Don’t know if I have enough passion for nursing

[Shai1010]

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering if I really have the kind of passion for nursing it takes to get through this rigorous program. I haven't applied yet but I've been looking over the information I would need to know even before I get accepted into the program. I kind of want to pursue psychology but I don't know what I could do with that. I've kind of been focused on the money. I just want to be able to support myself. Any thoughts 💭?

[Emergent, RN]

I never had a passion for nursing. Passion is actually one of those fleeting emotions, like rocket fuel, that burns hot and fast. It blinds people into getting into bad relationships. It is not the foundation for wise choices leading to a solid future.

I had a vision of making a good living, providing my family and myself a secure and prosperous future while doing something interesting.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

How could anyone know if they have a passion for nursing if they haven't been a nurse yet?

I'm in school because I want a relatively stable job, with flexibility (I homeschool my kids and my husband is self employed, so this is really important to me), decent benefits and pay, and I get to wear PJ's to go to work. I do like helping people, but you can do that in almost any job.

I mean, I hope I'll have some sort of passion for it once I get all up in there, but it's not my driving force.

[Shai1010]

I'm already having anxiety attacks about getting into the program. I know I'm more interested in psychology but I could only get a BA

[FutureNurseInfo]

I am in school getting my pre-reqs hoping to apply to a nursing program very soon. I am second degree professional so I am changing careers. I do admit I am changing to nursing for many reasons, one being is the money. I am not ashamed to admit it. I do believe I am a caring person (I am an elementary school teacher), passionate, and I do my job well. But I know just as much as I enjoy human interaction, I may or may not have passion for nursing once I start the program. However, just because I may not have passion for nursing, does not mean I will be a lousy nurse. On the contrary, I will do my job just as well as I do teaching. The point is, you do not have to have passion for nursing to be a good nurse.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I'm already having anxiety attacks about getting into the program. I know I'm more interested in psychology but I could only get a BA

What, exactly, do you want to do in psychology?

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Also, everyone is anxious about getting into nursing school. It's a big deal.

[Zyprexa]

I did well in nursing school and enjoyed it, but I have no passion for being a nurse.

[KiwiKatt]

My immediate reaction to this post was to tell you to NOT PURSUE NURSING if you're in it only for the money. You will be miserable. This is something you have to figure out on your own. I recommend shadowing a nurse for a day or ask some nurses what it's like before you start the program. Nursing is a difficult path and overtime you will hate your job if this isn't what you really want to do. Nursing can be really stressful (just like any other job). Everyone is anxious about getting into school or getting good grades. No one ever goes in or tries for anything without having some worry.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering if I really have the kind of passion for nursing it takes to get through this rigorous program.

It doesn't take passion, it takes determination and self-discipline.

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

I am in school getting my pre-reqs hoping to apply to a nursing program very soon... The point is, you do not have to have passion for nursing to be a good nurse.

This is absolutely true.

I do not have a passion for nursing. I am a nurse for the money, pure and simple.

That said, most people would gladly choose me as their nurse because I am (generally) empathetic, considerate, informative, funny, knowledgeable, and skilled.

Most employers would choose me to work for them because I am (generally) energetic, diligent, prompt, responsive, and reliable.

Most colleagues would choose to work with me because I am also (generally) helpful, supportive, and encouraging.

The degree to which I am described by those adjectives, I seek to be. I want to be that nurse that patients remember fondly, that nurse that the manager doesn't have to think about, that nurse that the doc wants taking care of their most critical patient, and that nurse that people most want to work with.

Why? Not because I'm passionate about nursing but because I am a quality human being who has had many experiences on the other side of the bed rails with nurses both good and bad and I know how important the job is... and because I am the type of person who wants to excel at everything I do.

Nursing is not a calling nor a mission... it is a vocation; one needn't have a passion for it in order to be good at it.

[shabish, CNA]

I am in school getting my pre-reqs hoping to apply to a nursing program very soon. I am second degree professional so I am changing careers. I do admit I am changing to nursing for many reasons, one being is the money. I am not ashamed to admit it. I do believe I am a caring person (I am an elementary school teacher), passionate, and I do my job well. But I know just as much as I enjoy human interaction, I may or may not have passion for nursing once I start the program. However, just because I may not have passion for nursing, does not mean I will be a lousy nurse. On the contrary, I will do my job just as well as I do teaching. The point is, you do not have to have passion for nursing to be a good nurse.

This is me. Changing careers. 40 with kids, wanting a career change and to make more money. I initially thought getting into nursing for those reasons were not good. I thought I needed to have that passion. I'm so glad to hear this and others comments that passion is not needed. I do believe I have other qualities that will make me a great nurse but it's not something I always wanted to do. I'm glad I don't need to feel bad about that.