart.

-Are you Passionate enough to become a Nurse?

-Are you Patient enough to become a Nurse?

-Are you Persistent enough to become a Nurse?

-Are you Driven enough to become a Nurse?

-Are you Disciplined enough to become a Nurse?

Many people have obstacles to become a Nurse. Finance, families, jobs, and many others. These obstacles tend to succeed in stopping us in our tracks. This is called "life". It's another topic for a forum.

If your reading this, I hope this inspires, strengthens, and renews your energy to continue pursuing your goals whatever stage in your career you are in. You don't need to be smart enough. You are Smart.

[ImKosher]

I got two C's in my pre-req's. I had panic attacks nearly every day until I figured out a back up plan if I didn't get into a nursing program. It's stressful! I don't think I'm the smartest, but you're kidding yourself if you think you don't need to have some sort of traditional intelligence and successfully get through nursing school. The prerequisites are difficult and the actual nursing courses are even more so. Nursing is the most difficult and most demanding undergrad major. Even if you actually do get into a program (which means you have to have had some sort of intellect in order to pass pre-req classes) there's a very high likelihood that you could fail out. All it takes is a 76% in one class and you're out of the ADN program.

Yes persistence and perseverance is vital to nursing school, but not just anybody could get into nursing. Out of about 500 applicants only 45 get in.

I think if you're smart enough to get into and complete a nursing program, I think you should be able to apply to all the MD and DO schools you want and get into a few of them (that is if you really couldn't stand nursing anymore)! Most people don't go into nursing wanting to be doctors and a lot of "pre-med" students who feel that they can't become doctors go the lawyer route (it's the trend I've seen with friends). They don't even consider PA or NP because they don't want anything to do with the medical field if they can't be the ones in charge.

If you want to tell people that they can't get into nursing programs that they didn't try hard enough, then go for it. I personally think it's pretty cruel to not tell the truth in this instance, but whatever floats your boat!

Of course intelligence is required, but I believe that it is the "result and product" of your trials and obstacles while knocking out the pre-reqs for school and getting admitted into Nursing School. Of course, because it's competitive, you need to take tests to make the cut. It's going to be difficult, but we can't scare off those who may have the talent to become a nurse.

This is my opinion. Since humans have developed a brain there was always a problem. As humans we naturally search a solution. (P) Cold and Dark = (S) Fire. To this day we are presented problems, and with those problems we need to find solutions. This is how we progress. If we do not find this solution, we become stagnant and more problems arise. My point is that, Nursing School is a problem with MANY more problems. you need to find solutions to become successful. If your failing class, you need to find a tutor. If your not passing the entrance exam, you need to study.

Intelligence is the direct product of finding these solutions through determination.

I still believe and stand for the nclex. There needs to be a standard test. My point is that any student has the capability to be able to pass the nclex.

[jgummy]

So true ! Thanks for sharing this post @ImKosher !

[Stephalump]

It's never occurred to me that I'm not "smart enough" for any profession. I've been concerned about my time management skills, my other responsibilities, and my commitment when considering career paths, but never my intelligence. I'm fully confident in that area. There are certain fields I would struggle more in than others (like my engineering example), but those careers have never appealed to me.

I understand the whole "childhood dream" aspect of things. I wanted to be a rock star growing up. Too bad I'm only a mediocre singer and that level of fame would be brutal on me. Children typically dream of being the figures they're exposed to most growing up - doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. So the world is FULL of dreamers who's skill sets and realities very well may not be the right match for the job. Why else would AN be inundated with posters who HATE science but have a passion for nursing? How many math haters are desperate to become accountants?

Compassionate people flock to nursing, and that's fine, but we're not professional huggers. We have to be able to grasp complex ideas, think quickly, perform clinical skills flawlessly, and save lives. That's not in the cards for everyone. I'm sorry, but it's just not. Considering I haven't graduated yet, I'm not even sure it's in the cards for ME, much less every other nursely dreamer out there.

[navylynn]

[RyzenRN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

I do think it takes a certain level of intelligence, but more so, it takes someone that's willing to study and learn and unlike so many young students that go to school, being serious about it.

Motivation has much to do with it and people have many different types of motivations.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

No. Not just any idiot with a dream can be a nurse. And the fact that we're dumbing down nursing everyday is what is killing any respect we have from other healthcare professionals and our patients. There are hospitals where we can't even be trusted to put a hot pack on a patient without an order. There are people trying to claim we shouldn't be allowed to flush an IV without an order.

Yes. You'll need an understanding of math. You'll need a huge understanding of science. Hopefully you'll be smart enough not to start spouting off some stupid thing you read on the internet.

