Anyone want to answer 3 questions for me?

[Aekju46]

I'm applying for a scholarship and one of the requirements are to interview someone who is already in the field I want to pursue, which would be nursing. They listed 6 questions to ask but we have to choose only 3 so i here's what I picked:

What initially inspired you to pursue the industry that you are currently in?

What would be one important piece of advice for someone like me who is considering going into the field that you are in?

What was the biggest hurdle that you encountered when you were first getting started in this field and how did you overcome it?

Thanks in advance!!

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I don't usually respond to these, because most sources want you to interview in person, but this time, I'll bite.

What initially inspired you to pursue the industry that you are currently in?

I have always been interested in science and health. When my dad took first aid as a volunteer firefighter, I was enamored, at age 8, of his first aid manual. But really, it was the old TV show "Emergency" that got me hooked.

What would be one important piece of advice for someone like me who is considering going into the field that you are in?

Be sure you are prepared for off-shift work, heavy workload, and the emotional toll of seeing people at their worst.

What was the biggest hurdle that you encountered when you were first getting started in this field and how did you overcome it?

Balancing home and work life, especially finding childcare.

[RNrhythm, BSN, RN]

What initially inspired you to pursue the industry that you are currently in?

My story is common. I had a lot of experience with major illnesses among my family and friends. Nurses inspired me to pursue nursing as a second career.

What would be one important piece of advice for someone like me who is considering going into the field that you are in?

1) If you have no academic experience in the sciences, research the admission requirements of several programs to confirm transferability and then take your pre-reqs before committing to a program. A lot of people flunk out on Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology. 2) After that, realize that nursing school is often the hardest thing most people have ever done. Approach it strategically and be prepared to work very hard. Your personal life will suffer.

What was the biggest hurdle that you encountered when you were first getting started in this field and how did you overcome it?

Ageism. You can read a lot about it here on Allnurses. You have to persevere and take steps not to red flag as older, like being a technophobe, looking tired, or joking about how young everyone else is. Always present yourself as a strong, energetic, capable asset.