Deciding whether or not nursing is right choice

[Scott715]

Hi, I am in the middle of a career change, and I started going back to school this past fall to get through anatomy and physiology, all prerequisites for the nursing program where I go. However I also am interested in the Radiological Technology program, both require the same things Im doing right now. I just started my CNA class last week. I am having issues trying to get past the fact that I have to deal with elderly and give them baths and what not. I would like to end up working at a childrens memorial type place, it fits my personality pretty well. I understand I can't just jump right into that, but if Im so uncomfortable working with the elderly and really do not like it, am I making the right choice to pursue a nursing career. I am 27 and I was a fire fighter before I decided it wasnt a good fit. I dont want to make the same mistake twice. Has anyone else really hated dealing with a certain aspect of nursing? Im just kind of up in the air with it all. Any advice would be helpful.

[Guest717236]

Hi Scott,

With the current economy you are smart to look at all options.

With the market tight for nursing jobs, your firefighter background

would be an asset. That said, take a real good look at radiology.

There are many different areas and nuclear medicine depts in our area

are always looking for staff.

Talk with your school rad program about what the job outlook is in your

area and also what specialties you can expand your education in

to improve your chance of job opportunities.

Bedside nursing is not for everyone, so just make a course adjustment

if it is not a good fit for you.

Best wishes with your studies...

[elkpark]

One of the best things about nursing, IMO, is that there are so many different career paths and roles that have almost nothing in common and almost no resemblance to each other, except that they all require an RN license. I guarantee you every RN has things in nursing s/he really enjoys, and things that s/he would rather go hungry than have to do for a living. I can't stand old people, but I've had a long and satisfying career in nursing :).

I would never encourage anyone to go into nursing if s/he really doesn't want to; as jahra noted, it's certainly not for everyone. However, if you feel that you are really interested in nursing except you don't like the idea of working with elderly clients, I would encourage you to look beyond that. Nursing is a v. "big tent" -- there's truly something for everyone. We all had to do things we didn't particularly enjoy or want to do in clinicals. RN education and practice is v. different from CNA education and practice -- if I had started out as a CNA, I probably would have walked away from nursing, too. But CNA clinicals and practice are certainly not representative of all the possibilities within registered nursing.

My motto (in nursing) has always been, "I can put up with anything for 8 hours" (or, more recently, "12 hours" :)). There were lots of things I did in clinicals in nursing school that I would never want to do for a permanent, regular job. But nursing school is a means to an end.

You will have a much wider range of career opportunities as an RN than you will as a radiology tech. In the end, though, only you can decide what is the best choice for you. Best wishes for your journey!