Does it seem like EVERYONE is trying to be a nurse?

Published

I've been contemplating going back to school to do prereq's for nursing. All of a sudden it seems like everyone I know is going to be a nurse! Does anyone else see this? Four girls I work with, about fifteen friends on Facebook, and at least 1 or 2 random people a week.

Do you think this has to do with the recession? Are people just all going back to school to get a healthcare career for more job security? I can't think of why else this would be happening so quickly??

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I've been contemplating going back to school to do prereq's for nursing. All of a sudden it seems like everyone I know is going to be a nurse!

I think you just noticed now that you want to be a nurse.

When I got a Subaru, suddenly it seemed like everyone else was driving a Subaru. When I started driving my Tacoma it seemed like a lot of people were driving a Tacoma too. Was I setting a car trend? Were people copying my style of automotive device? No. Why did it seem like every time I got a new car so did everyone else? Because I noticed all the other cars on the road that were the same as mine. They had always been there, they just stood out because I was driving one too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do what you love and success will follow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Heartopenwide-- great examples you wrote. It's very true. Your mind automatically holds onto everyone that is doing nursing. I bet if were some one were wanting to be a lawyer, all of the sudden it would seem like a lot more people were wanting to be lawyers. (not as good of an example as yours but, you get the picture)

--Andrew26

Up Vote Up Vote ×

a lot of people are going in for the money rather than for the love of the profession. those ones will soon realize what a terrible mistake they've made.

nursing is not for everybody. i've had people tell me, and i quote, i hate the sight of blood but i want to be a nurse. i couldn't help but shake my head.

even if such people make it in, they will voluntarily quit and rethink their career path.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think thats why the clinical part is so important. The student is really put in a position of actually being a nurse (while supervised). This gives them a head dose and a glimce into what they are getting involved in. If it's not for them, the clinicals will tell them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I talk to a lot of people who are also returning to school. Most want to become nurses, or enroll in one of the other allied health field associate degree programs offered at my school (rad tech, ultrasound, etc), and still others who want just a certificate (phlebotomy, stna, etc). Part of the draw is a field that is relatively stable and pays well for only an associate degree. Back to those that I see in my classes - I can tell you that A&P I is a great weeding class. Our class weeded out a number of potential students, it also likely made a few think about their career choice (like those who barely made a C). At my school, you can't even think about getting into the nursing clinicals until you have all your pre-reqs and core classes done, which does help with weeding people out of the program. OTOH, it sure makes it take a lot longer for those of us who are doing well in our clases!

For myself, the nice pay will be a perk, but I'm doing it for reasons other than that. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient oncology.

A few thoughts: I decided to go to nursing school in '06 because I knew it would be a good challenge for me. I thought it would allow me to work on my interpersonal skills and help me to grow personally, and that's what I wanted more than anything. I never looked at stats or anything. The same I started on my prereq's I started working as a CNA because I wanted to learn about the field I was getting into, which is VERY hard work but something I found to be invaluable, BTW. Much to my disbelief many of my classmates had no interest in working as a CNA.... Anyway, I worked as a CNA for 2 yrs in a nursing home and then for 1yr in a hospital while in school( I applied for the hospital position 4 times and talked with HR 2-3 times b/4 I landed the job). I graduated in May of this year but was offered a position as an RN back in March on the unit where I had worked as a CNA and have been loving it since. Several people I knew who were in nursing school the same time as me who did not want to do CNA work have had a much harder time landing a job, and a harder time transitioning from student to nurse(2 completely different worlds). Basically what I'm saying is if you WANT to be a nurse and are realistic about what's involved and you just put your head down and do the work that it takes I think things take care of themselves. I have found that often people hear a piece of news and twist it around or blow it up and make it something other than what it is--dismiss it. Follow your heart AND be willing to bust your tail.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
A few thoughts: I decided to go to nursing school in '06 because I knew it would be a good challenge for me. I thought it would allow me to work on my interpersonal skills and help me to grow personally, and that's what I wanted more than anything. I never looked at stats or anything. The same I started on my prereq's I started working as a CNA because I wanted to learn about the field I was getting into, which is VERY hard work but something I found to be invaluable, BTW. Much to my disbelief many of my classmates had no interest in working as a CNA.... Anyway, I worked as a CNA for 2 yrs in a nursing home and then for 1yr in a hospital while in school( I applied for the hospital position 4 times and talked with HR 2-3 times b/4 I landed the job). I graduated in May of this year but was offered a position as an RN back in March on the unit where I had worked as a CNA and have been loving it since. Several people I knew who were in nursing school the same time as me who did not want to do CNA work have had a much harder time landing a job, and a harder time transitioning from student to nurse(2 completely different worlds). Basically what I'm saying is if you WANT to be a nurse and are realistic about what's involved and you just put your head down and do the work that it takes I think things take care of themselves. I have found that often people hear a piece of news and twist it around or blow it up and make it something other than what it is--dismiss it. Follow your heart AND be willing to bust your tail.

