How does one know if nursing is the right career?tips?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello Everyone! I am new here and have a few questions for you guys.

I am a 19 yr old HS grad and I am indeed a guy.

I have been very undecided about what to choose for a career.

Right now I am going with a "job" until I decide what I want to do.

I have interest in a few different area.

I have interest in the nursing field but have a few hold-me-backs.

I don't know if I will be right for the job mentally... If I am smart enough for it.

In HS I did great in all sciences (including biology and chem) and aced my math but didn't have to do any hard math such as algebra (basic math,general math 1&2,basic/pre-algebra, and business math). I haven't done anything like algebra 1 & 2 or trigonometry.

I am sure I can apply myself and get through the schooling if I do choose to go to nursing school, although I know it would be hard. I would like to help people and be among the 10% of male nurses out there. It is actually my brother in-law that inspired me to consider this career. I am fairly strong and would most likely want an ER or ICU nursing job.

Another thing- I am sure I can handle giving shots etc. Is it normal for one to be "iffy" about giving catheters and other things involving the privacy of a patient? Something one gets used to? If that turns me down is it a reason for me not to choose nursing as a career? I am sure its something I can get over.

What are some examples of a person who would make a good nurse. How do I know if nursing is right or me?

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This is my worry to math was my weakest subject and I feel like will be my downfall but like my husband says when you apply yourself" you can do and learn anything". Then he tells me "If I have to get a second job on the weekends to get you a tutor we will" .However back on

topic . I have another thread asking about schools and the different routes. One of the routes is become a Cna then do the LPN then the associates for nurse it would take longer but at least gradually if it's something you can not handle you can cut early instead of committing to a 4 year program. (Sorry about grammar on my little phone)

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when you apply yourself you can do and learn anything

I agree with your husband! I think it is normal to be nervous about performing certain procedures...in fact, it is probably abnormal if you don't feel the slightest bit nervous at first! I am not sure exactly how to know 100% if a career is right for you (although volunteering, jow shadowing, working as a CNA, etc. might help)...but if the things you listed are your only concerns, I say go for it!

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*job shadowing

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get a CNA certificate, work as a CNA while getting some Gen Ed, classes and if you feel like you have the heart and the passion to help and serve people in medical kind of way, then try taking some prereqs for you to get into a nursing program, like Anatomy&Physiology, MicroBio, Chem, etc.. you could also try volunteering into a local hospital near you try physician or nurse shadowing , ask your Counselor or school if they could set you up with one, or go to the hospital and ask.

you just have to make sure that you are gonna LOVE what you are doing not Like what you are doing for the benefits that you will receive whatever decision you will take as long as your happy, i think you will be good. well GOOD LUCK! :)

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Do online classes and courses count for the prereqs?

I could take online math and algebra courses to help me get to where I need to be with math.

Also classes for the sciences. I could do those classes after I work as a CNA for a while and decide I want to do it or not. I could probably take classes while still working as a CNA.

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Yes, you can take online courses. I would avoid an all-online, for-profit school if you can take them through a community college or a not-for-profit school. Your transcripts won't even show that the class was online. For lab sciences, you will probably need to go to the school for at least some of it...but I think it is definitely possible to work as a CNA while taking classes.

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I have to warn you that CNA is not as technical as nursing (RN). A couple the girls that were in my CNA class stated that CNA was an acronym for "cleaning nasty asses" and I couldnt agree more! I would recommend volunteering or shadowing to start out.

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I have to warn you that CNA is not as technical as nursing (RN). A couple the girls that were in my CNA class stated that CNA was an acronym for "cleaning nasty asses" and I couldnt agree more! I would recommend volunteering or shadowing to start out.

My biggest pet peeve as a CNA, is RNs/LPN that cannot handle the sight of vomit/feces/urine. I truly wonder how they survived clinicals. When you are a nurse, you have to take pride in your profession and what it stands for. You cannot pick and choose, i.e. "I don't like to work with old people" or "I want to work in a hospital because it pays more." You will have to work with people of all ages and all nationalities at some point or other. It's wrong to hate on people for being incontinent or incapable of caring themselves. That's what we healthcare workers are here for-- to improve the quality of people's lives.

Anyways, on topic-- I do agree with Schwabee524 that volunteering/shadowing are good places to start. It will help prevent reality shock later on if you do decide to become a CNA or go to nursing school and acclimate you to a healthcare setting.

** Edit: Also, I am not sure what nursing school you are planning to go to, but for the BSN I'm working on at UNM, Statistics is the highest level of math you need to have. If you were good at chemistry, I assume you did alright in dimensional analysis which will be good for Pharmacology courses.

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I see what you mean about CNA's. Before reading your comment I saw some stuff on youtube that kinda turned m away from CNA as a reproach of getting to RN.

Right now it is like 75% that I go for RN. The other 25% being how it goes when I shadow.

I have already started to do some algebra book again and other maths as well to sharpen my math skills. So no matter what I do I want to be better at math.

I found a good college/hospital(Albany, NY) that I can apply for after the prerequisites are done. I am thinking being that it is a hospital as well as a nurse training center aka college it would be easier to learn.

I am wanting to go for a ADN and then later further my education if I want.

I (unlike others) have no fear of blood or vomit. I know I could do the catheter and baths of same sex patients without a problem(maybe would be weird first few times).

In High School I got a GPA of 3.3. What is the GPA for prereq and nursing school. Is it 3.0?

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To answer your question about whether or not assisting people with their personal needs, it does get easier. Every time I have to do peri-care or anything else invasive, I treat it as any other medical care while ensuring the patient is comfortable. Personally, being a CNA did not strengthen my desire to be a nurse. It's a very tough job, physically and emotionally. If you're undecided about whether or not nursing is for you.. Think about why you want to do it. Is it all about finances? Do you truly care about helping those in need? What is the driving force? You can also go and check out the nursing program at the school you want to go to. Also, talking to a nursing advisor at the school can help clarify the route you may need to go, academic wise. Again, volunteering and job shadowing are great sources of information. Good luck on your decision!

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My college says that it requires a minimum of 3.0 to be considered for the program, but my adviser told me that the last class admitted to UNM had an average GPA of around 3.5

But if you did pretty well in high school, I think you could do it. Some schools consider other factors in addition to GPA. :)

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