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.

[Stephalump]

If that was the case, I wouldn't have been scrutinized for my choice of words. With plenty overanalyzing the point of the post, many are taking this further then it was really intended. I was disappointed to find myself putting more effot into defending my stance then rather conversating with other students trying to get into the program of their choice.

You know my main point but you chose to say that "smart" is needed, you've completely missed my opinion that I believe we have used the wrong wording. you chose to attack that assumption stating that you need a smart person to stick people with needles, which you have missed the whole point and purpose.

I don't believe there's any wrong in taking an idea further than originally intended. If you oversimplify things, certain people are going to notice and make note of the complexities. Ideas are going to grow from your original idea, whether they be in opposition or promotion. Roots and motivations are going to be dug up for observation and analysis.

That's how we grow, modify, and test our beliefs as human beings - once we looked at ALL sides of the situation, can we still stand by what we believe? If not, perhaps we should discard and start all over again.

This is a discussion board. While I'm sure our egos would prefer responses to our thoughts be "Omg, you're so right and awesome!" that isn't reality. You are not a nurse. You are not an educator. You are not an intelligence researcher. There's nothing wrong with that, but I would think those facts alone would be enough to accept that you are speaking from limited experience and you COULD BE wrong. Shoot, I could be wrong in 99% of what I say on this board, and I'll gladly admit it. :)

[ImKosher]

All of this is just a distraction from the root of the disagreement. Not one person claimed to be the bar by which every other potential nurse is measured. YOU created that idea and are continuing to argue against it. That's called a straw man. Not good debate etiquette.

No straw-man here. Thanks for playing. My simile is the fact that we as humans want to become better at something. We want to improve our weight, we want to be coached to become a better leader. We go to conferences to learn how to make $1,000,000 dollars fast. My opinion is nothing different from your "dream".

The root of the disagreement is "Inspiration". You have a problem with me trying to inspire people. You feel that I'm going to fill them up with false hope, to the point where I will make it worse when they fail.

I did create the idea, I own it. I choose to share it, now you have a problem with it. That's the root of the disagreement.

Thanks for playing though.

P.S. If you want to bring back Critical Thinking 101, look up: tu quoque

[kay0324]

Thank you! I used to say things like I don't think I am smart enough to go to college even...well here I am finally in an RN program..start in August! :redbeathe

[Stephalump]

: tu quoque

First of all, the irony of that phrase is mind blowing.

Second of all, your logic is so all over the place, I'm not even going to attempt to address it. All I will say is this: if you want a pulpit to preach from where no one voices their opinions, start a blog. Disable the comments. Write whatever you want. You can be god of your ideas there.

If you choose to write on an open forum, you have no choice but to accept various opinions. I suggest growing a thicker skin - any credibility your arguments may have is washed away by your emotional reactions and your attempts to "rewrite" your meanings and the meanings of others.

And that is all I have to say on this matter.

[ImKosher]

First of all, the irony of that phrase is mind blowing.

Second of all, your logic is so all over the place, I'm not even going to attempt to address it. All I will say is this: if you want a pulpit to preach from where no one voices their opinions, start a blog. Disable the comments. Write whatever you want. You can be god of your ideas there.

If you choose to write on an open forum, you have no choice but to accept various opinions. I suggest growing a thicker skin - any credibility your arguments may have is washed away by your emotional reactions and your attempts to "rewrite" your meanings and the meanings of others.

And that is all I have to say on this matter.

Lol oh I'm sorry I can't defend my stance. To have good debate etiquette I need to conform to your opinion? This is emotional reaction and illogical?

[Lovie12]

I agree totally. It kind of bothers me when people say oh don't worry your smart you got this. Mind you I put in about 2-3 hours a day studying and durning test week around 5 hours. This is incorporating different ways that help me to understand and retain the information. So when u say I'm smart, I'm like no I put in the hours in and I know how I learn and what helps. Its kind of diminishing all the sacrifices I made to get that A.

[ImKosher]

So what is your definition of idiot? What makes an idiot different from a potential Nurse? What makes a student an idiot? You can't judge this nor have the right to call anyone an idiot.

This was mistaken for another pp. @Wooh.

Sorry SummitAP

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

Lol oh I'm sorry I can't defend my stance. To have good debate etiquette I need to conform to your opinion? This is emotional reaction and illogical?

Do you know what an actual debate is? What you are doing is not debating. You're trying to seem witty, but frankly you're presenting yourself as rude. Go back and reread your comments. Some of them are really nasty and just uncalled for.

[inquiringRN2B]

This has went far off from the intent of the original posts. My comprehension was to keep striving until you reach your goal granted with having confidence in your abilities. This is unbelievable for someone being attacked for encouraging anyone who his post

[nursel56]

No experience in Pre-Nursing? Last time I checked I was in Nursing school. Though, you want to go farther then and and claim I have no experience in this field. Id suggest you check the subject of the forum before your so quick with your tongue.

No experience taking the NCLEX so no way to know if anyone can pass it. I think you are getting confused. You hoped to write an inspirational essay, and you're angry because some people had problems with it. As I already said, if you can't handle disagreements, don't post in a discussion forum.

[inquiringRN2B]

This has went far off from the intent of the original posts. My comprehension was to keep striving until you reach your goal granted with having confidence in your abilities. This is unbelievable for someone being attacked for encouraging students. Its obvious that these issues should be directed and addressed with the nurses you have experienced in your setting that you felt were incapable of being a nurse not someone who is stretching himself to say "YES YOU CAN." We all had pysch by this point and this is called misdirected frustration. Set all egos aside and look at the big picture. We all know some may not do well when it comes to a test but when it comes to on the job the scale does not reflect the same so stop trying to prove who is the "smartest. Because at the end of the day its who can care for the patient the best, who can triage that pt to prevent a crisis, who can put themselves in someone else shoes, who can anticipate the doctors needs, who will answer the call to say "Yes I'm the nurse?" Seriously we can do better!

[ImKosher]

No experience taking the NCLEX so no way to know if anyone can pass it. I think you are getting confused. You hoped to write an inspirational essay, and you're angry because some people had problems with it. As I already said, if you can't handle disagreements, don't post in a discussion forum.

I'm not angry, you just read it that way. Is your meaning of "handle disagreement" is to play nice and say " oh your right, I have been wrong to think that way.". I'm playing the cards as well. Again, because I stand by my original article why does that make me angry?