Jesse, I have no question in my mind that RN is a challenge (both in the class room and in the hospital but do you think the process to getting there really help your interpersonnal skills/ your character and helped you grow as a person. This is one of my main reasons for choosing the profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient oncology.

Andrew, for me it was a huge confidence boost just to get though the prereq's and then nursing school because I was basically a high school dropout with very little self-esteem and not much direction in my life. And as a returning student 15yrs removed from anything academic-related the course work was VERY difficult and I had to bust my tail to get thru it. If I go back four yrs ago I didn't think I would actually make it. When I started Nursing school it gave me a strong sense of purpose and something meaningful to focus on. (having said this I have found that the majority of what is taught in nursing school gets thrown out and the learning begins when we start working--it still meant something to me to get thru it though) Working as a nurse or even as a CNA is a great environment for personal development and interpersonal skills--if you are clear on your intention of wanting to learn and grow. On my unit we have very ill patient's w/ complicated medical hx's and many end-of-life patients--these folks as well as their family members just want someone who cares and is competent. Being in a supportive role w/ multiple demands placed on me and watching patients die who I have developed a relationship with ain't easy, but this is what challenges me the most and is what is helping to grow. And when you are earnest in caring for people you get a lot of affection and meaningful thank-you's in return, which will probably stay w/ me forever. In the midst of supporting people dealing w/ their illness and dying process, I still have to be on my toes for that new admission at 2am, or a patient who suddenly go into rapid a-fib, or that patient who pulled out their IV w/ vancomycin infusing, or that float nurse who makes a short comment and I need to set a boundary.... But I love it! I just happen to be the kind of person who loves being in the middle of the action. There's nothing else I'd rather being doing professionally. Hope this helps a little.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This definitely helps. I've been telling myself that once I get accepted i will get that initial boost of confindence because getting accepted is a goal accomplished in itself. Thank you very much for your input. I look forward to achieving the same motivation that you've shared!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OMG! My sentiments exactly. I should have gone right after I got my lvn license but I waited like a fool:jester:

There were less prereqs and entrance exams back then too. Now everyone and their uncle wants to be anurse. Now schools can be a whole lot more picky:eek:.

Thank God I finally got my acceptance letter for the RN program Spring 2010 :cool:.

I honestly feel that schools will raise their requirements as time progresses. My advice is to get in somewhere asap!

GLTUA:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Interested in hospice & palliative care.
I think you just noticed now that you want to be a nurse.

When I got a Subaru, suddenly it seemed like everyone else was driving a Subaru. When I started driving my Tacoma it seemed like a lot of people were driving a Tacoma too. Was I setting a car trend? Were people copying my style of automotive device? No. Why did it seem like every time I got a new car so did everyone else? Because I noticed all the other cars on the road that were the same as mine. They had always been there, they just stood out because I was driving one too.

I drive a Honda CR-V and I swear that's all I see on the road!! LOL Glad you made that coment because those were my exact thoughts as I have been reading all of these posts!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion