Should i be a nurse

[londonblue19]

I am a pre-nursing student who has just finished my first yr of college with straight A (these were not easy courses!!!) I have always wanted to be a nurse because i like working with people and helping them overcome their problems. The problem is that i always second guess myself and what if i do something wrong or dont know how to handle a situation. I usually do well in classes with school work but nursing school will be a whole different thing. I got my CNA last yr but had decided not to work yet so i can focus on my studies. I dont even think i know what stress is. My friends complain about having to study for hours and hours for anatomy being totally stressed out when i seem to just understand it when im learning it. iam very good with memorization but my confidence and people skills could use some work. Do i even have what it takes to be a nurse?

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

That is a vague question---only you know if you have what it takes. It takes more than straight As thats for sure!!! You could get Bs and Cs and still be a great nurse. It is not just about the grades. I think by working as a CNA you will have better insight on how to answer that question that only you can truly answer.

Best of luck on what ever path you may take...

[jjjoy, LPN]

It sounds like you've got academic confidence, so maybe you can take advantage of that and go ahead and try working as a CNA. Some students might not be able to work and keep their grades up, but if you can, why not, then? Especially since it sounds like it would be a good experience for you to test yourself in a hands-on environment and to see how you do with that and how you feel about it. Academics ARE important, but so are other aspects of this choice. And this kind of experience might help boost your confidence in wanting to be a nurse, or it might lead you to consider something else. Which would be fine, too!

If you can't find a part-time CNA job that would work for you, then at least look into volunteering where you will be around nurses. Tell the nurses that you are a pre-nursing student and ask them if they could share any interesting cases or procedures with you if they have the time.

Feel shy about that? What's the worst that happens? Perhaps they are too busy and can't be bothered. But perhaps one of them sees themselves in you and makes a point to keep you involved. It can be hit or miss, but you won't "hit" if you don't take aim. And remember that nurses often have to interrupt and ask for help from people who are busy and can't be bothered (physicians, patient families, etc). They must keep trying til they get what they need for their patients.

I think it would be kinda scary to take that step outside of the known challenges of academics to the unknown challenges of working as a CNA (or volunteering, or some other hands on position). I also think it would be worth it, not just for your future career but as a life experience that can help you know yourself in other ways (eg how you handle working in certain situations).

Good luck with whatever you do!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Wow! It does my ancient heart a world of good to see that there are still "young uns" who are interested in Nursing - as a career choice, not just a secure source of income.

The previous posters are absolutely correct.. there's a world of differenc between academic talent and application of that knowledge at the bedside. But you need to trust the 'system' - nursing curricula are designed to produce (ta dah) NURSES. You will have opportunities to learn & practice "people" skills and technical skills - these are built in to the educational process. And you are sooooo right - the courses are Hard - and likely to get even harder. You are probably too young to remember the old tag line "If it was easy, anyone could be a nurse".

My 2 cents - Don't worry so much about "what if". Those awful things you imagine are never going to happen. Keep a journal to record your metamorphosis - In a couple of years, you are going to look back it and marvel at how it all unfolded.

Maybe one day you'll realize that your're "there" - probably as you are driving to work to pull an extra shift as a favor to your manager who thinks the world of you. And - in 3 decades you'll be providing advice to nursing noobs.