Am I Nurse Material?

spenmom · Jun 24, 2009

RN Hopefull/RN to BE

Doesn't it help to know how many of us have been in your shoes? I also had a degree I felt was useless (unless I wanted to work for the CIA or FBI--no thanks), a job I tolerated, but couldn't stand to do the rest of my life, one child, and parents who told me, ten years ago, when I told them I was planning to go to nursing school, "Why? Your husband works, it will be hard on the kids, it will be bad for your health...what if you get sick again...what if...what if...etc....." Basically they were against it from day one, to the extent that my mom would agree to watch my son during my pre-reqs, and then flake on me continuously to the point that I decided to wait for a while. It was only my husband who said, "You can do this, you will do this, you were meant to do this, and I will do everything I can to help you."

I am finally about to graduate in December, and now, my parents grudgingly accept the fact that no, my children (I have two now) haven't been emotionally scarred by having their mother busy, nor has my marriage fallen apart. I've managed to keep my health up in spite of the stress of an accelerated BSN program (I had a few flare-ups of a chronic but stable problem over the past few years, but now I know how to keep it under control).

So, what I'm saying is, that parents have all sorts of reasons for saying things, most of them selfish. From my parents perspective, they were worried the burden would fall on them. Well, we live in another state, so they've never had to help out in any way. Now, I hear from others how "Proud" they are of me, and how great it is that I went back to nursing school. Makes me angry, that they would use it as a way to make themselves look better, when they did everything they could to prevent me from going (especially as I am the only child of 5 to have finished college, and will now have 2 degrees). But, not going to waste my energy on it.

And, as you get older, you realize that you have to follow YOUR intuition/ambition and what is in your heart, not what you think is an "acceptable career." Don't stress yourself out too much getting volunteer experience, although some is good. Focus on your coursework and your kids, and be prepared that when you interview for nursing school you will be asked about how you will plan to accommodate for them (will you have a live-in nanny, day-care, or what). Sometimes, if you have average grades and average test scores, having kids can be enough to possibly cause a denial (It happened to a friend of mine, who has struggled at times through the program-she eventually got in).

So, make your plans, follow your heart. If you have put up with as much BS as it sounds like you have, you'll do just fine with nursing (unfortunately, in some ways). You'll learn the terminology, the procedures, and everything else, and it will be good for your children to see you accomplish such an important goal.

You can do it...you will do it...Thank goodness you already have one degree so you don't have to do a whole lot of BS over again!! We need strong, determined people like you who have lived life outside of high school and college, experienced the real world, and can bring real-life smarts and compassion to the profession!!

Sorry so long...sheesh, I really got going on this topic..but, truly, best of luck, and you will make it. :nurse:

Hopefull nurse · Jun 24, 2009

If I could have all of you guys in front of me right now, I would give you the biggest hug ever given! I can't believe how many supportive replies I have gotten in 1 day. They come on a day when I really really really needed some positive feedback. I am having so much trouble with Delgado. If I can actually get everything straight w/ them, I just might make it to Charity! Ok, I just did some scrapbooking pages for my daughters albums and I feel so much better. I can't thank you enough how much support you are giving me. A million thanks and may God bless you guys Always!

I am more determined to succeed! Can't wait to give you the news "I'm going to Nursing School!" THANKS!

Katmanduuu · Jun 24, 2009

First, I want to offer you the thought that YOU are the captain of your own ship...not your mother. That said, your post brought back some interesting memories for me.

When I told my family that I had signed up for nursing school, I remember my mother telling me, "I don't know why you bother. You'll never finish it. You never finish anything you start!" Yes, that hurt, and it certainly wasn't true, but those words were the 'burr under my saddle' that I needed on those really rough days of clinicals. I was determined to do this and by heaven nothing was going to stop me! Even though I was in my early 30's at that point and knew I'd be 'competing' with all those 'young kids' who were starting just out of high school. It made me nervous and the school even had a name for us "older" students....."Non-traditional Student." (Thanks....just stick us with a label before we even begin! :banghead: )

On the very first day of classes, they put us in an auditorium and told us to look to our left and to our right. There must have been 300 of us in there. The woman leading that class then said, "Take a hard look at the person to your left and right, because only one of you will make it to graduation." Yikes! I thought they wanted us to succeed....not weed us out with a scythe! I lost track of how many times I said or thought "I can NOT do this!" but I kept going. Frustration, tears, lack of money, no days off for months at a time, working full time and going to school full time, taking classes straight through the summer......none of it stopped me. I saw classmates who had relationships fail and even a couple of divorces from the stress and strain and I still kept going. I had times where I wondered if I'd done the right thing or if I'd just set myself up for failure and often wondered "Am I NUTS?? What was I thinking?? This wasn't in the brochure!!" (I swear that every time I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, it was attached to a really big train!) Some things came to me very easily while others did not. It was a lot of work but I finally got through it.

