Is it a calling or am I just crazy?

Nurses General Nursing

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I went to a community collage straight out of high school. I told myself I am not going to do nursing (because I knew the reality of it) but no matter what I kept venturing that way. I degree hopped from physical therapy to teaching, and of course back to nursing. I eventually "took a semester off" and when I knew I wasn't going back I saved up to take a CNA class so I would have SOMETHING under my belt. I started out at a nursing home and as expected it was highly understaffed everyone's licence were at stake just by clocking in and I am a very petite lady. All the nurses said I did a great job and were amazed that it was my first job (as a CNA) but I did not feel that way and was disappointed. I eventually got a job at a hospital in the ER. It was a new ball game there and I got to see first hand on what nurses went though while working with them. I loved teching there and they said I was doing well (even though ER may have not been the fit for my personality.) Their HUC quit and the one they hired walked off the job and all the older CNAs refused to do it so they pulled me and trained me to HUC which is alot different in the Emergency room.. needless to say it was more stressful than a CNA job mentally (if thats possible) and I eventually quit. I now work in a non medical job that I actually like.. but even though I have told myself medical is not for me I still find myself looking at CNA job openings, and even though I got to see the stress level nurses go though and the brutal reality of it (not sure if i could even cope really) I still look at my old colleges page looking at how I only have 3 classes to apply for their nursing program. Why do I keep leaning back to nursing when I have told myself no. Is it a calling or am I crazy.. haha..

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

The only professions that should be considered a "calling" (in my book) are those in which God supposedly does the calling. Do I believe that Florence Nightengale is calling you into nursing? No. You obviously have an interest, though, and you have seen some of the good, the bad & the ugly already. So I say go for it.

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I don't believe in the whole calling thing. How can you be called to the whole role when you haven't experienced it yet? Are you called to be pulled in every direction at once with a lack of resources and time while maybe/likely not being able to perform up to your employer's and clients' expectations?* Do you wake up wanting to do that everyday? That's much of what nursing actually is.

But you may be wired or have a propensity for much of the role.

Just remember the whole package and not just the romanticized parts of nursing.

*I'm motivated by the challenge to master it and knock it out of the park but I'm kinda an outlier.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
Why do I keep leaning back to nursing when I have told myself no. Is it a calling or am I crazy.. haha..

First 'critical thinking' advice.... your two possibilities may not be an 'either-or' - it could in fact be both - LOL.

Srsly, if you feel that Nursing is your True North (keeps attracting your own internal compass)- Go for it.

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nuns get called to their job lol and we are not nuns!!!!!

I think if anyone were to try to call me to nursing after the week I've had I might just hang up on him.

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Thank you all for the responses! yes i know my calling with god however I think the word calling is being over thought! Maybe in other words "should i go into nursing or not despite it all" lol I love the humor though :)

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Specializes in Pediatric.

It's not a calling.

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

For me, it is a calling! That doesn't mean it's a calling for everyone, but for some people I believe it is. God can call us to do anything not just holy vocations.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Thank you all for the responses! yes i know my calling with god however I think the word calling is being over thought! Maybe in other words "should i go into nursing or not despite it all" lol I love the humor though :)

We're not over-thinking the word calling. It is a connotation associated with nurses - some folks feel that you cannot be a caring or decent nurse if you chose the career for reasons other than a holy calling. Folks who feel that way are usually very vocal about their dedication & devotion to the profession.......and they usually haven't even been to nursing school yet:no:

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
God can call us to do anything not just holy vocations.

I read that as "holy vacations." I thought, "Where do you go for those?" There is clearly something wrong with me!

I don't feel that nursing is a calling for everyone. For some, it's a job/paycheck. For others, it's more. Takes all kinds to make this crazy world go 'round. Personally, I throw myself 110% into my work. Being an ER nurse is a large part of who I am. I seek out learning opportunities/classes on my own. I am dedicated to elevating my profession. But that is how I am — I might just be as tenacious and dedicated in another profession.

OP, if you keep coming back to it, there's a reason. If you don't try, you might regret and/or always wonder. Good luck, whatever you decide!

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