Should I be a nurse? Will it be the right choice?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Let me give you a brief background and what has led me to this decision. I graduated from college with a degree and worked some jobs, my major didn't actually pay very well. So I was struggling and the job sucked. I am in my late 20s and I used to be the do what you are passionate about type of guy. But that didn't actually pay the bills and equated with periods of struggles for me. So now I have learned my lesson and figure nursing to be a smart route. Now I never thought about nursing nor ever wanted to be a nurse. But from working various jobs in customer service I have great patience, professional demeanor, and empathy that I feel would translate well into the nursing profession.

The reason that I am deciding on nursing is more of a business decision. Great job flexibility, chance for higher education, the debt to income ratio is reasonable, money, and it would get me out in the work force faster than other routes that I was considering. After wising up a bit, I realize that work is work. You don't have to do something you love necessarily, but do something that you can tolerant and can do for long term. I feel that many people fall into this category. On the spare time with the money you have saved you can do what you want. Other routes that I have considered was physical therapist and pharmacist. However each has their own problems with PT being high debt to low income/lack of job flexibility and pharmacist being oversaturation. So I just wanted to get your opinions. Those who worked in the field and have a bit more life experience than me. Or is there other career options that I should consider? As far as my goals are is that I would like a stable job and not living pay check to paycheck. Further down the road I would consider being a DNP. I would like to stick with healthcare since thats all I have ever known and my degree is in biology. A little insight into my personality is that I am an ISTJ, however my introvert is not that strong. It is more of a 50/50.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Have you looked into the hiring climate in your area? ADN vs. BSN preferences? Will it be a struggle to get a job or to get into a local nursing school in the first place? Will this change put you in debt up to your eyeballs?

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i live in so cal. The hiring seems to be good, however most require about a year of experience. Similar to most professions I guess. BSN or MSN for me since I already have a bachelors and can do a ABSN. To get into a local absn program would be kinda of difficult, but if I travel a bit further I am pretty sure I can get in. As far as debt I am expecting about less than 60k depending on the program for ABSN if I go that route. If I go msn it is about 100k.

What is your thoughts on nursing? was it a good career choice? What other careers do you think I should consider that offers good pay and lifestyle?

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Here is my two cents. I think that going into nursing as a default career because nothing else is paying you is wrong. I'll explain why. I don't think nursing is a calling, but I do think you have to have a full understanding of what the job entails and at least be interested in the field so you can handle the mental and emotional stress of the job.

I see so many people come on this forum every week and say well I'm going to be a DNP because they think that's where the "big" money is. It's not. A RN who works weekends and works overtime can make the same amount as a NP. The job of an RN is very demanding. With very little thanks. You have to be mentally prepared to go into this field or you will end up as one of those people who are completely burned out on the job as a new grad before their first year is up. I see that every week too.

Research your job market. Research schools and how much this will cost. If you truly want to be a DNP do not do a direct entry program. Students from those programs are having a horrible time finding jobs because they have no actual nursing experience. You will need to work a couple of years and get some experience under your belt. And I have also been told by HR reps from hospitals they won't hire NPs without any nursing background experience.

What you want to do is great, in theory. But you need to focus in on the realities of the nursing field, what it entails, and how you will achieve it all. Good luck in your research and I hope you find your answers.

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thank you so much for your informative response. Do you have any other career suggestions that I should do research on?

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thank you so much for your informative response. Do you have any other career suggestions that I should do research on?

The job market for new grads in So Cal is pretty dismal from what we've heard from others on this site. As to your question, it would be extremely difficult if not impossible for strangers on the internet to assist you in determining what career would be the best fit for you. Perhaps seeking out the expertise of a career counselor would be more beneficial.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Agree with the poster who said that, while you don't need a calling to be a nurse, it's important to have those internal motivators as well as the practical stuff.

Definitely speak to a career counselor. Without knowing anything about your geographic area, I would also research dental hygiene and physical/occupational therapy assistant; relatively quick programs that offer a comfortable lifestyle with fulfilling work.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Can you clean someone that has defeated on themself?

Can you hold the emesis bag so someone can puke in it?

Can you suction someone's trach so they can breathe?

Can you hold someone's hand while they are dying?

Can you stomach the smell of a stage IV pressure ulcer that is infected?

Can you keep your cool during stressful situations?

Maybe you should try to shadow a nurse to see if YOU think you can be a nurse?

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Your story really resonated with me. Also like you, I went into nursing for "practality" reasons. Do I love nursing? No. Tolerate it? Some days no, some days yes. But I do believe that yes, with the right mind frame you can be a nurse, and make good money and then use that money to do things you love

I want to also mention that nursing has many avenues. It took me a long time to realize it, but I realized I wanted to be a crna. And I'm working towards it. Nursing can have forward paths, it's up to you where you want to go and what you're willing to sacrifice.

Not to also mention it's forgivable on your pocket and always has that nice "fall-back" cushion.

I'll let you know a little about myself. I hope

My story resonates with you and shows you, that you can do it too. And you don't need to "love" or even "like" nursing to do well and exceed in it.

Entered a bachelors of science in nursing program right out of high school, at the tender age of 19. Was given a near-full scholarship at the school. Was inducted to the international nursing honor society, graduated cum laude with a 3.6 GPA. Passed flying colors on the NCLEX, in 1 hour, and 75 questions.

Got offered a position at a MICU/SICU position right out of college, as new grad.

Currently as a new grad with only 9

months of experience, I make 36.50/hr and I have a per diem job that pays 46.50/hr. Right now I'm having scheduling difficulities but I'm planning a nice 10 day long vacation to Disney world/universal with my sister. And I'm going to pay it singlehanded (a nice deserved 6k) vacation for us!

I'm IV, phlebotomy, ACLS, BLS, EKG certified. Working towards the Crna route slowly.

Lecture wise - Always excelled in school, since grade school. I didn't study much, and cruised through nursing school. Our school was very competitive - I started with 60

kids at the beginning of freshmen year, only 15 of the original kids were still with us. Always felt nursing lectures were always too filled with "fluff" all that caring and sharing rambling with PowerPoints. I would study at home for most of the time cause I felt the teachers simpy read off powerpoints. I remember struggling especially with Fundamentals of Nursing 1, because I was so used to factual/physiology questions rather than situational NCLEX types. I was never really taught how to answer NCLEX questions (had to teach myself)- so I would say if there is anything nursing programs should improve in it is those two facts (better teaching methods instead of lazily reading powerpoints and teaching how to do NCLEX questions). I Did well with science classes.

Clinicals - Always struggled the hardest with clinicals, especially due to the fact I was super shy and never worked a day in my life. Very naive. Struggled with most clinicals -- a lot of the teachers, I felt, were intimidating and not quite understanding. I did well with OB and psych surprisingly but I attribute that to the teacher. If there was anything I'd improve it'd be that. Positively wise I went to a lot of sites - at LEAST 50. I leaned towards the OR, outpatient. Hated a lot of bedside but still managed to pass. Exposure was great.

youll learn your real skills on the job, everything is learnable. Dealing with vents, traches, feedings, wounds. Especially if you do it enough times, you can be an expert. Don't be intimidated by it. And let's say you don't like a certain floor -- move on. Keep gaining experience and ignore the people who put you down and push on.

hoped I helped and that I shed some light into my nursing experience. If I did it, you can do it too!

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We are nurses, not academic advisors. What makes you think you will be accepted to nursing school?

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