Am I Nurse Material?

kitti419 · Jun 15, 2009

Is your mom a nurse? Where does her credibility come from, other than knowing your personality? I have friends & family members who are nurses. The ones who are burned out try to caution me. The ones who enjoy it encourage me.

I have interviewed w/ nursing schools and have been told some the qualities that make a good nurse are the following: competency, critical thinking skills, leadership, compassion, hardiness, attention to detail, time management, patience, people skills, professionalism, trustworthiness, empathy & backbone. I'm sure there are more.

If you already have 2 children then you are no stranger to hard work.

Follow your heart and enroll in some prerequisites. You will find out, one way or the other. Good luck!

Hopefull nurse · Jun 17, 2009

No my mother is not a nurse. I don't know any nurses personally so I haven't had one say any bad or good things about the profession. I am sure there are good days and bad days but I think that if you are passionate about what you do, the good days will out weigh the bad. In regards to my mother, I guess she is just concerned that I may regret this career choice as I regret my business career. I tried to explain to her that I feel as if I have finally found my purpose in this world. Either way, with or without her support, I need to take this step.

I have to say I am really scared of being rejected from nursing school. I can't imagine how that must feel. I start taking my biology pre requisites at Delgado this coming August. I am so excited to start school again. I have two daughters and I have to do this not only for me but for them so that I may give them a better life. My best friend advised me that just b/c my daughter was at the hospital and I loved what they did for her, I shouldn't base my decision to be a nurse on that experience. I don't understand b/c I have read that people of gotten inspired because of a personal experience. My best friend explained that my emotions and gratitude for the nurses that cared for my daughter are not enough reasons to venture into a nursing career. I think its best for me to just listen to myself and not to everyone around me. Everyone has different opinions about a situation.

kitti419 · Jun 17, 2009

Many people are afraid of change, and a lot of times people will try to talk you out of changing because they like you just the way you are. The bottom line is that if you have the means and the motivation, you are halfway there.

When you start your prerequisites at Delgado, you will be on your path. People are right when they said it's hard, but there are numerous resources there to help you succeed. Delgado has some wonderful teachers dedicated to your learning the material. There is a tutor lab that I attribute a good portion of my GPA to.

If you PM me, I can tell you who to take for A&P I.

You can base your decisions on anything you want to. If you have thought this through, then you are not being impulsive, and that is where our friends and family tend to see red flags - when we are impulsive. I guarantee you that there is nothing impulsive or quick about the process of becoming a nurse. There are many obstacles and you have plenty of time throughout the course of your prereqs to decide if this is for you or not.

I understand your position. I''m coming from a business background. I used to own 3 s-corporations (small but successful in their primes). When I had $38k in the bank from a few months of work, you would never have convinced me that I'd be looking for a new career later on, but things happen. Hurricanes can wipe everything out; the economy can hit a recession. Guess what? I didn't have a retirement. I never bought into an IRA. I thought I would keep rolling in the money... fast forward..my business partners chose to stay displaced where I chose to come home. I became a single parent. Money goes very quickly. No retirement, no health insurance. Time to find a new path. I love science & I love people. I based my decision to become a nurse on my 2 pregnancies. You have an insider's experience. You actually stayed at the hospital and entrusted the care of your child to a nurse. I was in & out. I can only remember the name of my L&D nurse. She about killed me on the IV start. LOL.

Sorry I wrote a novel for you. I guess my point is that it's your life. You want security for your children. You want skills that will make you valuable. There is nothing wrong w/ $50k a year plus benefits.

As far as being rejected...You won't know til you try. Just REALLY do your best. If you think you could be spending more time on a subject, then do it. This is not the time to blow off school work for a TV show or something. I'm a mom, too. When I get an hour, I have to use that hour. I study a LOT. People make fun of me. I don't care. :)

I wish you luck & perseverance.

lam1025 · Jun 17, 2009

I don't think anyone really knows if they have "what it takes" to make it as a nurse because I don't think you really find out until you get there. I think there is general qualities you need to posess and some people may say they have what it takes but you never really find out until you actually do it.

