Opinions on Becoming a Nurse

Students Pre-Nursing

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When I first told friends and family that I was considering pursuing a nursing career, every one of them said "Oh, you'd be GREAT as a nurse." And every one of those twirps followed it up with something to the tune of "You don't mind bossing people around". :sneaky:

Not one person said it was because of my cheery disposition or great bedside manner. Apparently I need better friends! :roflmao: Not sure what I can do about that family, tho.

I took this personally at first (although in jest) and then realized, they think nurses, as a whole, are bossy!

I'm not shy and I've held many teaching and administrative roles. Giving others direction was a necessary skillset and one I developed rather well, apparently. :cheeky:

What have your friends and family said when you shared your desire to go into Nursing?

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I think being bossy is a great asset - in moderatio , like most things. One of your main jobs as a nurse is to be their advocate. And sometimes being an advocate means being pushy :)

I've been told I'd make a great nurse due to being "so smart," but warned that I'll also hate it for the same reasons.

Time will tell. Hopefully I'm smart enough to put myself in situations that help me grow, not smother me :)

MommaTy

599 Posts

Well your friends don't know very many nurses! On another note, when my family found out they said you are so compassionate that this is your calling. I've been a CNA for 10 years and I still love hearing the residents say, I love her she is my favorite, she is so sweet. If YOU want to become a nurse and YOU feel like it's something YOU want, then don't ask to much questions what others think. It's your choice and if YOU think you will be a great nurse then go for it :)

july06

123 Posts

I've been told that I'll be a good nurse because I'm compassionate and softspoken.

i♥words

561 Posts

I've been told that I'm too smart to be a nurse and, therefore, I should be a doctor. :rolleyes: I would not now be preparing for nursing school in the fall if I had any desire to be a physician. I've also been told that I don't have enough compassion or patience to be a nurse because I'm more of a suck-it-up-and-move-on-slash-stop-whining-already personality. I don't know, I feel like those are in many ways strengths. I hope. ;)

determined_30

173 Posts

Well I have been a c.n.a. since 2005. I am now taking pr requisites for nursing. I have obviously worked under nurses for a long time. A lot of the nurses I have worked under were kind of bossy and a lot of them want you to do your job and there's. Like as a c.n.a You are supposed to answer lights whenever they are on but nurses will walk right pass the room with the light on and come and tell you to get the light. Also I have had nurses who will actually go in the room where a patient is, the patient will ask to be turned on their right side and instead of the nurse turning them they will go get the c.n.a. But there are a lot of good nurses also.

lauraline

254 Posts

I have 2 live-in caretakers caring for my grandmother who are LVN and CNA whom I've known like family for over 15 years. They were shocked to hear of my career plan to say the least. And I think they are still trying to wrap their heads around this crazy idea of mine to become a nurse. But it doesn't bother me. And then there's my friends who gasp and can't stand the thought of me working with strangers in such intimate ways handling their blood, urine, and other "gross" things. I guess I had it coming, because I had been type of girl who freaks out when my freshly done manicure chips! But to be honest, I am not scared of the "gross" part in the least bit. In fact, I was gleaming with joy when I got my first chance at cadaver dissection. Haha!

C.A.S

20 Posts

A lot of inflated egos. Too smart to be a nurse? What the heck does that mean? Should that be a compliment to you or a castigation to the nursing profession.

Well my dear(s), hate to deflate your ego, it's MUCH BIGGER than you are.

okiedokie123

105 Posts

It's funny, it seems like everyone has the same reason and that's why they enter nursing. But truth be told, reality is different. I also would advise not go into it, especially in this economy.

Mandy0728

578 Posts

Because of this economy? Really? Where I live, there are plenty of nursing jobs available, so I'd say it's a pretty safe choice & what's wrong with everyone doing it for the same reasons?

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Because of this economy? Really? Where I live there are plenty of nursing jobs available, so I'd say it's a pretty safe choice & what's wrong with everyone doing it for the same reasons?[/quote']

New grads are really hurting out there. Job openings doesn't always equal job openings for people without experience. And it's getting even tougher for people with ADNs.

I'm not quite in the boat of discouraging people from choosing nursing, but I definitely warm people in my area away from associates degree programs and from choosing the path solely because of a nursing shortage. I have friends all over the county who have searched 8 months to a year for that first job, and then most of them ended up outside of acute care. If it's worth taking a chance, then more power to us all :)

mz23

81 Posts

Ive been told by family and friends because I'm smart and caring. My doctor told me id be a good nurse because li seem very caring and would listen to people. He also told me I'm not aggressive like his nurse who tries to teach people karate. I think she sounds funny. Anyways, hearing that from my doctor was nice. His wife is getting her masters in nursing and i kinda have a crush on him.

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