Or was this something that you eventually discovered?
I just graduated from high school and I'll be the first to say that I've gone down a list of all the possible majors I could declare.
Yes, I know most would call me fickle because I changed what I wanted to do quite frequently. I think it also gave me the opportunity to explore ALL of my options.
I entered high school and I absolutely loved graphic design. The love for that eventually went away. It's fun but it's not a passion. I also loved English. But I realized I just didn't want to be teaching grammar to students 8 times a day. I was interested in anthropology but the reality is, without a PhD. It's pretty much a worthless degree.
I wanted to be a police officer, because I have this desire to protect and help others. It's honestly what I wanted to do more than anything. Which is why right now I'm declared as Criminal Justice. But the fact is, I know that degree will serve me no purpose. I've talked to a few officers and they've told me the same thing. They don't care what degree I have.
I was interested in Athletic training so that I could be a physical therapist but that's just too many years of school and too much debt. I won't be happy. I was going to do accounting since I'm good with numbers but I know I'll want to kill myself after a few years lol
So when I really looked into nursing I saw how much I loved the idea of what I would do. And with all the information I've seen, and heard, I know this is what I want to do. Maybe if I can't get a job as a nurse I'll go for law enforcement but still. I know becoming an RN is really what I'd love to do now.
Again, these things went through my mind for years. It's not like i thought of all these things two minutes ago. High school was definitely a time where I got to think about what I wanted. And finally things are coming together.
At 6 at recess I was army nurse, alternating with cowboy nurse. I had those jobs until I was almost 10. Then it was animal nurse and I went around my dads farm with a can of purple antibiotic spray and sprayed anything on the farm with a scratch. I lost that job around 18. Then it was volunteer at the hospital. then it was babysitter to dozens of drunks in several different bars. Then a friend gave me a job in ICU as an EKG tech. That was good until I wanted more and finally went to school and did that for another 25 yrs. Now if I was physically able I would still be there
No. Here is the list of professions I originally wanted to pursue, starting at the age of 6...
Grocery Bagger
Disney Character
Pediatrician
Veterinarian
Flight Attendant
Actress
Meteorologist
Marine Biologist
Oceanographer
Broadcast Journalist
Registered Nurse!
I always said that I wanted to be Barbie, because she gets to be everything, just by changing her outfit!
Anyway, I started college as a comm. major, and after a year and a half, realized comm. was NOT the place for me. I decided I would change my major to something I was good at and enjoyed. I was good at science, and while I was slacking and pulling D's in my comm. classes, I was effortlessly making A's in my biology electives. For a week, biology was the winner. That is, until I flipped through the course catalog and looked at the nursing curriculum. A&P and micro looked reallyyy good! And clinicals? Oh, fun! Nursing it is! All silliness aside, I ultimately chose nursing because I've always had a certain fascination with the medical field, and I was more interested in learning about the human body, disease, pharm, and all the other nursing stuff that goes with it. I've completed the first semester of my school's BSN program, and I have no regrets with my choice!
YES!!! I would always answer that I wanted to be a Nurse since I was too young to remember. I was a very clumsy child, I ended up getting stitches at least once every summer. I always remember those beautiful women in White uniforms who spoke calmly and comfortingly to a scare little girl. I thought they were angels sent to help me. I believed then and still do that the only job for me is the one I currently have. I am a LPN and I love it.
No. I have not always known I wanted to be a nurse. It took a journey of a few years before I realized it.
When I was in high school, I wanted to teach music. I play the violin. Actually looked at going to school for it. But, I really don't desire to teach children on a regular basis. Too many brats, lol. And in high school, it's usually an orchestra, so teaching just the violin was out.
Then, I wanted to be a fashion designer. I make clothes, pretty cute ones too I must say, lol. I had many people ask where I got something and when I told them I made it they were shocked. Also had quite a few offer to pay me (quite well also) to make them clothes. I made a good friend of mine a dress, and just found no joy in it. I only enjoyed making clothes for myself, not other people. lol. So that career wouldn't work!
I had always had an interest in science and the medical field, but never really knew the true role of a nurse. I also never knew all the different opportunities nurses have.
While working in an office, I realized that I was happiest when I was constantly challenged, under pressure, and learning something new. It's crazy to say I like pressure, but I do. I actually put deadlines on myself to put myself on pressure, and that's a good reason why I do well in school.
After researching the medical field, I had though about Dental Hygiene. Great paying, but not all exciting. Then I though about radiation therapy. Well, again, great paying, but not all exciting. I'd rather interact with people than radiate them.
Then I actually started school to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I wanted to do both OB/Abdominal/Gynecological and Cardio/Vascular. I also wanted to become certified in Nuchal technology (a way to detect a defect in a fetus - very hard to do.) Sonography (both aspects) was going to take easily 8 or more years. 2 year wait for clinical, 2 years of clinical, then another 2 year wait for clinical, and another 2 years of clinical. MMM, no thanks. Then I realized that while sonography may be interesting, it wasn't the seeing babies I was excited about, which everyone else was. I was interested more in looking for problems and solving them. I also really had no desire to sit on my bum for a good portion of the day. I want to be running around.
I volunteered at Children's in the pediatric cancer unit during the holidays and was simply inspired by how strong these children were. I knew I wanted to work with cancer patients. But wasn't really sure how.
My mom mentioned she was transferring to nursing (she was in sonography also.) She had always wanted to be a nurse. I just never really thought about it. I spent a while doing research on all of the areas of nursing. Then I realized I could be an oncology nurse.
It took many different things to get me to this point. I am happy with my decision. I know this is for me.
I met my husband at 18 yrs old and married at 20 yrs old. Became pregnant and had our first child before I turned 22 yrs old.
By this time we decided I stay home for our children. I did this for nearly 13yrs.
I wanted to work but didn't know what I wanted to do. I went to tech school to become a MA (Medical Assistant). Graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Took my test and passed and gained my title of RMA. Have not been able to find a job and 15k in debt. Live and Learn. I am now a Caregiver.
In a year or so I will start taking my prereqs for my ADN. It took me 30+ years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I'm excited yet nervous. Always reading these forums and watching anything medical related.
The huge fear I have is what I ran into with my MA ... The inability to get a job. No previous experience. It's a harsh catch 22 to deal with.
I have always wanted to be a nurse, but somewhere in Jr. High, I decided I wasn't smart enough, and you had to go to college. Fast forward, I obtained a bachelor's in business THEN decided nursing was what I really wanted to do. I obtained by BSN and now after 25 years, will be getting my Masters in December.
No, I originally wanted to be an electrician 20 yrs ago (to work with cute guys) but figured I better not persue that field b/c I didn't like math and the Possibility of getting dirty made me ill. I thought I'd try being a CNA since there were a lot of jobs and it sounded real *neat* to be a nursesassistant. LMAO, and it grew on me from there.
Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN
697 Posts
At 6 at recess I was army nurse, alternating with cowboy nurse. I had those jobs until I was almost 10. Then it was animal nurse and I went around my dads farm with a can of purple antibiotic spray and sprayed anything on the farm with a scratch. I lost that job around 18. Then it was volunteer at the hospital. then it was babysitter to dozens of drunks in several different bars. Then a friend gave me a job in ICU as an EKG tech. That was good until I wanted more and finally went to school and did that for another 25 yrs. Now if I was physically able I would still be there