For me personally I based my decision on signs. I started college with a nursing major and changed because I was 17 and confused. (no 17 year old should ever go to college hahaha I've learned this). I graduated with a business degree as well, and I've never been happy. I worked a while just to be sure it wasn't for me, and it wasn't I was miserable. But I always went back to... "I should have gone into nursing". And I realized I wanted to do something that was worthwhile, something that made a difference. When I look back on my life, I want to be able to say that I did something with meaning. And every thing has pointed at nursing. I'm not gonna lie I still have my occasional doubts if this is what I really want. But I think those doubts are their because this whole process is overwhleming and really its unknown. I have an idea of what I'm getting myself into, i'm still on the outside looking in. And I'll be starting nursing school in Jan.

But If this something that you really want to do, go for it. Why should it matter youre reasoning behind it. The fact is that it is a good profession, with good job security. And if you feel very strongly about it, by not going for it you may regret it for the rest of your life.

My grandfather gave me the best advice anyone has given me since starting going back to school.... it's better to be just starting a new career, being happy and taking pride in what you do than spending years being miserable doing something you hate.

Hope that helps a little and good luck

Hopefull nurse · Jun 17, 2009

Wow, you actually brought tears to my eyes. Seriously!

I appreciate your kind words and support. Its feels great to talk to people that are passionate about nursing. You're right about people being scared of change. I admit I was afraid of change before. About 2 yrs ago I worked for an attorney. That was like working in hell. I was underpaid and had about 15 tasks around the office on top of being the receptionist and doing the office newsletter (create, print, fold, stamp, and address about 1500). I cried almost everyday but I was afraid to get out. I didn't want to start over. I finally realized that it wasn't for me when my boss told me that if I wanted to move up in the corporate ladder I had to be willing to eat bowls of **** and take the abuse. He said it would make me stronger.

I want to help people and I feel I am to caring to work in that type of environment.

my best friend should understand be better. I have thought this through and I am sure about what I want. She on the other hand left Honduras (my birth country) and moved to Sweden on an impulse when she broke up with my brother. She thinks I am doing the same just b/c my daughter was in the hospital. Not really the same don't ya think? I want to become a nurse not move to Japan!

I really want to accomplish this. I look at my children and I want to give them the best. I want them to one day feel proud of me for not letting fear get in the way of my goals. I have to practice what I plan to preach to them. During my time at the attorneys office I was upset and aggravated all the time, in a way I took it out on my family. I don't want that to happen again. Okay, now I have written you a novel. Sorry

Hopefull nurse · Jun 18, 2009

Pixlarue,

Your grandfather have you some really good advise. Thruth of the matter is when I graduated from highschool, I wanted to go into pediatrics. I ended up taking business b/c my parents said I would be in school forever and they could not afford that type of career choice. Plus, my dad drove me crazy saying a business administration degree was the best career move for me. He said a person with that degree was highly respected in our country. They dropped the "we sacrificed everything for you" speech.

My reason was b/c my mother lost my twin brother when we were 45 days old b/c of the lack of attention given to him by his doctors and nurses. They did nothing to cure him and he died. Then my 5 week old daughter fell ill last year and those thoughts came back to me. They hit me like a ton of bricks. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner. Well, its top late to think about that now. The point is that I want to achieve my goal of becoming an RN. Most importnatly' I would love to go into pediatric nursing. My dream job is to work at childrens hospital....one day.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 18, 2009

my mother told me i should be an rn because "all they do is sit at the desk and drink coffee and flirt with the doctors while the aides do all the work." (mom was a secretary.) to this day, she believes that -- even after seeing dad in icu for weeks and watching what the nurses -- not the aides -- did for him. she has alzheimer's now and can be forgiven for not getting it. but i'll probably never forgive her for telling me "if people knew what you were really like, you wouldn't have any friends." i was 6, and to this day, i half believe it.

