Do you think I can become a nurse?

[strawberry19]

Currently I am in my last year at high school, and am thinking about what I would like to study next year.

It's such a hard decision for me, and I don't have much time to think about it, since I would have to apply to universities (etc.) soon.

I think I've always wanted to be in a profession where I can care for somebody. Recently I've been thinking of becoming a nurse. I can't say I know what nurses do everyday, but I do respect the incredible amount of work you do to care for others.

When I talk to my friends and family about me wanting to become a nurse, 98% of them says I'm making the wrong decision. This makes me extremely sad, but I don't want to give up although everytime someone says that, I have to question myself whether I am making the right choice.

I've got a few questions that i need answers to, so if you could help me, that would be very much appreciated :redpinkhe

i) What made you want to do nursing?

ii) Do you like being a nurse? Do you ever regret becoming a nurse? What makes you happy that you chose nursing as your career?

iii) [i know this is a stupid question but] I'm not really good with looking at blood or wounds, do you think I can get used to that?

You don't need to answer all the questions. If you could answer any of it or tell me anything about nursing that would be very helpful. Thank you. :heartbeat

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I got into nursing by accident. I was in my second year of college and had not decided on a major. I was considering becoming a dance major but I finally understood that after about 40 I would have to find a new career. In any case, after some study and research, I decided to go into nursing and I have never looked back. It has afforded me a good living, and has provided me with a wonderful, funny stories to tell my friends. It is a great feeling to be able to help people out when they need your help and to be able to go home at the end of the night knowing that you did a good job. It is a hard job and it gets more complicated year after year. So, for me it was the right decision to make. I have never had any regrets.

[stellina615]

Good for you, strawberry. It's a smart idea to shadow someone you know to see if nursing might be a good fit for you. I'm sure your aunt will tell you this (I'm a mental health nurse myself, so I can also tell you first hand), but even if she shows you around and what you see doesn't end up interesting you, just remember that there are literally hundreds of different jobs that a nurse can do. You could work in a hospital, an office, private duty, a college - the possibilities are endless. I even had one nursing instructor who had a second job as an RN for NASA, no joke! If you have a good work ethic and a desire to help people, you will do great. Don't let anyone else be a road block to your journey! Good luck!