Don't know if I am cut out for Nursing???

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i am beginning my cna program in january and was planning to start my nursing pre req's after that but now after reading some of the articles and posts on here i am seriously starting to doubt myself. i want to be a nurse but i just don't know if i will be able to do it, the med conversions and memorizing the med names and generics. i just don't know. i am overwhelmed because i don't even comprehend half of the things that are being discussed in the forums. i am 28 years old, married and have an 8 year old step daughter. i have never gone to college and this cna class will be my first attempt at any kind of secondary education. i currently work as an order specialist for a electronics distributor, so i have no medical knowledge. i am paid well for what i do, have been doing it for 10 years now so starting school now is scaring the hell out of me. i don't know if i'm cut out for it. have any of you had these fears? in high school i did very well and was on honor roll but that was so long ago...

are there any books that i could begin reading now that will help me decide if this is something that i could get through? i am terrible at math and don't memorize things easily from books. what should i do???

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Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.

I went back to school at 25 and got an AA degree. I went to school again at 34 and earned my BS degree and was 4 classes short of having another BS degree. I returned to school AGAIN 2004 to earn my CNA certification. I worked part time as a CNA while doing my pre-reqs for nursing school. I just passed my NCLEX this month and will be 46 in March. I plan to return yet again and earn my MPH in the next year or two. You are never to old to reach for, and go after, your goals. If you want to be a nurse you can do it. Please make sure you are doing it for the right reasons though. Job security and tons of money are NOT sounds reasons for becoming a nurse. A TRUE desire to help people is a reason to become an nurse cause healthcare isn't easy physically or emotionally. It can be, however, and extremely rewarding job. I wish you the best in whichever path you take. Just reach for what you want and you CAN achieve it.

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Medical lingo is like another language in a way. Of course you do not understand the things that are being said if you have never learned any of it. You wouldn't go on a website that is all in spanish and expect to understand what was being said unless you knew spanish or learned it at some point. Once you begin school, it will start slow and then build from that. If you are willing/able to put in the hours necessary then I think you will be just fine. Honestly, there is very little math, only a few formulas to memorize.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm sure you will be fine. There's no reason why you should be able to comprehend the stuff being discussed on this forum, these people are either in nursing school are already nurses ;)

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You sound like me about 18 months ago when I first decided to go back to school and I was looking through my A&P books....and then again about 5 months ago when I was looking through my nursing books! I always scare myself when I look ahead. You have no idea about anything or how to do conversions because you haven't been taught. NOW when I go back and look at things, I laugh at myself for being scared at one time. As with anything....fear of the unknown can freak anyone out. I read things on this site and it does scare me only because I haven't been taught it yet so I try and not click on subjects I don't know of. Going by my own experience and reading about others here....this feeling never goes away. I've finished up my 1st semester and I know I've learned a lot but feel like I know nothing, lol. Just breath and take it one step at a time. Good luck!

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Just relax! You are not going to know everything with no medical background. Breathe and take it easy! It will come to you in time. You haven't even started school yet, don't stress.

If it makes you feel any better, I went into the Army at 18 and was a medic. Really knew nothing about being a medic. Everything that I needed to know and was expected to due I learned overtime. :up:

I haven't taken a class in about 3 yrs or so. I have been a SAHM(stay at home mom) for the last 7 or so yrs. Have since had 2 more kiddos.

So I will be jumping all in to nursing school trying to juggle school, 3 kiddos (10,5,4), and a possibly deployed hubby!! Oh and I will be 30 when school starts in the fall. :lol2:

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