Decisions decisions!!

[bsoltis]

Okay guys, I need some advice. So, I became a member of this site about a year ago to get some insight on the field of nursing. Until both of my dads passed away, I never even thought about pursuing a degree in this field. I've always loved helping people, that's what I'm good at. So, I thought, hey, I think I would be good at this. I've been in school off and on since I graduated HS in 05, but consecutively for about 3 years. I have all of my pre reqs done and plan to do an ADN program. I was accepted into a program last year, but declined it due to the cost but mostly the fact little to non of my credits transferred. I just sent in an app 2 weeks ago for another program. Now I am having second thoughts. I know it's normal to be scared, it keeps you on your toes. But, I'm afraid I may have a paralyzing fear, and that's dangerous. I have a knot in my belly just thinking about it. It takes a strong person to be a nurse. While I'm strong, I'm not sure I can feel comfortable about being responsible for someone's life. What should I do????

[bsoltis]

I should note, it was only about 2 years ago that I had considered nursing. The years before that I was totally undecided.

[Nienna Celebrindal]

No one can really tell you what to do. I can only tell that we ALL feel like that sometimes. I don't think it ever 100% goes away, but eventually you just start to trust yourself and your knowledge. There will always be times that you think "Do I know anything? Why are people letting me do this?!" But I think really that's just us being hard on ourselves because we care.

I understand your concern about paralyzing fear, I had it in nursing school. I realized then that the only way to get through it was to do all the things I was terrified of. So I volunteered and jumped in first and just got it done. Some people manage to avoid not doing all sorts of things in nursing school, like cpr, or even injections (I know thats crazy right?) but those things only get harder when you have a license. When you are a student you have someone watching you who will intervene the second you start to go off course. Experience is how you stop the fear. I was terrified the first time I took someone's blood sugar, gave an injection and I bawlled like crazy after doing cpr the first time. But now I feel very comfortable with all of those things and more. Because I've done them.

I dunno if that helped but thats all I can add.

[Ndoht, BSN, RN]

Everyone is super nervous when they are making the next big step in their lives or starting something that is going to determine the course of the rest of their lives. It is only normal. Don't let it scare you! Don't let it imprison you and hold you back like it already had. You need to pat yourself in the back, take a deep breath, and stride forward. If you want to feel needed and accomplished, and contribute to the society, don't let it scare you! Your life is never going to change unless you do something to change it. However, if you are doubting whether nursing is really for you, you can get a healthcare-related job and make your careful decision then.

[bsoltis]

Thank you guys for taking the time to respond to me!! I'm just so indecisive

[bsoltis]

On what I want to do!! I'm just debating whether or not this is the right field for me. I've always wanted a degree in science, particularly the health field. I just don't know what to do.