Is nursing right for me?

southernbelle08 · Feb 18, 2009

Honestly, I think that is something only you can tell yourself. Nobody can tell you if you'd be a good nurse or not. Or if you'd enjoy it or not.

I can tell you what I love about my job. I love my patients. I love knowing that I made someone feel better. I love knowing that I used my skill and knowledge to help someone in some way, no matter how big or how small. I don't focus on the body/science as much as I focus on the person/spirit. I love getting to know my patients as individuals. I worked in Oncology for the past 9 months. Death was a large part of that area, unfortunately. There were some days I left work and cried all the way home over losing a patient. I still have patients that I think of often. I think of what wonderful, inspiring people they were and I think about their families and how it must be so difficult to go on without them. I think about how each one of them helped me grow as a person and as a nurse.

I would never recommend this job to anyone because of the money. The responsibility of having someone's life in your hands is very great, and at times can be a little overwhelming in some circumstances. The hours are long, working holidays suck, but despite all of that I can honestly say I love this. I know this is what I was put on this earth to do. This is my calling.

You have to dig deep inside yourself to find out what is right for you. It was a long journey getting to where I am today. Sure, lots of people can pass the classes and get the jobs...but you have to have passion. Ask yourself if that passion is there.

Best of luck in whatever you decide. :)

Oz2 · Feb 18, 2009

Perhaps you should shadow a nurse and get a better feel for what they really do every day?

LilyBlue · Feb 18, 2009

I second the shadowing a nurse part. Nursing is definitely interesting, but most of it is not forensic science -type interesting. And for what you do, it's not really that great of money. Most nurses I've known that went into it for the money soon got out. You can make more as a computer programmer and have better hours, too.

j450n, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

Hi Ibookie,

I can honestly say I echo your sentiments completely. My latest foray of endeavors include public health, law school, teaching, medicine, social work, and now nursing. I've been a CNA for almost two years now and sometimes, I still question whether I want to do it or not. I consider myself to be a good student as well, but for some reason...I just have to try exponentially harder than other students when it comes to sciences. I love public speaking, reading, writing, and researching. I also have an affinity for people and health care. When I'm at work, it feels right...but when other times I am filled with self-doubt and uncertainty. If you looked at my transcript from undergrad, you would think I was a pre-law student more than anything else. If you give me an essay, I will kill it. Unfortunately, no one is going to proctor an exam by saying, "Explain the human muscles or cardiovascular system to me."

Inevitably, I know this is something that I have to figure out for myself. I just wish someone could tell me, you know? It's physically taxing enough when the monotony of school and work takes its toll on your body, but then the aforementioned is augmented even more when you're feeling emotionally lost and confused. I'm sorry I can't offer you much advice, but I take comfort in the fact that others are feeling the exact same way as I am. I wish you the best in your endeavors :)

AnnaSL, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2009

No one can ever tell you if it fits you or Not...

I was like you before, I took Computer Science first because it was in demand, but decided to shift to B.S. Physical Therapist, again, because it was in demand... And we try to have that thinking, how in demand the Job was, or how good is the pay, then we will be constantly Shifting from one course to another.

I assessed myself and I thought that if I continue doing this then, I wont be getting any course completed...

Then, my professor told me how Indemand nursing is, TRUE, I got attracted to what it has to offer and at the same time, having that assessment on my self (and with my Nagging Mom, who constantly tells me you wont attain anything by constantly shifting). I told myself, I'll finished this and Be a Nurse...

My point, Set your Goal, NOW... Assessed yourself if you can withstand the sight of blood, can I do shifting of schedule, am I willing to do calculations and Not give up... Can every hardship that I encounter while studying nursing will not hinder me to still pursue it?

If you are determine and it is in your heart, starting now, I'm congratulating you.. Be consistent and strong... Dont make vain endeavors and put everything in action..

We are all different and Unique.. Nobody can tell you if it suits you or not... As long as you are determined and willing to face a lot of issues in relation with Nursing.. Then you'll be okey... Good luck

melly1151 · Feb 18, 2009

If u r in it for the money, or for the hours...DON'T DO IT. Anyone can be a good student, but not everyone can be a GREAT NURSE! Please realize that even in a Doctors office the hours can be long, and the Doctors can be harsh, whatever is wrong in his /her day will suddenly become your problem. I dont work in a Doctors office, but I know alot of Doctors and interact withalot of Doctors. What u see on TV generally doesn't portray the real life of a nurse. Please only become a nurse if you r in it to help people!!!!

interleukin · Feb 18, 2009

You're an entrepreneur and will be tough to satisfy in a standard work environment.

I say start your own business.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 18, 2009

Am I the only one who is absolutely fascinated with the "Millennial" characteristics of the OP and many responses? How could anyone have tried all those 'endeavors' when they are only 22 or 23 years old?? Sorta sounds like a low boredom threshold to me. I can only imagine how stressful the whole nursing school experience will be for anyone who's natural instinct is to bail when something ceases to be fun and interesting.... wouldn't it be the most stressful situation ever??

I really, really (!) want these bright young things to not only realize that nursing is "for them", but I want them to successfully make it through the educational experience and come out undamaged and whole on the other side. Hmm - as an educator, I am wondering if it's possible to change/update the nursing education process to accomodate Millennials? Can we re-design the whole thing to take advantage of their natural energy and altruism and minimize the 'grind'?

lbookie · Feb 20, 2009

I assume that, as a baby boomer, you clearly have all the answers. I take offense to you catagorizing me as a short attention span "Millennial" based upon the extremely short and incomplete biography I wrote about myself. Maybe you should withhold judgment of your students until you get to know them better. Then maybe you will find they dont 'bail' so quickly when they are not looked down upon from older generations.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 20, 2009

My goodness - did you not read the last paragraph at all? I am advocating for changing the traditional educational process to one that is more appropriate for a new generation - one with very different characteristics than the students for which nursing education was originally designed. We have empirical research which reveals that the cognitive styles of the millennial generation are very different than that of previous generations. This is not not good or bad - it just 'is'.

Thoughful discourse - making an attempt to truly understand the viewpoints of others - is an important skill in nursing.

Oz2 · Feb 20, 2009

I'm 45 and at 22-23 I was drifting too. Not everyone finds their passion or knows exactly what is the best road for them to follow. This is an important decision and a big commitment and I can totally understand the OP's dilemma at that young age.