At my pinning ceremony, when I was walking back down from the stage, I briefly stopped to get a hug from one of my classmates. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see my father. He'd walked up to the edge of the stage and gave me a huge hug! Everyone applauded and I had tears in my eyes. He was just beaming with pride! :heartbeat

Now, 20 years later, I look back on a great career where I've had the opportunity to help people, save lives and made some incredible friends. I've worked in hospitals ranging from 7 acute beds to over 1000 beds and have done travel nursing, as well. I'm still working in a hospital setting and love what I do. I'm a long way from retirement (I'm a very young 55, now) and am always looking for new things to learn.

The moral of the story.....follow your own path, wherever it may lead you. No one can choose that path for you and even if you take a detour now and again (such as the business career you regret) you still are the beneficiary of the knowledge and experience that you gained in the process. You've really lost nothing by that detour. They say that life is not about the destination, it's about the journey. So true! The destination is nice (it's always great to have goals), but don't forget to enjoy the journey, because, unlike life, in nursing the journey is never really over. There's always something new around the corner. And that's the beauty of it! No, nursing isn't for everyone, but I believe that nurses are 'called' to the profession, through many different ways. What triggers that 'call' can be as varied as the types of nursing out there. So many opportunities await you and I wish you the absolute best on your journey. It will never be dull, I guarantee you!

Oh....and Mom? Well....she's very proud of me. She's my biggest fan and supporter and she loves to tell people (even perfect strangers!) that her daughter is a Registered Nurse. :nurse:

:thankya:

TrixieKat · Jun 24, 2009

I starting nursing school when I was 35 years old. My daughter was 9 years old. I worked 10pm to 7am in a grocery store. When I told my mom, who left me, my brother and dad when I was 16, that I was going to nursing school, she told me I was wasting my time and wouldn't make it. She had tried to get into nursing school when she was about 35 and didn't make it. Not only did I graduate, but I received honors. I have been a nurse for 10 years now. Don't listen to anyone else. Do what you feel you should do. My dad has a very large family and 75% of the women are nurses. All my life I was told by them, you should be a nurse. My reply, "I'm never going to be a nurse, that doesn't interest me." But look what happened!! I'm a nurse and I love it. Good luck :up:

Hopefull nurse · Jun 25, 2009

Its so hurtful when people around you, meant to help you, actually seem to want you to fail. In highschool my 11th grade math teacher told us that we shouldn't bother going to college b/c we would never make it. Well I went to college and once there,I came upon a certain Accounting teacher. I was having trouble understanding a section in the class. When I went to him (he was also the accounting dept head), he told me the material was easy and I shouldn't be having problems with it. He finished off by saying that I should take time off from college, that maybe it wasn't for me. All b/c I didn't understand 3 pages in my acct text. I was really hurt and got really depressed. I ended up getting an F and felt terrible. I doubted myself as a college student. I later retook the class with an incredible teacher who made sure we got it! I have been the type of person to get discouraged and take comments to heart. But with this Nursing dream I feel different. I know I will encounter issues but I have grown up and matured since my acct class incident. I am determined to do good b/c I don't have any room for error. I am always telling my younger cousins to do well in school, same advise I will eventually give my kids. I want to be a role model for them and inspire them to be successful at what they want to do. Thankfully, I have the opportunity to concentrate on school and not work. My fiance is being very supportive and is with me all the way. Of course, he is concerned of the stress, but he knows I want this more than anything.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. It feels great to know that others have been in my choice and have succeeded. It gives me hope and the will to continue.

I have been looking for signs. The day I got my nursing information packet I had some Chinese. Later that evening after I finished reading the packet, I opened a fortune cookie. It read, "NEVER GIVE UP"

TrixieKat · Jun 25, 2009

When I was in nursing school, one of the teachers would never answer questions, she would say "Look it up", and if you still had questions and asked her to explain it, she wouldn't. I just took it to mean that she didn't know the answer. Even now, there are nurses who are in 'teaching' positions, such as risk managers, nurse educators, etc., and when asked they are asked a question and say, "You're a nurse, you should already know that," I take it that they don't know the answer. My position is Care Plan Coordinator and I also have to educate CNAs on documentation. I always take time to explain, even when they don't ask, CNAs and nurses, both. Thank goodness there's the internet, where you can find almost anything. Helped me out in nursing school and is still helping me out today. Nursing education never stops, you are always learning, even those who have been nurses for 20, 30, 40 years.

