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If I asked the prospective nurse why they are interested in nursing and their reply is about helping, caring, contributing, making a difference--any sincere and passionate desire to care for patients--I would absolutely recommend the career. It's insanely challenging and stressful...and rewarding. Those little moments of making a difference in someone's life make it all worth it.
My answer wasn't included in your poll. My answer is "It depends."
If your heart is in it ... and you are intelligent and mentally strong ... then "Yes, by all means, become a nurse. It is a fine way to contribute to the betterment of the world."
However, if your heart is not in it ... and you are not intelligent and not mentally strong ... then you should probably find some other way to earn a living.
I did not vote in the poll because my response would be similar to llg's.
If asked, "should I become a nurse?" my answer would consider whether the person is intelligent, intellectually curious, emotionally mature, able to be respectful of various cultures & subcultures, and possesses a reasonably well-developed sense of self.
If yes, and the person has a desire to be a nurse -- then yes.
If asked, "should I become a nurse?" my answer would consider whether the person is intelligent, intellectually curious, emotionally mature, able to be respectful of various cultures & subcultures, and possesses a reasonably well-developed sense of self.
The question is based on what you would tell a friend or a poster on allnurses. It is based more on your own happiness with your career choice than an assessment of the asker's intelligence and maturity level.:)
Yes, I have recommended nursing as a career option for some people who have expressed an interest. I also have discouraged others from starting. Each person is an individual and I have shared my reasons when asked.
In general I would encourage more people to look seriously at nursing as a career. Some of the people who have asked me have thought about it because of the money after 2 years of college. Most of these I have discouraged because they had no interest in caring for others, only financial stability as they saw it.
Many people so not have the strong scientific mind that nursing requires at the same time having the compassion for others. It really takes a special kind of person to be a nurse. Brains and inner beauty shining out. Hard combo.
The question is based on what you would tell a friend or a poster on allnurses. It is based more on your own happiness with your career choice than an assessment of the asker's intelligence and maturity level.:)
Sounds like two different questions. If asked, "are you happy you became a nurse?" I would answer resoundingly "yes." If someone asks if it's for them, then the answer is dependent on that person.
BradleyRN
520 Posts
Nursing is not an easy career path to choose. It is certainly one of the most difficult. When friends or prospective students ask, do you recommend becoming a nurse?:)