my point is that moms say things that devastate you, and then they oftentimes don't remember say those things in the first place while you can't forget it. your mom doesn't have a clear idea what she's talking about. do your best to forget it and move on. and if you're really good you'll wonder -- as i do -- what you've said to your children (or will say) that will scar them for life!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2009

I made my decision to go into nursing. It took a 4 day stay to Childrens Hospital last year with my 5 week old daughter.
What I saw there in what seemed like a year changed my life. I have never been so pasionate about anything, not even when I was majoring in business at UNO.
I will begin taking my biology pre-requisites at Delgado this fall. I am so excited and ready to start.
Unfortunately, my excitement is short lived. My mom is telling me that nursing is not for me. She says that its hard work. She doesn't believe I will succeed at getting accepted to charity. She also mentioned I was not nursing material. And because I have 2 daughters, she believes I won't be able to do it.
I never thought I would hear this from my mom. I am so hurt by her words and lack of faith for me. How do you guys know for sure you have what it takes to be a nurse? I am starting to believe maybe she is right.

Oh my... Please do not let your mom deplete your self esteem! I, myself, have two children that are rather young. I have a four year and a 3 month old!!! And I'm starting nursing school in two weeks! I even went through training as a CNA while being pregnant with my second (who is the 3 month old)! You MUST, absolutely must have support! I know your mom means a lot to you, so you tell her that you have done your research and you are not only motivated, but DETERMINED to become that nurse that you dreamed of when your daughter was in the hospital. Sometimes, a calling comes to you when the time is right. Nursing school is definitely difficult and you must have great time-management skills, but if you are determined to become that nurse you see yourself being, then push what your mom had to say out of your head and GO FOR IT!!! We are here to support you. You can come and vent all you want! You can ask us as many questions as you want! We are here for you! Personally, I am unsure how old your children are, but you and I can support eachother since we both have two children (except mine are boys).

I'm shocked that your own mother would even say anything to deter you from accomplishing something successful and rewarding in your life! ...But I guess there are some people out there that are like that. Please don't let her hinder your dreams! If you truly believe you can do it, then go for it! Just be ready for the busy, busy, busy life!

Many Blessings to you!

robinrene1212 · Jun 24, 2009

Nothing motivates me more than someone telling me I can't do something. I was trying to decide my next career. I was an Archaeologist and then after my kids were older I was a substitute teacher for 3 years and hated it. On a whim I said to my husband "Maybe I will be a nurse" and he was online getting all the infor for me. I thought "Why not?" Well people came out of the woodwork to tell me how hard it is, how competative it is etc etc etc. It really annoyed me like they were saying "You are not smart enough to do that" so that fueled my fire. The thought of having to take Algebra was enough to scare me off............took that first got an A and carried on. Finished all my prereq's with A or A- and am currently in the nursing program. If I can do it you can do it!! Good luck!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2009

I also wanted to add that you should take a moment and read "A day as a nurse" (google and search around or look on this site) to read about a day as a nurse and see if that's something you truly want to do. If you feel you can handle all the goods and bads, then continue forth your motivation! (I am a research fanatic.) Go for it!!!

ranka · Jun 24, 2009

Never let anyone stop you from your dream. If you want to be a nurse, you will achieve it.

I am in a fast-track nursing degree BSN program now. My first BS degree is in healthcare mgmt.

After my son's birth and a 12 day stay in the NICU, I decided I wanted to become a NNP.

I had always wanted to be a nurse, but went the easy way to healthcare mgmt. After 5 kids & getting into a Masters of Public Health, I found I was unfufilled. I made a life decision to start taking nursing pre-reqs. I graduated with almost a 4.0 avg in my science pre-reqs. I now am about half-way though my BSN progam. I graduate in Dec 2009. I made the Dean's list last semester by working hard and taking the chaos as it comes.

It is not easy, but I am happy with my new career choice. It is alot of late nights studying, no sleep, and realizing that family time is on the back burner. In the end, it is all worth it. You will have bumps in the road and ask yourself countless times Why am I doing this ? Just go with the flow and go after your dream.