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.
When in the heat of the moment, you do what you have to do and deal with the emotions later. I have worked in Oncology for 11 years now, (been a nurse for 16) and have found as the years pass it becomes a bit less difficult (won't say "easy") to hold emotions in check and go into auto pilot with "the right words".
Yes, I believe it is okay to cry. (As you said, not hysterically.) My sister died at the age of 32, one year after I completed nursing school. The nurses that were with us in the end shed many tears and I found it very endearing and comforting that my sister had even touched them in her last hours. We are only human and I have been told that family members are touched when the nurse shows emotion; helps them feel like they are not completely alone in their grief.
And just for the record, you will flunk psychology if you ever answer a question with "it's going to be okay" ;) The correct answer will be "This must be very difficult for you" or "You seem to be very frustrated by this.";)
Ok that's good to know that I can cry a little. As a family member, I would feel better if the nurses showed some emotion. About the "its going to be ok" phrase, I have had it told to me before by nurses. Glad you told me that's not the proper thing to say. I have never been there when a family or friend has passed. I don't know what it is to witness someone die. I guess it just gets getting used to. I am sure in my career as a nurse, I will witness death sometime or another. On another note, how much should you show your religious preferences? I ask b/c when my daughter was at childrens hospital last year, the student nurse that was assigned to her asked me if we could pray for her. She asked that we hold hands and bow our heads. I was thankful for her prayers, but what if the patient and/or the family don't believe in God? Won't they feel insulted or uncomfortable? Was she correct for approaching is?
I am 41 yrs old and have been a nurse since 1989 & let me tell you that it is the best career I could have ever chosen. I did not know at 18 yrs old that this career would offer me so many options that have worked beautifully w/ my life and all it's changes over the years. My father suggested I try it when all I knew was that I wanted to work w/ people and do something meaningful. Yes, it was hard many times and I had to work for it....but it has brought more reward to my life than i could ever explain to you in an email. My resume' is 2 pages long -with many different types of nursing jobs -- but I have always been a nurse! How many careers offer you the opportunity to try so many different things? Don't think you like the type of nursing you are doing? Try something else! I have been a critical care/ER nurse, travelling nurse (in my younger, single days and maybe plans w/ my husband for retirement years to travel around?), workers' comp, insurance casemanagement/UR (for that Mon-Fri. no weekend/holiday time of life), home care, infusion nurse, private duty nursing, research and development, medical literature review on the side from home.......hmmm.... I think that about tells you all my endeavours. Right now, as a mom, I'm doing nights and sleep while the kids are in school or work weekends.....i work for an agency and make my own schedule (husband carries us on benefits now).......I've picked up 2nd jobs when I've needed to and did a few homecare visits on my way home from other jobs......Sure I've burned out in years past......but that was my own fault for chasing the "almighty dollar" and neglecting my self care needs....but the money is good. I say nursing is a "manipulative income" job......If I need more money - I can work more.......I don't worry about job security....ever! Nusing is the best career! Go for it!
I just read your post and that is sad how people can discourage others. I went to nursing school initially so I could earn more credits during high school. My mom, grandma and brother were in/out the hospital quite a bit so I became interested because of this also. You know what? I love what I do. I could not imagine doing anything else. There are many different personalities in the nursing and there is no specific trait. It is a combination of things that you grow to learn. Maybe if you do go to school you can get a feel for what you can handle. There is so much to nursing. Don't let anyone discourage you. You are the only person who can decide what you can handle. It is awesome for your future, to have a job you can take anywhere. So good luck and don't give up!
I am proud of you for taking this step and I don't even know you! I did not go into nursing until I was 51 years old. My friends and parents all asked me why start a new career like this now. I told them I just knew God was calling me in that direction. As I looked back on experiences in my life, I could see where and how He had been preparing me for this step and I had to follow His lead. Do what your heart tells you to do, no matter what other people say or think. It won't be easy, but you can do it. When you start to feel discouraged or overwhelmed, stop, step back, take a deep breath, and ask God to give you the strength to persevere and do what you need to do. He is always by your side and will give you what you need - even when you don't know what it is you need. I'll be praying for you.
Thanks for your words of encouragement.I am excited about starting the fall semester next month to get my biology prerequisites out of the way.I think about nursing everyday and ask myself if I am ready to take this huge step in my life. At times, it scares me to think I could fail and not make it to nursing school. I wish I could block those thoughts from my brain. But then the thought of working with great people to help those that are sick makes me feel calm again. Its amazing how God can send you such a strong sign of what your purpose in life is. For many years now I had asked myself the question over and over again, "what was I meant to do here?" my only regret is that I didn't realize it until my 30's. So many years of wasted time. I am afraid I won't be a nurse long enough to fullfill my purpose. I guess all those years were meant for me to grow and mature and learn through lifes experiences. My hope is to get in to charity school of nursing in 2011 and one day work for childrens hospital. One day.
:nurse:Wow! I keep getting signs that Nursing is meant for me. It turns out that I can actually get in to Charity next year and not in 2011 ! I am so excited about the great news. Turns out I was misinformed but thankfully I got that straightened out...mistakes happen. So, I'll be applying for Charity Fall 2010. Any Charity Fall 2010 students out there?
Right now, as a mom, I'm doing nights and sleep while the kids are in school or work weekends.....i work for an agency and make my own schedule (husband carries us on benefits now).......I've picked up 2nd jobs when I've needed to and did a few homecare visits on my way home from other jobs......Sure I've burned out in years past......but that was my own fault for chasing the "almighty dollar" and neglecting my self care needs....but the money is good. I say nursing is a "manipulative income" job......If I need more money - I can work more.......I don't worry about job security....ever! Nusing is the best career! Go for it!
! I am so excited about the great news. Turns out I was misinformed but thankfully I got that straightened out...mistakes happen. So, I'll be applying for Charity Fall 2010. Any Charity Fall 2010 students out there?
SamyRN
35 Posts
When in the heat of the moment, you do what you have to do and deal with the emotions later. I have worked in Oncology for 11 years now, (been a nurse for 16) and have found as the years pass it becomes a bit less difficult (won't say "easy") to hold emotions in check and go into auto pilot with "the right words".
Yes, I believe it is okay to cry. (As you said, not hysterically.) My sister died at the age of 32, one year after I completed nursing school. The nurses that were with us in the end shed many tears and I found it very endearing and comforting that my sister had even touched them in her last hours. We are only human and I have been told that family members are touched when the nurse shows emotion; helps them feel like they are not completely alone in their grief.
And just for the record, you will flunk psychology if you ever answer a question with "it's going to be okay"
;) The correct answer will be "This must be very difficult for you" or "You seem to be very frustrated by this.";)