Honestly, is nursing really what I want?

AmandaBrittainy · Apr 26, 2007

First of all nursing is a very difficult profession to work in, don't let the nursing shortage fool you - many people got out of nursing when more opportunities arose for women. But on the other hand, nursing is one of the most pretigious and trusted professions in U.S. It takes a strong, determined person - you either want it or you don't. Go ask someone if you can sit in on a 12 hour shift in a nursing unit and see what you think. Nursing school is doable - don't let old nursing hags scare you (nurses like to eat thier young). You must be determined though, like I said. It is not easy, nor is anything else worth having in most cases. The rewards of nursing are of course the pay, the travel opportunities, the wide array of fields you can work in, and the experiences you will have with patients and co-workers, you will most likely witness miracles more than once and will see once in a lifetime things if you keep an open mind. You will never understand people more yet be so confused about the human race at the same time, that is for sure. I do not regret my choice to become a nurse yet there is much room for improvement in the medical field at this time which is part of most nurses frustrations, don't let that be a deterrant - if anything we can have strength in numbers.

Becca608 · Apr 26, 2007

hi everyone i am obsessed with this website, but i am starting to have reservations about going to nursing school. i have applied to around 10 adn programs for fall 07. i already have 2 assoc. degrees and i just got a great full time job as a clerk with kaiser permanente. to be honest i am not sure if nursing is really what i want...how do you know? i am afraid that if i do get accepted into nursing school in the fall, i will give up everything, including this new job. what if i don't like nursing school? what if it gets too hard and if i am not 100% positive that i really want to become a nurse, i might not be that motivated to finish nursing school???!!! help, i am really stuck! i want to make my parents proud of me, (i still live at home and i am 23 years old)...if i go to nursing school i will continue to live at home for 2 more years with no social life...but if i decide to keep my great job at kaiser i would be able to increase my social life, independence and move out!!! any suggestions or advice is welcomed!!! thanks so much for understanding me!!!

a few questions: what are your associate's degree in? what is so 'great' about the job at kaiser and how much professional growth will that position provide? if kaiser is so 'great', why are thinking about nursing? where do you see you being in 5 years? just some food for thought.

i don't know of anyone that hasn't had reservations about becoming a nurse. its a lot of hard work, but extremely doable. no, you probably won't have much of a social life except other nursing students. yes, you will be financially dependent. but look at the opportunities that you will be given. do your other associates' degrees provide the stability that nursing can offer you?:smiley_ab

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Apr 29, 2007

Why nursing in the first place? What attracted you to it?

I had a good "job" when I started nursing school..but it was just that..a job. If I moved..bye bye good job. I wanted something I can do forever, wherever. I didn't get into nursing because I just love people..I chose it because I wanted to go to college and do something with myself..I wanted to be able to support my family and have security. I wanted the flexibility of schedules and I didn't want to be pigeonholed into something I hate. With nursing there are numerous future career paths. I took prereqs for a year and kept wondering if I was doing the right thing. Now I'm graduating next ..wait THIS week! lol. I have been interning for a year and I've found I really DO enjoy the challenges and I love "most" of the patients lol. And I'm getting a GREAT job compared to my old one, with enough $ to be able to pay all my bills on time, get out of debt, and put money into retirement.

Only you can decide..do you want a "job" now or a career later? Something to think about too is : are intern jobs offered in your area? If so you can get a good job in the nursing world while your still in school! I worked PRN and made the same (actually more with diffs) as at my old good job! :)

ostomyrn2b09 · May 2, 2007

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my post!!! How do you know that you wanted to be a nurse? Are there tell tale signs?? I am very interested in medicine and I have completed all of the prereqs...the OR dept or Peds really interests me...If I chose not to go into nursing and try and excel at my secretarial job at Kaiser, are there any other certifications or degrees or even classes that I could take to such as coding, or being a tech to increase my options at kaiser??? I truly appreciate everyone's comments and advice!!! Once again, keep them coming, and thanks!!!

jjjoy, LPN · May 2, 2007

If you've got a good job and aren't sure about pursuing nursing, then I say stick with the job. You can always apply to nursing school again, and meanwhile, you've got a steady job while waiting. At your job, you might be able to meet nurses and get a better idea of if you want to pursue that. Then, you'd feel more confident in your choice. You may also find in your job at Kaiser that there are other opportunities and directions you might want to pursue.

I wasn't sure about nursing but I enjoyed science and was interested in health care. It turns out that I don't really like nursing and actually like office work! My work is still health related but it's not clinical. Works for me. I hope you find what works for you!

NJNursing, ASN, RN · May 4, 2007

Most nurses I talk to say that nursing was almost a calling for them. I wanted to be doctor or a nurse since I was 5 and that's exactly what I went out to pursue. I've had GREAT jobs: I worked for USPS (the govt pays great with great benefits), was the Asst. VP for a graphics company, worked for a race car team and as an assistant to a chiropractor - but in the end my heart always called me to nursing and finally I said to heck with the job and went back to school. It was hard, don't get me wrong. If you had a hard time through high school you'll have a hard time in nursing school. It requires a lot of dedication, a lot of study, a lot of memorization, tests that'll make you cry when you're done and be on a constant edge of suspense until you get the results. Depending on where you live they can be hard to get into because there's suddenly a mad dash to pump out nurses because of this shortage. If you want, start one class at a time whle you're working or like a previous poster said, try spending a day with a nurse a "Day in my shoes" kind of thing. Some people find they can't stick people, can't take blood and guts and mucous and such. Some people think it's a rush and some people just love people. It's a very personal decision and only you can make it. You're only 23. If you decide the job isn't for you, nursing will always be there and you can always go back to school.