Wishinonastar, BSN · Jun 25, 2009

People love to point out the negative. All my life I have heard this from people. College is too expensive, why would you ever want to do that, yada yada yada. It is your life. Who cares what anyone thinks? Do what you feel you want to do. Everything is a risk, but you can either take a risk or sit around regretting not doing it for the rest of your life.

gradRN2007, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2009

by rn hopefull

updated today at 07:58 am by joe v

registered user

age: 29

received 4 kudos from 4 posts

join date: jun 2009

posts: 29

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. do it. 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

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.

in what seemed like a year changed my life...4 days actually

when i was majoring in business at uno.

begin taking my biology pre-requisites at delgado this fall.

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 am so hurt by her words and lack of faith for me.

here is scrooge....4 days changed your life, those 4 days felt like a year...nursing school is long and hard, having a sick baby for 4 days is nothing like nursing school. you were majoring in business, why did you stop? good for you for starting your pre-med classes, who is supporting you in your career change..you?your mom?hubby/ if its you..more power to you. you should still be excited no matter what if its the change you want. if mom is saying its hard work maybe she knows what has happened in the past or she feels she will be expected to take care of her 2 grandchildren..??

if nursing is something you really want you will do fine..with or without support but having support is so much easier on you and your family...find out why mom feels the way she does..hopefully you are still working while taking your prerequistes so you can tell if you like biology, chemistry, community service, phlebotomy, puke and poop, old people and everyone inbetween..good luck to you and if nursing is what you really want go for it, you will do fine...i had to take the other side though...can't imagine taking all the prerequistes and finding out you didn't like science after all...once you are excepted to a nursing program there is no better feeling...and nursing is the best job in the world...good luck

McD511LPN · Jun 25, 2009

I think you are making a true heart felt attempt to follow a new stance in this ever changing world of nursing. Remember what you learn in school, you will also show your kids that it doesn't matter how young or old you are you will always be learning something new. Nursing is a very diverse profession. There are many opportunities in this field that expand far beyond the Hosp. job and the 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm or the 11pm-7am tours.There are so many avenues you can indulge in... It's endless. and I congradulate you in making a descission that's right for you in your heart. Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't do this or that or be this or that... I know it's our nature and your mom knows you best but, your not that little girl anymore and now that you have 2 children obviously you will do :nurse:what's best for them in all aspects of their life. GoodLuck and hold on tight because you are in for a Wild but most rewarding ride of your life!

goodgrief · Jun 25, 2009

when someone tells me I can't do something, it makes me want to do it even more....I guess that's the ambition in me.....you can do whatever you desire!

Hopefull nurse · Jun 25, 2009

gradRN2007,

I don't know if you have any children so you may not understand. Its very difficult to see your 5 week old child in a hospital bed with IVs in her tiny little arms. Yes, it was only 4 days BUT it SEEMED like a year. 4 days of testing and nurses coming in and put of the room can make any mother scared to death. The only thing I wanted was to take my little girl home. Of course, 4 days IS nothing like nursing school, and I don't believe I ever said it was. My daugther was not sick for only 4 days. She did not leave the hospital cured. She will be on medication for approximately the next 7 years and will need yearly kidney check ups for the rest of her life. My decision to be a nurse was not because I spent 4 days in the hospital, it was b/c of the tremendous job I saw those nurses do. The care they gave my daughter I could never repay. Yes, it is their job, but THEY did it with true feeling. They were genuine. Not all nurses are like that.

And YES I did graduate from the university of new Orleans with a Business degree. I took science classes and I did well, so I'm not a stranger to science.

Also, I am greatful to not have to work while I attend school. With regards to my kids, I have a good support system and a wonderful hubby who is with me all the way. My parents won't have to worry about taking care of my daughters b/c they are moving out of the country once their retirement home is built.

I am aware that nursing involves seeing all sorts of things. When you mention puke and poop, do remember that I have children. Puke and poop are on the menu almost every day. To me, a true nurse isn't worried about puke, blood, or poop. Its obvious it comes with the territory. The important part is healing the patient or having the compassion necessary to prepare him/her in the final stages. Young or old, a patients well being should always be top priority.

I can't wait to start.

NurseSourcer · Jun 25, 2009

i certainly would seek out advice from people in the field, similar as you did on this board. learn as much as you can & since you seem pretty grounded, i believe, you can determine for yourself the good, the bad & the ugly. if you're still driven to do it, by all means do it (nike, remember?!). even though we have a close bound w/our family, no one knows you as well as yourself! if you believe this is it for you, it probably is! just make yourself happy & everyone around you will be happy for you, i am sure. do you read on nursinglink as well? recently they posted a day in the life of a nurse article, which might be of interest to you: http://www.nursinglink.com/careers/articles/8509-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-nurse?utm_source=nlet&utm_content=nl_r1_20090623_life

cheers, julie