A New Nursing Student with Worries

[Little Miss Blue]

Hello allnurses! You may call me "Little Miss Blue" or any derivative thereof. I'm a 22 year old student at a community college in Southern California and I am chipping away at the prerequisites for the ADN program. I didn't always want to be a nurse. In fact, for most of my life the idea of working in the medical field did not appeal to me at all. Several years ago I turned down a full-ride scholarship to Pensacola Christian College where I could have gotten my BSN. Now that I've shot myself in the foot and no longer have that option, I want to be a nurse. But I'm worried; I don't know if I'm doing the right thing.

When I first moved here from the midwest where I was raised, I had aspirations of getting a liberal arts degree that I soon realized wasn't going to get me anywhere. I made a couple of compromises during my first year of study and changed my intended major several times before realizing that I wanted to be a nurse-- or at least I was pretty sure that was what I wanted, anyway.

My parents never went to college, and while I was growing up, every day was a struggle for us because of their financial difficulties. I knew that I didn't want to become my parents, but I also knew that I just couldn't afford to go to a university. I considered becoming a computer programmer because it's something I have a natural aptitude for and can be a very lucrative career, but it wasn't the kind of work I'm interested in. I like being active (i.e. on my feet, always working) and I like interacting with others. I've never been good at science or math, which made me doubt myself, but I'm fascinated by the human body and disease, I'm a quick thinker and have an iron stomach. My tolerance for BS is low and a lot of people think I'm a you-get-the-idea, but I swear to you that I'm a people person. I absolutely adore babies and children, although I know it's difficult to specialize in areas related to the care of babies and/or children because so does everyone else.

I'm only a little worried about my capabilities. What I'm a lot worried about is the practicality of what I'm doing. I love where I'm at and I don't think I could live anywhere else-- at least not on a long-term basis. I don't mind working in another state for a couple years to accumulate experience after graduating (in fact, I have some connections in another state that may just ensure me a job right out of school), but if the potential to return to Los Angeles to find long-term work isn't going to be there, I'm not going to be happy. Is it possible to get educated in one state, go work in another for a while, and then return to find work in your home state?

I know it's going to take me 4-6 years to get my ADN because of the waitlist and economy, and I'm already stressing about that because most of my friends have gotten their Bachelor's degrees already or are about to, and I'm going to be 30 when I get my "two year" degree. And part of me is okay with it because of the promise of doing something meaningful with my life and being able to achieve financial independence (I'm not looking for wealth, just living wages), but part of me is like "ARGH WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!".

Was anyone else this confused about going into nursing? Does it get better over time?

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Hello Little Miss Blue. Welcome to allnurses.

We are so glad you found us. Be sure to check out the student forums and the California Nursing Programs forum.

Good luck on your journey to becoming a nurse.

[caliotter3]

:grpwlcm:

[ADPIE10]

At least you're realistic: 4 to 6 years. On the bright side, the economy should be better by that time. At the age of 43, I recently graduated and passed the test for licensure. I'm currently trying to get a new grad position in this very ugly environment. At this point, I'd say that you have more going for you.