Do you think I can become a nurse?

Dionyonce · Sep 2, 2009

Honey, i wish i could have gone back when i was 18 again...i would think more for the future. My ambition to become a Nurse only began when i enrolled in a Nursing Techician program. I was working in the telecommunication fields and my job had went into Bankruptcy and i thought of doing something where my job would be secured. Well that was the BEST thing i could have ever done. Wish i had had the opportunity to do it straight out of highschool. Now i realized that i cant see me doing anything else with my life. I have a strong desire to heal people. I currently work in a hospital and i see patients come in sick..so sick they dont seem like they're going to make it. But to do the improvement day by day from cant eating(NPO) to Liquid only to having a full regular diet. I never was told not to do Nursing in the begining because i wanted to be Psychologist. But i realized that everything happens for areason sometimes though i do envy and cry inside to see young Nurses like Wow..that could have been me. But i am grateful because they are people who look at me and wish they was in my position. At this point in your life, ask your self Do you really want to be a Nurse or you want Job security? What's your motives for even thinking of Nursing???

Hyper_toph_emia · Sep 2, 2009

Don't let anybody tell you you're making the wrong choice. Just because a certain profession is not what would make them happy doesn't mean it's the same for you. That's just one of my pet peeves when people project their desires on others. It should be about what makes you happy. I'm on my way to becoming a nurse. Basically I chose this profession because it will bring meaning to my life. I'll be able to say "I did something good today" after everyday of work. Also, I chose this profession because there are so many different areas of nursing. I'm sure there are many areas of nursing that I will hate but many I will love. The profession gives freedom of choice on what area or floor you want to work. As for being squeemish about wounds and bodily fluid, I'm sure you can get used to it. Especially when a persons life depends on your care. I believe that if you love something enough, you can get through any set back. Good luck!!!

Rabid Response · Sep 2, 2009

I wanted to be a nurse when I was younger, but my family discouraged me because they thought it was too blue collar, and they were hoping I would go to law or med school. I got a BA in English and still wanted to be a nurse but thought I wouldn't like the science classes. I enrolled in a chemistry class on a lark (had managed to avoid it for years) and loved it. After that I steamrolled through all the other prereqs and enrolled in nursing school and got my BSN. My family was disappointed, but I was paying the bills this time so they had to get over it. I wish I'd gotten my BSN the first time around. I really like being a nurse!

If nursing is what you want, then by all mean pursue it. But be sure that it really is what you want. There is so much more to it than just taking care of people. I have worked shifts where it seemed that I barely had 10 minutes to actually "care" for my patients. You should volunteer at one of your local hospitals and ask to shadow a nurse for a day so that you can see for yourself what nurses really do.

As for looking at blood and wounds (there's worse stuff too!), you can and will get used to it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Sparrowhawk · Sep 2, 2009

Like the first response said..why do YOU want to be a nurse...that's all that really matters..all the rest falls intoplace

Katnip, RN · Sep 2, 2009

If you want to be a nurse, then do it. Don't let others tell you what to do, because it's not their career, but yours. It would be nice to have the support of family and friends, but it isn't always possible, either.

As suggested above, you might want to volunteer at a local hospital or see if they allow high school students to shadow a nurse for a few hours. You still won't know exactly what a nurse does or see the responsibility a nurse really has-that doesn't happen until you actually become a nurse-but it can give you a basic idea of what nursing is.

lvaliav · Sep 2, 2009

If you want to be a nurse, then you will do it. Like everyone else has said, it is your life, your career and your decision. What are the reasons that your family and friends think your decision for nursing is not right? It is good to have support but in the end, you dont want to listen to opinions of others and base your decision on that only to find yourself regretting it years later. Shadow a nurse or start volunteering at a hospital to get the idea and feel for the environment. Nursing is a great choice because you can work almost anywhere and there is so much room for growth.

Although I am still pretty young, I could have saved myself a year or two of money if I just didnt listen to family influence. I was set on becoming a doctor, then changed to pharmacy, now I am sticking to nursing which I had originally thought of pursueing but of course parents and family had alot to do with why it took me so long to get where I am. So what you shoud do is put aside everyone else's opinions and focus on yours. They will eventually come around... =) Good luck and enjoy your senior year of hs!

loriangel14, RN · Sep 2, 2009

I think having compassion for others and enjoying helping people are reasons that I went into nursing.I love my job and I have never regretted it at all. I have an older sister, an aunt and one grandmother that are/were nurses, and an uncle and a great uncle that were doctors so I guess it runs in the family to help others. I have never regretted it for one moment.

I too thought that I couldn't handle blood or wounds but it is really not that bad. You do what you have to do.

phlox · Sep 2, 2009

I started out wanting to be a veterinarian because I loved animals and thought I could not handle human blood and gore. That did not happen. Had a family instead and no education. Then many years later became an RN and ended up working in Labor and Lelivery and the Emergency Room, plenty of bodily fluids and gore. I LOVED IT!

We all change. And please remember that at your age, other folks opinions matter. Later, you will not care so much. So do what YOU want to do and you will have fewer regrets in life. Don't let other people live your life especially when you are only trying to do good for others and yourself. Be you and you will be happy.:)

seniorstudent123 · Sep 2, 2009

I suggest that you become a certified nursing assistant before going to nursing school. As a CNA you'll learn basic care. It's not only a good foundation for nursing but you'll also get a good idea of what a nurse's day is like.

chiromed0 · Sep 2, 2009

Take their concerns with a grain of salt. I would not be asking other people your age what to do for a career. They don't have one yet.

Nursing is a lifelong profession with many, many options and for any healthcare professional a valuable first step. Get your Associates & RN then decide if it's for you. That RN will keep you employed for life in worst case scenerio and will give you tremendous experience for anything else you do in healthcare. It's a no brainer.

strawberry19 · Sep 3, 2009

Thank you everyone for giving me advice and nice words.

I really needed that encouragement, and I'm so grateful for your help.

I really would like to pursue this, so I'm not going to let people stand in my way of becoming a nurse.

My aunty is a mental health nurse, and she said she can show me round her hospital, so as some people suggested, I can get a better insight into what nursing is about.

I'm glad I came here for help. Thank you everyone! :redbeathe