I'm mainly posting this because my rather unsupportive family has been giving me a lot of doubt about my decision into getting into nursing. I reflected back on my thoughts, and I'm really, really scared that there's a chance that they're right.
- I knew that I wanted to be in the healthcare field ever since I was a kid. I would always proclaim that I would be a doctor. I didn't know what nurses really did. In my mind (as a doctor), I would spend time with the patient and make sure everything was okay. Of course, not a lot of doctors get to spend time with their patients on a personal level (and I guess, not a lot of nurses do either). My family uses the fact that I said I wanted to be a doctor as a kid as ammo against me, and they accuse me all the time of "lowering my standards" or "not using my potential to the fullest."
- I avoided nursing during my undergrad years because I was frightened by blood, did not want to work the "graveyard shift," and because RNs don't get paid as much as MDs, DDS, PharmDs. I made the mistake of not shadowing a RN, even before enrolling in nursing school.
- Two years ago, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. His type of cancer was very aggressive, and left him immobile and very dependent. I knew my mother and brother were disgusted when they had to clean up after him. No, it wasn't my favorite thing to do, either ... but it was not a big deal to me at all. I figured that there are just some people who cannot handle those kinds of things at all, and some who can just take it for what it is. I felt that nursing could use a person with that characteristic.
- Taking care of my dad was hard emotionally. He had his grouchy moments, and even punched me once. I had my fair share of crying. However, there were the times that he thanked me for taking care of him. That was what made me consider nursing in the first place.
- I completed my undergrad with a 3.2 GPA. My science GPA was close to a 3.0, but my major GPA was around a 3.4. It's not BAD, but I don't think that I would get into medical or dental school with that. I also never really had much of an interest in dentistry and it's VERY competitive to get into in my state. I started off as a pre-med student in college, but realized that I wasn't sure if I could handle being in school for so long, being on call and away from my family, etc. My family pushed me to get into pharmacy because it was the "easiest" to get into out of those 3 professions (at least, in my state). I worked as a tech for 1.5 years and did not like it. It was very monotonous work, and I felt like I needed to do more intervening with the patient's health. So, instead of most likely waiting around for an acceptance to a school (in a profession that I didn't have much interest in, if at all), I decided to enroll in an accelerated BSN program.
- I absolutely LOVE what I'm learning in school. Clinicals have been a great experience for me. However, I am scared of all the things I might encounter after hearing a lot of horror stories with patients and doctors. I'm a fairly quiet person, and my family says that's a huge reason why I shouldn't get into nursing. I'll be taken advantage of and beaten up on, according to them. My brother knows people who have graduated and started working. They hate their jobs and wish they could do something else.
- I honestly don't want to work bedside for a long time. I feel that it will be tolling on my mind and body. I have dreams of working at a clinic as a NP while teaching at a university part time. However, I didn't do so hot during my first semester (in fact, I failed pharm). I'm afraid that will hinder my chances of getting into grad school.
I really appreciate any comments you guys may have. I'm sorry that this is so long. My family's discouraging attitude has really been taking a toll on me & I could use any advice.