Some people just don't get math. When you have a question like, "The patient needs 8mg, the pills are available in 4mg, how many pills will the patient get?" it SCARES me that you'll possibly be practicing next to me giving who knows what kind of doses of medications to your patients.

If you barely passed A&P, chemistry and patho, it scares me that you'll possibly be taking care of me.

If you can't pass NCLEX, which is BARE MINIMUM what you need to practice as a nurse, it scares me that you'll possibly be taking care of my family.

If you don't have the common sense to know that some ridiculous thing you read on the internet just might not be true, it scares me to think you might actually have a drivers license.

Nursing just might not be in the cards for someone. Not because they don't try hard enough, but because they might just not be smart enough.

I'm not smart enough to be a rocket scientist. There's no shame in that. I'm not a good enough singer to win American Idol, no matter how determined I am and how many times I might try out. There's no shame in that. Some people aren't smart enough to be nurses. There's no shame in that.

I'm smart enough to be a nurse, but I worked as a unit secretary for a while. I sucked at it. Sucked. HARD. There's no shame in that.

It takes MORE than a desire to help someone to be a nurse. It takes more than caring. You mean well, but it's insulting nurses and disingenuous to say just anyone can do it if only they try hard enough.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

we're not professional huggers

LOVE THIS.

[Aongroup1990, CNA]

you couldnt have said it any better.... I hate when people put lables on things.... Some people aren't doctors and have more knowledge and common sense than a man with a title of M.D.

[grpman]

The converse of your argument is that entry into the profession doesn't take intelligence or scruples. I do like your sentiment, but I respectfully disagree.

I would like to think there is a happy medium between dumb and genius that gives us a threshold into nursing making it a respectable career.

[CNA1991, CNA]

Beautifully written, your words are inspiring!

[ImKosher]

No. Not just any idiot with a dream can be a nurse. And the fact that we're dumbing down nursing everyday is what is killing any respect we have from other healthcare professionals and our patients. There are hospitals where we can't even be trusted to put a hot pack on a patient without an order. There are people trying to claim we shouldn't be allowed to flush an IV without an order.

Yes. You'll need an understanding of math. You'll need a huge understanding of science. Hopefully you'll be smart enough not to start spouting off some stupid thing you read on the internet.

Some people just don't get math. When you have a question like, "The patient needs 8mg, the pills are available in 4mg, how many pills will the patient get?" it SCARES me that you'll possibly be practicing next to me giving who knows what kind of doses of medications to your patients.

If you barely passed A&P, chemistry and patho, it scares me that you'll possibly be taking care of me.

If you can't pass NCLEX, which is BARE MINIMUM what you need to practice as a nurse, it scares me that you'll possibly be taking care of my family.

If you don't have the common sense to know that some ridiculous thing you read on the internet just might not be true, it scares me to think you might actually have a drivers license.

Nursing just might not be in the cards for someone. Not because they don't try hard enough, but because they might just not be smart enough.

I'm not smart enough to be a rocket scientist. There's no shame in that. I'm not a good enough singer to win American Idol, no matter how determined I am and how many times I might try out. There's no shame in that. Some people aren't smart enough to be nurses. There's no shame in that.

I'm smart enough to be a nurse, but I worked as a unit secretary for a while. I sucked at it. Sucked. HARD. There's no shame in that.

It takes MORE than a desire to help someone to be a nurse. It takes more than caring. You mean well, but it's insulting nurses and disingenuous to say just anyone can do it if only they try hard enough.

How is this insulting? Look how many people benefited alone from this. Now I think this would be different if I started advertising on Facebook "Come fun, Come all" but this is on AN. There's is no shame to share an idea or thought.

I'm sorry you don't agree, but I'll inlude you on the pedestal.

Here's your line "Thou not any idiot with any dream can be worthy of thy title nurse. Thou shall not pass!"

I'll get some que cards ready for you!

[nursel56]

I still believe and stand for the nclex. There needs to be a standard test. My point is that any student has the capability to be able to pass the nclex.

Sadly, this is not true. In fact, I've seen people damaged more by that attitude because they feel like they are failing the cheering squad if they at some point stop going around and around, taking expensive review courses and flipping out over how their family and friends might react if they at some point decide to stop the madness. Some people actually need permission to change direction and find that thing they have aptitude and a genuine feeling of fulfillment from.

If one of these people manages to squeak by the stress doesn't end there, and a difficulty grasping nursing concepts while trying to learn all the other stress-inducing things that come with a new job makes people feel like they're going down for the third time. And they still need to explain that to their Aunt Vivian - only it's much worse by that point - because they bought into the idea that any student has the capability to pass the nclex.