Accepted into RN Program.. Having a few "doubts"

michelle54 · May 17, 2007

First of all, relax ... you never really know what a specific career is like until you actually do it. Being in nursing school is one thing; being a nurse in another (frankly, being a nurse is more fun than being a student nurse). Since you don't have an undergraduate degree, you need to take that step first for whatever career you ultimately decide on. Your career is a journey ... good luck.

buddiage · May 17, 2007

Nice to know someone like me...

From my perspective: when I finally made it to nursing school, it was a point where there was "no turning back." I had been going to school for so long, and now that I was on the doorstep, I began to question it (and give myself pep talks).

I think part of it is the commitment- I had finally made a commitment not knowing if I would truly like it (and all has been great so far). I had the "what ifs" in my head.

Like you, my interests are diverse. In all honesty, I have a love/hate relationship with school. If I could make minimum wage going to school, I would. But, since the world doesn't work like that, I have to *gulp* commit to SOMETHING and get paid when I'm done.

So far, I have loved clinicals at school, love the nursing aspect of patient care, and am satisfied knowing that if I get sick of it, I can shape my nursing education into something else if I want. It's a good foundation for anything, really.

Autonomy...now that's a nice word. I think, in a sense, you never will have true autonomy, though. As a physician, your autonomy is there IF you abide by the fine print, legal jargon, standards, blah, blah, blah.... dealing with insurance companies, having your orifice on the line (not that nurses don't). I think being a great nurse is what I want to do, and I will constantly evolve so that I am always learning (I hope to get my master's and do NP or CRNA too, if I still want to). I can't say that is what your answer should be, but it is something to think about.

MelodyRNurse · May 17, 2007

I just want to let you know that your not alone. I questioned my decision when I was excepted into the program, I still didn't know for sure when I started, so I thought to myself "I'll know once I start some of these nursing classes and get a real feel for it". Nope, here I am as indecisive as ever, I am currently a nurse (LPN) and I'm half way through the LPN-RN bridge program and I still truly don't know. I've wanted to be a nurse in the hospital from the start, so it is difficult for me because I don't have that option in my area as an LPN. So I just keep on pushing and I ask myself everyday if this is what I really want to do with the rest of my life. I have devoted the entire past three years of my life for this. I worked in a hospital for a couple years and it still didn't give me a general idea of what nursing really consists of. I agree with the other poster that the commitment is difficult when your not 100% sure. Even if I am not a nurse for the rest of my life, it has really changed me as a person and I definitely don't regret it. Not yet anyway! =)

Good luck in you persuit for an answer.

chuck1234 · May 18, 2007

You sound like a Gemini... Are you a Gemini????

Kimmi73 · May 18, 2007

You sound like a Gemini... Are you a Gemini????

No not a Gemini an Aries. haha Why do you say? Enlighten me... :)

chuck1234 · May 18, 2007

No not a Gemini an Aries. haha Why do you say? Enlighten me... :)

Gemini has a lot of ideas. He/She likes to jump around....very hyper...

SoulShine75 · May 18, 2007

I wanted to get into nursing school for so long. I did all I was suppose to do and met deadlines etc. Then one day it came. The acceptance letter. I opened it and was shocked that my first reaction wasn't excitment, but fear. I stared at that letter for what seemed like hours, but was probably seconds. The reality hit me, but I took a chance and I'm glad I did. I start my last semester this fall and am excited for graduation. Like the other posters have said, you won't really know until you do it. I am glad to hear that being a nurse is better than a nursing student, b/c it's a hard gig. I'll be glad for the day when I won't have to spend every moment of free time with my face in a book.

Good luck with your decision. Follow your heart....what does it tell you?

2bNurseNik · May 18, 2007

I read your post and said, dang :uhoh3: , did I post this? I've taken so many "career tests" and they all come back saying the same thing - 99% healthcare, 80% management, 1% agriculture type fields, 85% human services, etc. Then, I kept telling myself, I said self, if I don't get accepted then that mean it wasn't meant to be. Well wada-u know, I got accepted, "career tests" agrees, and supportive family; I AM GOING FOR IT AND SO SHOULD YOU!!!

:lol2:

ok first off let me say I've always intended to be an RN. I've been accepted into the program and should start within a few months. JUst in the last few days I've been having "thoughts" along the lines of: Is this really what I want to do? Are there other career choices I would better be suited for? etc. etc. I've weighed the pros/cons of being a nurse and I'm familiar with EVERYTHING that goes into it, researched specialties. I've always thought about psychology/social work but wanted a clinical component so that's why I thought nursing would be perfect. I currently work as an ultrasound tech, so I've been in healthcare for almost 4 years. I'm so desperate I've been taking "career tests" and I'm trying to figure out if this is truly a problem or just second thoughts. Any advice would be appreciated!! My biggest fear is wondering if I'll enjoy nursing, feel fulfilled yada yada yada.
:idea: :idea:

jollyjenny · May 18, 2007

What is it that you don't like about being an ultrasound tech? It's funny, because I've decided not to go to nursing school because I want to be an ultrasound tech instead . I start the program in the fall.

Ms Kylee · May 18, 2007

Gemini Guilty! :lol2: I had all of those doubts too, and I'm only 11 weeks into my program. I love all of my classes (except one) and my teachers (except one), and I'm way nervous about clinicals... I had a talk with my one instructor about that, and he told me "With your grades, you don't need to worry about that."

Nursing is what I've always wanted to do, but I was talked out of going to nursing school right after high school. I got a BS in a totally wasted field, went to real estate school, transcription school, and after working for many years and not making any money, I decided after my father died that darn it, I'm going to go to nursing school.

367 days ago, I took the NET test and passed, so I took it as a sign that I should go to nursing school.

For the first week, I keep wondering what the H*** did I get msyelf into, but I know I did make the right decision and it will all be worth it in the end... if I could just stop stressing about the stupid stuff that will probably never happen (like flunking practicum and clinicals and all of that stuff).